A Rickshaw Ride Through Storybook Kamakura
Of all the places we visited in Japan, Kamakura is the one that has never left my heart.I fell in love with it the moment we arrived in 2009. Every turn seemed to reveal another little treasure.
It was sensory overload in the very best possible way. The gentle tinkling of furin glass wind bells dancing in the breeze. The irresistible aroma of sweet soy glaze sizzling over glowing charcoal. Ancient shrines tucked beneath towering trees.
Kitsune foxes wearing bright red bibs, quietly standing sentinel over the countless shrines. The peaceful presence of the Great Buddha. And every so often, a breathtaking glimpse of Mount Fuji rising in the distance.
Just over an hour by train from the bustling streets of Tokyo, Kamakura feels like stepping into another time. Once the political capital of medieval Japan, today it’s a peaceful seaside town where centuries-old temples, quiet gardens, and winding lanes invite you to slow down and simply wander.
One of my favorite memories was exploring those charming streets by rickshaw with my daughter, Liz. While Steve happily wandered the city on foot, Liz and I climbed aboard one of Kamakura’s traditional hand-pulled rickshaws for a leisurely tour through the historic district. It felt as though we’d wandered into the pages of a storybook, discovering hidden corners and quiet lanes we might have otherwise missed.
A huge highlight of our visit was standing before the Great Buddha of Kamakura—the magnificent bronze Daibutsu that has quietly watched over the city for more than seven hundred years. There was something incredibly peaceful about standing in its presence, surrounded by visitors speaking in hushed voices as everyone paused to take it all in.
As we wandered from shrine to shrine, another delightful discovery awaited around every corner. Beautiful furin—Japanese glass wind bells—hung beneath shop eaves and temple roofs, each with its delicate paper windcatcher dancing in the breeze. Together they created the softest chorus of tinkling notes.
To this day, whenever I hear the gentle sound of a glass wind chime, I’m instantly transported back to those peaceful streets of Kamakura. Above is my own furin bell creation from 2025 incpired by this wonderful memory
But as vivid as those sights and sounds remain, another memory has stayed with me just as clearly. The heavenly aromas wafting down the alleyways. From delicate incense burning at quaint home shrines to the mouthwatering foods.
Every now and then we’d pass a tiny restaurant tucked behind a simple noren curtain. Hidden from view, a small charcoal grill tended quietly inside while the irresistible scent of sweet soy glaze drifted down the narrow alleyways. Before we ever saw the menu, we knew exactly what was cooking. Yakitori.
Tender pieces of chicken on bamboo skewers, slowly grilling over glowing charcoal, brushed again and again with a simple soy and ginger glaze until beautifully caramelized. Simple. Comforting.Absolutely unforgettable.
That wonderful memory became the inspiration for The Yakitori Grill, the newest stop in my Dog in the Kitchen™ Journey Collection.
Rather than recreating one particular restaurant, I wanted to capture the feeling of Kamakura itself—the quiet streets, the timeless charm, the gentle pace of life, and yes… one very determined MOCHI the chow in the recipe illustration , who refuses to travel any way except by rickshaw.
A handful of everyday ingredients come together in a sweet-savory ginger glaze that’s perfect for grilling and easy enough for a weeknight meal at home.
KAMAKURA YAKITORI SKEWERS
Sweet-Savory Japanese Chicken Skewers
Inspired by the charming streets of Kamakura, these classic Japanese chicken skewers feature tender chicken, green onions, and a simple ginger-soy glaze that's perfect for grilling. Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet special enough for sharing with family and friends.Ingredients
Yakitori
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 6 –8 green onions cut into 1-inch pieces (white and light green parts)
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 8 –10 bamboo skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
Kamakura Ginger Glaze
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup sake dry sherry, or Shaoxing wine
- 3 tablespoons mirin or rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all of the glaze ingredients until the brown sugar has dissolved.
- Reserve ¼ cup of the glaze for serving.
- Toss the chicken pieces with the vegetable oil. Thread the chicken and green onions alternately onto the soaked bamboo skewers.
- Brush the skewers generously with the remaining glaze.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes and brushing with additional glaze until the chicken is beautifully caramelized and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve immediately with the reserved glaze for dipping.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over steamed jasmine rice with grilled vegetables or a crisp cucumber salad. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an extra touch of flavor.
Notes
Tips
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breast and develop wonderful caramelization on the grill.
- Soaking the bamboo skewers helps prevent burning.
- A small charcoal grill gives yakitori its classic flavor, but a gas grill works beautifully too.
- The reserved glaze also makes a delicious drizzle over rice.
RIDE WITH MOCHI
Our little traveler chow Mochi, will take you to my shop to pick up your Kamakura recipe card keepsake!!
Explore the collection inspired by this illustration in the Dog in the Kitchen™ store
