Road by the Sea — A Quiet Coastal Drive Through Hayama(葉山)
Hayama is a town shaped by an extraordinary balance—cozy cliffside homes perched above a shore where the sea meets the land. Driving along the coastal road, you’ll find two parallel worlds: the deep blue expanse of the ocean on one side, and the warmth of everyday life unfolding atop the cliffs on the other. Perhaps that’s why many Tokyo residents choose Hayama as their weekend home of choice.
Whether the afternoon breeze is sweeping in or the sun is casting a warm glow across the hillside, a simple drive along Hayama’s coastline becomes its own remarkable journey.
Hayama on the Cliffs — A Sunset View in Gold
“A breathtaking moment in Hayama where the sea, cliffs, and sunlit Mount Fuji align”
Hayama is known for its unique landscape of cliffside homes and a road that traces the shoreline. Loved as a weekend escape for Tokyo residents, this quiet seaside town also offers one of the most scenic coastal drives. At sunset, the warm light that washes over the cliffs and rooftops reveals Hayama’s beauty at its most vivid.
Where the City Meets the Sea — The Energy and Surf Rhythm of Kamakura（鎌倉）
Just next to Hayama, Kamakura is alive with both locals and international visitors. The town hums with charming cafés, small temples, curated boutiques, and streets filled with slow yet vibrant energy. But the heartbeat of Kamakura is undeniably the sea—home to one of Japan’s most beloved surfing cultures. Surfers become part of the landscape, rising and falling with the waves as if in conversation with the ocean. I took my first surfing lesson here, feeling the wind, the water, and the rhythm of the coast in perfect sync. Kamakura is a place that reshapes the way a day feels.
Kamakura is known as one of Japan’s iconic surfing hubs.
Surfers catching waves in Kamakura’s energetic coastal waters. The combination of rolling waves, mountain silhouettes, and lively surf culture captures the unique vibrancy of this seaside town.
Elegant Stillness by the Coast — The Hayama–Kamakura Way of Savoring Time
There’s a quiet rhythm that lives along the border of Hayama and Kamakura—gentle as a ripple, yet striking in certain moments. As you drive along the coastline, the sea glimmers at your side, and then suddenly, a railway crossing appears. An old Enoden train glides through, and just like that, the pace of life shifts. Time slows. The sensation of travel deepens.
The soft ring of the crossing bell, the salt in the air, the iconic seaside intersection made famous by manga—here, the ordinary blends seamlessly with the cinematic. Daily life and the traveler’s gaze share the same frame, revealing new expressions in a familiar landscape.
Moving from Hayama’s quiet calm toward Kamakura’s lively streets, you realize the journey isn’t about arriving somewhere—it’s about the flow itself. The scenery transforms with your pace, your mood, your rhythm. From Hayama to Kamakura that flow, and the subtle beauty woven into every moment along the way.
Where Stillness Deepens, Kamakura
Just a short distance from Hayama, Kamakura opens into a world of quiet depth. This is not merely a sightseeing stop—it is a place where time gathers, settles, and shapes silence into form.
The weight of the Great Buddha, the meditative rhythm of the misty bamboo forest, and the soft breath of cherry blossoms around old wooden houses all define the character of this small yet profound city.
The beauty of Kamakura lies not in spectacle, but in the way it gently seeps into you. Here, where the past meets the present in calm harmony, every traveler is invited to pause and listen inward.
Hayama & Kamakura Must-Visit List
Home to the iconic Great Buddha of Kamakura, Kotoku-in offers a profound sense of stillness that has endured for nearly eight centuries. The towering bronze statue, seated outdoors and weathered by time, radiates a quiet presence that invites contemplation and a moment of inward calm.
Known as the “Bamboo Temple,” Houkokuji offers a serene immersion into a lush bamboo grove that feels almost otherworldly. The garden behind the temple captures a delicate interplay of wind, shadow, and filtered light, and enjoying a cup of matcha in the small teahouse completes the quiet, restorative experience.
A specialty roastery offering bold Italian-fusion lunches, paired with a curated selection of vintage fashion pieces—an atmospheric hybrid of taste and style.
A hidden French gem nestled between quiet residential streets—beloved by locals for serving truly authentic French cuisine. Reservations are essential.
A refined Japanese-fusion bistro known for impeccable dishes and sophisticated drink pairings. A must-reserve dining spot.
Tucked away in a small alley, yet opening into a spacious garden and serene Japanese interior. Offers beautifully prepared Japanese set meals in a calm atmosphere.
A tiny but renowned Chinese eatery famous for its intensely flavorful mapo tofu—small in size, big in impact.
A long-established surf school and gear shop that embodies the roots of Kamakura’s surf culture—trusted by locals for generations.
