Hachinoki - Kamakura

I called there the other day to ask about Shojin Ryori because it wasn't mentioned it on their Website menu. They told me they aren't serving Shojin Ryori anymore.

There are actually two different restaurants in one the main entrance (beside a beautiful garden) is to the non vegetarian restaurant which is what is listed in the Michelin guide. A smaller, non obtrusive entrance (as in doesn’t look like an entrance) is about 20 metres to the left of it. This is the traditional, and as far as I know, vegan only, part of the restaurant. Food was a amazing in the way that only the simple flavours of Shojin Ryori can be relying on the flavours of the ingredients to direct the meal rather than layer on the seasonings. We had the 4500 yen meal very filling, several courses and two different teas. Perfection.

English follows Japanese 先日北鎌倉にある『鉢の木』と言う精進料理のお店に行ってきました。 清潔な広い店内で、中居さんの接客もとても心地よく、小鳥が水浴びに来ていた中庭の小川を見ているとストレスが洗い流された様でした。 私たちが今回注文したコースは『松』で９種類以上の料理が絶妙なタイミングで運ばれてきました。 全ての料理が多すぎず、少なすぎず丁度いい量で心もお腹も満たされました。 安いお店ではありませんが、なにかの記念日などで利用するととても良い思い出になると思います。 Shojin ryori, or Buddhist cuisine, is the traditional dining style of Buddhist monks in Japan. It’s made without animal products (except for the occasional fish dish— check to make sure your meal is vegan) and features seasonal vegetables and tofu, meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. We had our first shojin ryori experience at Hachinoki, a quaint little place located in Kita-Kamakura. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I have pretty simple tastes

As I live close to Kamakura, I have visited Hachinoki a number of times solo and with guests, and it is always an outstanding dining experience. From the flawless presentation to the creative incorporation of local, seasonal vegetables, Hachinoki is a fantastic introduction to Japan’s traditional vegan cuisine served at Buddhist temples. The garden view seating is also a huge plus, as it is incredibly peaceful and adds to the very Zen ambiance (be sure to request seating with a garden view it is not always available). Also note that you will need to remove shoes as the flooring is tatami, but you are served at a table and sitting in chairs, not on the floor at a low table as is common with other shojin ryori restaurants. It’s also very convenient to the train station and is about a five-minute walk. Be sure to visit nearby temple Tokeji after your meal; this former nunnery hosts an amazing garden and also offers shakyo and zazen.

Located in an atmospheric building. My favorite dish is the fake meat that they put on top of the rice. They sell it in jars for you to take home. I believe they do use fish stock (katsuo dashi) in some dishes so I always specify no fish stock when I make the reservation. You have to take your shoes off when you enter, so wear nice socks. Their hours are limited.