Wakamiya Main Street

Welcome to Wakamiya Main Street, or Wakamiya-oji, the grand central axis of Kamakura. This historic thoroughfare was designed by the first Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, in 1182 to serve as the primary approach to the Tsurugaoka…

The center of Wakamiya Main Street is dominated by the Dankazura, a raised pedestrian walkway. Built in the twelfth century, it was designed with a unique optical illusion: the path narrows and the stone walls become lower as you…

As you move north toward the shrine, you will pass the Second Torii gate. Look closely at the signage and the details around the gate; you will often see the motif of the pigeon or 'hato.' Pigeons are considered the messengers of…

Wakamiya Main Street is lined with businesses that have operated for generations. Among the modern boutiques, you can find traditional 'kissaten' (teahouses) like Iwata Coffee, which dates back to 1945 and is famous for its…

Near the shrine end of the street, Wakamiya-oji intersects with the entrance to Komachi-dori, Kamakura's premier 'shopping street'. While Wakamiya-oji is grand and ceremonial, Komachi-dori is bustling and narrow, filled with over…

While much of the focus is on the medieval past, Wakamiya Main Street also features significant modern architecture. The Kamakura Museum of Modern Art, located near the shrine end of the street, was the first public modern art…

At the southern end of the street stands the First Torii (Ichi-no-Torii), the largest of the three gates. This massive stone structure was originally built in wood in 1180 but replaced in stone in 1668. …

As our stroll along Wakamiya Main Street comes to an end, take a final look down the long, straight vista toward the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū. You have walked the path of Shoguns, experienced the 'peace and tranquility' of the…