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Kamakura is a popular tourist destination, less than an hour south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture. The town is historically important, as it was briefly the capital of Japan when Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo established his new government in the area in 1192. Today, it is dubbed the Kyoto of East Japan, with Zen temples and shrines aplenty to explore; the town is popular as a day excursion from the nation’s capital. Kamakura’s greatest attraction is the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), a 14-metre tall bronze statue of the Amida Buddha that is much photographed and featured in tourist brochures and promo’s.

Almost as famous as the Daibutsu is Kamakura’s best known souvenir, Hato Sabure, a dove-shaped biscuit that is sold in a little shop/bakery called Toshimaya. Mel and I were intrigued by the dozens of Japanese tourists carrying the distinctive yellow bags from Toshimaya. We figured that it was probably the done thing to buy some of these biscuits whilst in Kamakura.

Although the packaging was certainly gorgeous, the Hato Sabure itself was OK, resembling in taste to a buttery and eggy crispy biscuit. It was nothing to shout about, but people seemed to be really into it. Oh well, when in Kamakura, do as the Kamakurans do. That’s the beauty of Japan. Each region is famous for something, and to the rule-loving Japanese, it is the done thing to get whatever it is that a region is famous for, because that’s what you’re supposed to do

Written by ElegantGourmand on December 17th, 2007 | Tags: bakery, biscuits, Japan | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL