Honkane Benten Chaya 洪鐘弁天茶屋

Tranquil lookout over Kamakura Valley

This tiny teahouse has a long name - it's named for the historical treasure, Honkane, the bell that hangs at the top of the lookout over Engakuji. It's also next to a Benzaiten sanctuary. The place is easy to miss. You have to walk up a steep staircase on the south side of Engakuji to find it. The tiny tea house has outdoor seating overlooking the valley. From here, you can see the greenery and watch squirrels in the trees and the tombi hawks overhead. The tea house serves light refreshments such as amazake, tea, and sweets.