Enjoy a Date, Swimming or Walking at Yuiga-hama! Introducing Nearby Cafes and Access! 

If you go straight along Wakamiya Oji from Tsuruoka Hachiman-gu, you will reach a large and beautiful coast called Yuigahama. The coast is loved by the old and young, men and women alike as a place where you can enjoy a date, a swim, or a walk. If you travel to Kamakura for sightseeing, this beach is a must-see regardless of the season. I will introduce the charms of Yuigahama, its nearby cafes, and how to get there.

Characteristics of Yuigahama Beach

Yuigahama was called “Maehama (foreshore)” in the Kamakura period because of its location in front of Tsuruoka Hachiman-gu. It is said that the “Yui” in Yuigahama comes from the word meaning “collaboration,” and that the beach was used as a training ground for mounted archery arts such as Yabusame (Formal Japanese archery shooting three times at three wooden targets), Kogasagake (similar to Yabusame, but more casual and has developed as a practice of martial arts), and Inuoumono (chasing and shooting dogs from horseback, the arrows used were usually rendered non-fatal, by being either padded or blunted). As a result, even today you can find horse bones along the beach. In addition, it is said that the warrior procession during the Kamakura Festival, which began in Year 34 of the Showa period (1959), would reach all the way from Tsuruoka Hachiman-gu to Yuigahama, around 2 km.  

In Summertime, Yuigahama is the Perfect Place for Families and Romance

Yuigahama was called “Maehama (foreshore)” in the Kamakura period because of its location in front of Tsuruoka Hachiman-gu. It is said that the “Yui” in Yuigahama comes from the word meaning “collaboration,” and that the beach was used as a training ground for mounted archery arts such as Yabusame (Formal Japanese archery shooting three times at three wooden targets), Kogasagake (similar to Yabusame, but more casual and has developed as a practice of martial arts), and Inuoumono (chasing and shooting dogs from horseback, the arrows used were usually rendered non-fatal, by being either padded or blunted). As a result, even today you can find horse bones along the beach. In addition, it is said that the warrior procession during the Kamakura Festival, which began in Year 34 of the Showa period (1959), would reach all the way from Tsuruoka Hachiman-gu to Yuigahama, around 2 km.  

We also recommend Yuigahama because the beach is equipped with showers and restrooms, so you can easily wash off any sand before going home. 

※WARNING
Please be aware of the trash you leave behind, especially in the summer season. To keep Yuigahama beautiful, take your trash home and be respectful while sightseeing.

Highlights

There are many places and sights to enjoy in Yuigahama, so we recommend you to check out the following to have the best trip possible! 

Seasonal Atmosphere and Scenery

Yuigahama is a beach with different atmospheres depending on the season.  In spring and fall, the pastel-colored sea, sky and clouds create a view not unlike a painting.

In summer, the green of the mountains in Zushi and Inamuragasaki, the blue of the sea and sky and the white clouds, all colors in stark contrast, pair with the shining sun to evoke the true feelings of summer. You can enjoy yourself just by gazing at the scenery, swimming aside. 

As visibility increases during the winter, you’ll be able to clearly see Izu Oshima and Izu Peninsula from the beach, and we also recommend visiting during the magic hour in the same season. The gradation from the blue sky to the orange rising sun, like art created by nature, is sure to leave an impression.  It’s so beautiful you’ll even forget about the cold weather. Definitely come to see it yourself. 

Kamakura Seaside Park

Kamakura Seaside Park is located right next to Yuigahama.  Many children and adults come to this park every day both to play and relax. You can even lay out a picnic blanket on the lawn and unwind, so you should definitely stop by on your trip.

“The Song of Sakura Shells” Monument

“The Song of Sakura Shells”, was composed by Hideaki Yashima, a well known 20^th century film composer who lived in Kamakura. Yashima composed the song in 1945, taking inspiration from the many beautiful pink “sakura shells” that can be seen in Yuigahama. At that time, the beach was so covered in fallen cherry blossoms that it seemed to shine pink. While the number of sakura shells on the beaches has decreased, the song now serves as a theme for environmental conservation, specifically to restore the sakura shells in Yuigahama, and the above stone monument commemorating the song was also erected along the beach.

Cafes, Bars and Restaurants around Yuigahama

There are tons of fashionable eateries in Yuigahama. We recommend you check them out if you’re looking to spend time at a cafe overlooking the sea or if you want to enjoy delicious gourmet food near the beach. 

Cafe Sakanoshita

Cafe Sakanoshita is a traditional-style cafe where you can enjoy exquisite pancakes in a calm atmosphere. There are not only sweet pancakes, but pancakes you can enjoy as an entire meal. The cafe has a great atmosphere where you can relax and chat near the sea in a building that feels very “Kamakura.” The cafe became particularly famous as a drama filming location, and it’s visited even now by tourists and locals alike. We recommend this cafe for its Kamakura-like atmosphere, delicious food, and its nearness to the sea.

Seedless Bar

We recommend Seedless Bar for those who want to enjoy alcohol and food while looking out over the sea of Yuigahama. The California-style restaurant is always bustling. It has a wide variety of products, ranging from Salisbury steak to marinated dishes to french fries, all of which are very popular. The Seedless Bar was also a filming location for the famous drama “My Second Last Love,” so it’s fun to visit the bar after you’ve seen the drama.

Matsubaraan

Matsubaraan is a soba restaurant remodeled from a Japanese traditional home. The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere, and is popular regardless of season. It is a short walk from the sea, so you can’t see the ocean, but we still recommend a visit to Matsubaraan if you’d like to enjoy a delicious meal.

Yuigahama Parking Information

There are several places where you can park near Yuigahama, including the Yuigahama Underground Parking Lot. During the summer season, the parking lots tend to fill up from early in the morning. We recommend you reserve lots of time to search for a parking space if you are driving to Yuigahama. 

Access to Yuigahama

Yuigahama is about a 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station along Wakamiya Oji, a large walking street. Wakamiya Oji reaches all the way to the sea, and includes many cafes and marine goods stores, so we recommend you check it out. For those who would like to rent a bike, there is no dedicated bicycle storage space, but there are places where you can park your bike.

Please Enjoy Nature at Yuigahama on Your Trip to Kamakura!

As Yuigahama is a shallow sea and surrounded on both sides by mountains and towns such as Zushi and Inamuragasaki, it’s a friendly and safe beach. You can enjoy the view in all four seasons, so, on a trip to Kamakura, we recommend you drop by Yuigahama if you would like to take it easy and enjoy nature. Speaking of Kamakura, while Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, Hase-dera, and the Great Buddha are famous destinations, we recommend taking a look at the sea in Yuigahama while you’re here.