Kokodo Tunnel: Gateway to History

A Hidden Passage Linking War-Era Stories and Everyday Life in Kita-Kamakura

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As you walk through the quiet residential area of Kita-Kamakura, a red-gated tunnel suddenly appears before your eyes. Its name is “Kokodo.” This tunnel stands as a witness to history, as if it has transcended the flow of time to live on in the present day.

The gate is inscribed with the words “Kokodo,” “Okaiseki,” and “Jingisukan Cuisine,” indicating that it was once the entrance to the restaurant “Kokotei” that existed beyond it. This restaurant is said to have opened around 1949 (Showa 24) and continued operating until around 2004. (kamakura.press)

Stepping inside the tunnel, you are greeted by simple walls that vividly retain the marks of hand digging. Along the way, there are sealed side holes to the left and right, which are said to have been used as air-raid shelters during the war. (locipo.jp)

Passing through the tunnel, you find a quiet residential area spreading out before you. There are few traces left to remind one of the bustle that once existed, but the tunnel is still used as a thoroughfare by local residents. This place, where history and daily life intersect, leaves a deep impression on those who visit.