Must-Try Foods In Meigetsuin Temple (Kamakura) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Meigetsuin Temple, Kamakura, Japan

Meigetsuin Temple, known as the "Hydrangea Temple" for its stunning display of flowers in June, is steeped in the serene beauty of Kamakura's religious culture. The temple was established in the late Kamakura Period (around the 14th century) and adheres to Rinzai Zen Buddhism. The food culture in this area has been heavily influenced by Zen-Buddhism, particularly the tradition of shojin ryori, a type of vegetarian cooking that seeks to avoid harm to living beings. Shojin ryori traditionally consists of seasonal vegetables, legumes, and seaweed, artfully prepared to balance both flavor and nutrition, aligning with the Buddhist principles of respect for life.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Meigetsuin Temple, Kamakura, Japan

1. Shojin Ryori (Vegetarian): A traditional Buddhist cuisine that consists of various vegetarian dishes made without animal products, focusing on simplicity and balance.
2. Matcha Tea (Vegetarian): Finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea, traditionally served during tea ceremonies.
3. Onigiri (Vegetarian options available): Japanese rice balls which often come with a variety of fillings and are wrapped in nori (seaweed).
4. Miso Soup (Can be vegetarian): A traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which softened miso paste is mixed, often containing seaweed or tofu.
5. Pickles (Tsukemono) (Vegetarian) : Preserved vegetables that have been pickled in salt, brine, or a bed of rice bran.
6. Yuba (Vegetarian): Also known as tofu skin, yuba is a delicacy made from the skin that forms on the surface when soy milk is boiled.
7. Kamaboko (Non-Vegetarian): A type of cured surimi, a processed seafood product, that is steamed to form a firm, cake-like loaf.
8. Anmitsu (Vegetarian): A traditional Japanese dessert made of small cubes of agar jelly, served with sweet azuki bean paste, mochi, fruits, and syrup.
9. Kaiseki Ryori (Can be vegetarian): A traditional multi-course Japanese dinner that features a sequence of small, artfully arranged dishes.

Top Famous Restaurants near Meigetsuin Temple, Kamakura, Japan

• Ishikawa
  1 Chome-8-29 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0005, Japan

  Famous for: Shojin Ryori (Vegetarian)

• Kamakura Matsubaraan Keyaki
  2 Chome-8-10 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0006, Japan

  Famous for: Soba Noodles (Can be vegetarian)

• Restaurant Tougakuan
  1 Chome-31-20 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan

  Famous for: Tempura (Can be vegetarian)

• Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
  Near Komachi St., Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan

  Famous for: Onigiri (Vegetarian options available)

• Kamakura Gozan
  6 Chome-25-17 Ōgigayatsu, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0011, Japan

  Famous for: Miso Soup (Can be vegetarian)

• Osaragi
  2 Chome-10-1 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0006, Japan

  Famous for: Kamaboko (Non-Vegetarian)