Things to do in South Of Tokyo
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Yokohama Archives of History
Displays in English chronicle the city's history, from the opening of Japan through to the mid-20th century. It's inside the former British Consulate, on the main road across from Ōsanbashi pier.
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Zuisen-ji
The grounds of this secluded Zen temple make for a pleasant stroll and include gardens laid out by Musō Soseki, the temple's esteemed founder. To get here, take the bus from stop 4 at Kamakura Station and get off at Ōtōnomiya (¥190, 10 minutes); turn right where the bus turns left in front of Kamakura-gū, take the next left and keep following the road for 10 or 15 minutes.
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Toshimaya
Toshimaya sells Kamakura's omiyage (souvenir) of record, hato sabure, large butter cookies in the shape of a dove (¥84 each or from ¥451 for five).
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Chano-ma
Dine on sushi rolls, salads and croquettes under tall ceilings, while serious club beats play. The most coveted seats are on mattresses, arranged around the open kitchen.
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Kinokuniya
For picnic foods for hiking or beaching, Kinokuniya is a ritzy supermarket out Kamakura station's west exit, with freshly made sushi, deli specialties and baked goods.
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Caraway
This Japanese-style curry shop has an old-world charm and some unusual preparations. Go for the classic beef curry, or spring for chicken curry with Edam cheese.
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Marine Tower
The Marine Tower one of the world's tallest inland lighthouses (106m) which offers a less-razzle-dazzley view over the harbour than does Landmark Tower.
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Windjammer
The setting feels like the inside of a yacht – all the better to listen to live jazz nightly, from 8pm; look for the English sign.
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Snack Stands
The station area bursts with restaurants and snack stands. The streets around Komachi-dōri and Wakamiya-ōji are happy hunting grounds.
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Cosmo World
Next to the Maritime Museum, this amusement park features one of the world's tallest Ferris wheels, Cosmo Clock (112.5m; admission ¥700).
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Bowls Donburi Café
The humble donburi (rice bowl) gets a hip, healthy remake here, with toppings such as seared tuna and avocado. You get a discount if you discover the word atari at the bottom of the bowl. There's an English sign over the doors.
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Mitsubishi Minato Mirai Industrial Museum
This is one of Japan's better science and technology museums, with a wildly enjoyable helicopter simulator and good hands-on exhibits.
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Imo-no-kichikan
Famous for soft-serve sweet-potato ice cream (¥295). Look for the giant plastic cone with lavender-hued ice cream.
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Motion Blue
Upscale venue with a solid line-up of jazz, fusion, world music, J-pop and more.
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Kakuon-Ji
Kakuon-ji features a charming thatched Buddha Hall and hourly tours; the last one starts at 3pm.
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Kantei-byō
Chinatown's heart is the Chinese temple Kantei-byō, dedicated to Kanwu, the god of business.
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Cosmo Clock
Cosmo Clock is one of the world's tallest Ferris wheels, in Cosmo World amusement park.
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Yokohama Port Museum
On the harbour in front of Landmark Tower, this fan-shaped museum is largely dedicated to the Nippon Maru sailing ship (日本丸) docked adjacent. The four-masted barque (built in 1930) retains many original fittings.
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Sông Bé Cafe
This mellow day-to-evening joint near the Hotel New Kamakura serves up dishes like pho and green curry, with vegies sourced from the local farmers market. Look for the terrace out the front and flyers for local events inside.
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Ryūsen
You can't miss friendly old Mr Ma sitting outside his small Shanghai-style eatery with a red awning, as he has done for years. The walls outside and inside are literally wallpapered with photos of tasty-looking dishes.
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Ōsanbashi International Passenger Terminal
Just to the west of the park, this sleek, award-winning pier was designed by Farshid Moussavi and Alejandro Zaera Polo and completed in 2002. It has an attractive roof deck.
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Matsubara-an
This upscale soba restaurant in a former residence captures the feel of early-20th-century Kamakura, when the area was a fashionable summertime retreat. There's no English menu, but you can't go wrong with the tempura seiro soba (al dente noodles served cold) or the set lunch (ranchi kōsu). From Yuiga-hama Station (on the Enoden line) head towards the beach and then take the first right. Look for the blue sign; the entrance is just to the left, with white door curtains.
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Magokoro
With eclectic fare like hemp-seed curry and additive-free sake, this organic joint is a favourite with the local green crowd. From Hase Station, walk to the beach and turn left onto the coastal road; you'll see the 2nd-floor picture windows on your left.
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Kamome
This is the best place in town to catch some serious live music, with a line-up that includes veteran and up-and-coming talents playing jazz, funk, fusion and bossa nova. The interior is stark and sophisticated, the crowd stylish and multigenerational. Exit 3 of Bashamichi station points towards a side road; to get here, follow it for several blocks until you see the small neon sign on your right.
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Ennō-ji
Across the road from Kenchō-ji is Ennō-ji, which is distinguished primarily by its collection of statues depicting the judges of hell. Presiding over them is a statue of Emma (Sanskrit name Yama; an Important Cultural Property), an ancient Hindu deity and ruler of hell's 10 kings. The statue is noted for its fierce gaze meant for the wicked (hopefully you won't have anything to worry about).
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