Welcome to Kamakura—a serene, historic town nestled between mountains and sea, just a short train ride from Tokyo.

This ancient city has been home to more than 150 shrines and temples for over 800 years, each one quietly embodying the spirit of Kamakura. Today, a thriving culture of small businesses and traditional crafts continues to flourish, —many of them tucked into historic buildings, fostering a strong sense of community and local way of life.

Kamakura perfectly blends the old and the new, honoring tradition in much the same way we do at Tsuchiya Kaban. Since opening our first free-standing store here in 2004, we’ve had the pleasure of becoming part of this unique community—and over the past 20 years, our connection to this city has only deepened.

Now, we’re excited to share it with you. In this guide, our own Kayo Iiyama, Manager of the Global Business Department, introduces you to some of Kamakura’s hidden gems—alongside Omar Santis, a visiting musician from Sweden.

Kamakura felt like the perfect place for our first free-standing store.

Kayo: At Tsuchiya Kaban, we design each storefront to reflect the character of its location. For our Kamakura store, we drew inspiration from temple architecture of the late Kamakura period (13th century), incorporating traditional elements into the interior. The walls are finished with Japanese plaster, creating a warm, cohesive atmosphere that evolves beautifully over time—much like our leathers, which develop a unique patina with every use.

Omar: The high-quality products elegantly displayed in this understated space evoke a sense of Japanese humility—the spirit of "less is more."

Kayo: We also furnished the space with antique pieces to let customers experience the richness of Japanese cultural heritage and enjoy a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere as they explore. Leather goods are made to be used for many years, and as leather artisans, we wanted the space itself to express our values and intentions—quietly sharing our philosophy with each visitor.

Omar: I've been looking for a chic leather bag for a long time for everyday use and for my hobby—which is photography! I always look for bags that are functional, comfortable, and embody the refined elegance unique to artisanal leather.

The "Flower Temple"—Kamakura's Oldest

Kayo: One of the reasons Kamakura is so beloved—both as a travel destination and a place to live—is the way city life, nature, and history blend seamlessly into daily experience. Hase Temple—officially known as Kaikozan Jishoin Hase-dera and founded during the Nara period (736 AD)—is one of the oldest temples in Kamakura, and a beautiful, living example of that harmony.

Omar: Gorgeous! The temple stands in the deep green mountains as if watching over the city.

Kayo: There is a gazebo within the temple grounds from which you can overlook the ocean and the city. The walking path is lined with 2,500 hydrangea bushes in 40 different varieties and is said to be one of the most scenic spots in Kamakura.

Omar: There are so many places I want to photograph—both the nature and the architecture are stunning.

Kayo: No matter what time of year you visit, the temple is always beautifully adorned with flowers. This is why the temple is also called "Hana-dera," or "flower temple," and has a reputation for soothing the hearts of all.

Our go-to bakery cafe! 

Kayo: This is our favorite neighborhood bakery-cafe that we visit daily, whether it be morning or night.
The café was renovated to retain the charm of a 100-year-old former liquor store. The beams, walls, and exterior reflect its history, which is one of the reasons we like to bring our overseas guests here.

Omar: Everything looks beautiful and delicious—it's hard to decide! What would you recommend?

Kayo: Croissants and baguettes, of course. But I highly recommend the toast, made with a fluffy Japanese milk bread called shokupan. I especially like the toast topped with local Kamakura seafood, which you can only taste here!