Kamakura Komachi-dori

**Crowd avoidance:** Weekends 11:00–16:00 see intense crowding — the narrow street (3–4 meters wide) becomes shoulder-to-shoulder, making photography difficult and browsing slow. Weekdays are 60% less crowded (still busy but manageable). Early morning (9:00–10:30, some shops not yet open) or late afternoon (16:30–18:00, shops begin closing) offer thinner crowds. If visiting weekend, prioritize morning arrival (9:30) to walk street before peak crush. **Must-try street food:** Freshly grilled senbei (煎餅, rice crackers) — shops grill crackers over charcoal, brush with soy sauce, and serve immediately (crispy, fragrant, ¥300–500). Look for shops with visible grilling (煙 smoke = fresh). Kamakura croquettes (鎌倉コロッケ) — various fillings (potato, curry, minced meat), fried to order, eat while walking (¥250–350, shops have long lines but turnover is fast). Matcha/sakura soft-serve ice cream (抹茶・桜ソフトクリーム) — seasonal flavors, photogenic, ¥500–600. Budget ¥1,500–2,000 to graze multiple items while walking street. **Souvenir recommendations:** Kamakura-bori (鎌倉彫, carved lacquerware) — trays, bowls, and containers with relief carvings coated in lacquer (¥5,000–30,000, high-quality traditional craft). Kencho-ji Temple incense (建長寺線香) — temple-grade incense sticks sold at specialty shops (¥1,500–3,000, premium scents). Kamakura craft beer (鎌倉ビール) — local brewery's lager/ale/stout (¥800/bottle, available at liquor shops along street). Hato Sabure (鳩サブレー, dove-shaped butter cookies) — Kamakura's most famous souvenir sweet, produced by Toshimaya since 1894 (¥700/5 pieces, flagship shop on Komachi-dori).