Nakanosaka — Restaurant in Kamakura

A hidden gem tucked away just 5 minutes from the “quiet” exit of Kamakura Station.

We stumbled upon this charming spot without a reservation, but were kindly welcomed in thanks to our early arrival. The moment we stepped inside, we were transported back to the Showa era—dim wooden interiors, calm ambiance, and a nostalgic touch that made us slow down and breathe a little deeper.

The menu was a treasure trove for seafood lovers and sake enthusiasts. The staff introduced us to a few rare sake labels we’d never tried before (and now can’t stop thinking about). But the showstopper? The grilled hamaguri—huge, juicy, and fresh from the in-house tank. It was love at first bite.

The chef, a quiet veteran with that “seen-it-all” kind of presence, didn’t chat much with us newcomers, but lit up when greeting his regulars—a scene that felt somehow heartwarming rather than distant. The servers struck the perfect balance: attentive, not overbearing, and great at recommending dishes without a sales pitch.

We’ll definitely be back, hopefully with more time (and an emptier stomach) to explore the rest of the menu and sake list. This place is the kind of quiet magic you almost don’t want to share—but it deserves...

This place probably served locals most of the time as the friendly manager asked me how I found their restaurant haha. I replied that I saw good reviews on Google Maps hehe.

Anyway it gave me the vibes of a traditional restaurant where the chef was very focused at work and didn’t talk much. Well, most important was the quality of the food! I went with their recommendation of 5 different types of sashimi and everything (maguro, isaki, buri, saba, aji) was so fresh! TBH, if I was staying in that area for a few days, I wouldn’t have minded returning to try their other dishes as they had a wide menu! Next trip then 🤭

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A nice old-school restaurant tucked down an alleyway in Kamakura. If you want an authentic Japanese dining experience (tatami mats and sliding doors)...this is a good choice...especially if you are dining with more than 4 people.

Most of the menu focuses on fish dishes from sashimi to grilled fish. All of good quality. the highlight of our last meal was the sake. The restaurant has a great selection...and more importantly, a VERY knowledgeable waiter...a sake sommelier.

English food...