Study Abroad Diaries: JaQuerra -Kamakura

Japan offers numerous beautiful and exciting places to explore. Some notable places are the Izu Peninsula, Kyoto, and Osaka. For JaQuerra, one area stood out the most: Kamakura.

Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, renowned for its stunning views, temples and shrines, and a beautiful beach.

“I loved going to Kamakura! It was such a beautiful place. I’d seen videos of Kamakura on Instagram and found out it was around 2 hours away from me [Kamikita House Dorm] by train. It was cold the first time I went, but the beach was stunning! The water was the bluest I’d seen in a long time! I went a couple of times and enjoyed every time I went.”

“Komachi Street was one of my favorite places to go when I went to Kamakura. It is close to the train station [Kamakura Station]. The street is lined with shops and so much food! If I could, I would try everything, but there were so many options to choose from. Of course, I bought matcha any chance I got. I also found chicken skewers, dango, taiyaki, fresh fruit juices, seafood, ice cream, French toast, and so much more!”

“The shops on Komachi Street are great as well. There was a jewelry shop where I bought earrings from my sister. There was also a cat café, which was really cute. My favorite stores were the Studio Ghibli fan stores. I’m a fan of Studio Ghibli, so I was excited when I saw these shops. They were nature-themed and were filled with books, toys, folders, bags, and other merchandise. I bought postcards that had scenes from the movies “My Neighbor Totoro”, “Howl’s Moving Castle”, and “Spirited Away”.

“Walking around Kamakura is extremely relaxing. I would recommend that anyone who visits walk throughout the neighborhoods and the city area. You could even rent a bike to ride around if you prefer, but I enjoyed walking. While walking, you can find great restaurants, like the Okinawa-inspired one. There is also a sandwich place close to the beach named Kua Aina. The flowers are a highlight of my walks. I love flowers and always take pictures of them wherever I am.”

“The beach is the best part of my trips to Kamakura. It was so relaxing to just sit on the beach and look and the water. Playing in the water is fun too. I realized how clear the water was when I walked in it. I could see small fish swimming around and many seashells. Watching people surf or ride their boats on the water was fun. The cool breeze and the warm sand during the spring was perfect. The beach was still gorgeous even when the sun wasn’t out, but I am biased because I love the beach. Overall, sitting at the beach is so peaceful, especially since the beach is never crowded.”

“Kamakura is an amazing place to go when you have no class for a holiday, or on the weekend, or if you simply want to be at the beach. I recommend having more than 2,000 yen on your Pasmo (train) card, as the fare to Kamakura is approximately 1,000 yen, depending on your departure point and the trains you take. From my dorm, Kamikita House, it was around 900 yen each way. Lastly, don’t forget to get a stamp from the train station!”