Hachinoki Kita-Kamakura

One of the most respected shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) restaurants in Japan, Hachinoki sits near Kencho-ji Temple in the quiet Kita-Kamakura neighborhood. Multi-course meals present seasonal vegetables, tofu, yuba, and mountain herbs in the refined, contemplative style originally developed for Zen monks. Each dish is small, deliberate, and beautifully plated. At around 4,000 yen for lunch, it is not casual dining, but the experience offers a genuine taste of a centuries-old culinary tradition in an appropriately serene setting.