A Taste of Hawaii by the Shonan Coast: Pacific Drive-In, Shichirigahama

10/07/202510/24/2025

Hi! This time, I popped over to Pacific Drive-In, a hugely popular Hawaiian café located right by Shichirigahama Beach in Kanagawa, just a short hop from Kamakura and Enoshima. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy classic Hawaiian-style plate lunches while taking in the Pacific Ocean views – and honestly, it really does feel like you’ve been whisked away to O‘ahu for the afternoon.

In this post, I’ll share the basics: how to get there, what the vibe is like, and the must-try dishes. If you’re into Hawaiian food or looking for a seaside lunch spot near Kamakura, this café should be on your list.

Fancy a brilliant tour of Kamakura and Enoshima?

TOC

What’s Pacific Drive-In?

A popular spot among the younger crowd, this cafe has been a huge hit on Instagram since its opening.

Pacific Drive-In opened in 2015 and has been a favorite with both locals and visitors ever since. The café brings a little piece of Hawaii’s plate lunch culture to the Shonan coastline. You can dine on the terrace overlooking the waves, grab a seat inside, or get your food to go for a beach picnic.

Essential Info

Name: Pacific Drive-In (パシフィックドライブイン)
Address: 2-1-12 Shichirigahama-Higashi, Kamakura, Kanagawa
Opening hours: 8:00–20:00 (last orders 19:30) on weekends and holidays / from 10:00 on weekdays
Closed: Irregular (check socials before visiting)
Access: About 3 minutes on foot from Shichirigahama Station on the Enoden Line (a scenic old railway running between Kamakura and Fujisawa)
Booking: Not available

Parking

The café sits in the middle of the Shichirigahama Seaside Car Park, which has around 370 spaces.
Parking fees are:
• July & August: ¥1,000 for the first hour, ¥500 per 30 min thereafter
• Other months: ¥700 for the first hour, ¥350 per 30 min thereafter

It can fill up on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is wise.

Need a hire car? Search here! Prices from just 6,800 yen a day.

Atmosphere & Seating

Terrace seating

On a nice day, the terrace is the perfect place to sit and relax. You can enjoy your meal with a beautiful view of Enoshima Island.

Wide open, breezy, and perfect for soaking in the ocean views. Dogs are welcome too, so you’ll see plenty of people with their pups.

Indoor seating

The cafe primarily has two-person tables inside, but if you’re visiting with a group of three or more, they will happily seat you at a larger table.

Airy and comfortable, with big windows facing the sea. Great for when the weather isn’t cooperating.
The vibe is casual and relaxed – families, groups of friends, and couples all mix here.

What’s on the Menu and What I ordered?

The menu is very tourist-friendly, with all the dish names written in English and accompanied by photos.

The menu is all about Hawaiian staples. A few of the highlights:

Garlic Shrimp Plate

Don’t be fooled—**the portion sizes here are quite generous.** The shrimp, in particular, was surprisingly large and delicious.

Big, juicy prawns in a garlicky sauce. A squeeze of lemon makes it even better, and it pairs perfectly with plain white rice.

Lomi Lomi Salmon & Ahi Poke Bowl

The poké bowls are incredibly fresh and tasty, a perfect example of what great Japanese cuisine has to offer.

Fresh, chunky cuts of fish, tossed in sesame oil. Light but filling.

Loco Moco Plate

The loco moco bowl is rich and flavorful, a truly satisfying meal.

A classic done right: beefy burger patty, smooth gravy, and that runny egg. Comfort food at its best.

Pacific Garlic Fried Rice

I highly recommend the garlic rice with bacon. The garlic-infused rice paired with thick-cut bacon is a fantastic combination. I couldn’t finish it all, but they were kind enough to provide a to-go box. This is a rare service in Japan, so it was a pleasant surprise!

The garlic aroma, crispy bacon, and buttery corn make this one a crowd-pleaser.

Portions are generous, and if you can’t finish, they’ll give you a takeaway box – ideal if you’re with kids or want to snack later.

Crowds & Waiting Times

If you’re in a hurry, taking your food to-go is a great option. Many people enjoy their meals on the outside terrace or along the seaside.

I visited on a Sunday around 12:30 pm. Takeaway had a short queue of about four groups, but eating in meant a wait of roughly 40 minutes.

There’s a self-check-in tablet outside: you register, scan a QR code, and then track your turn on your phone. It’s actually quite handy, as you can wander along the beach while you wait.

Souvenirs & Goods

They also offer collaboration merchandise which you can purchase online if you fall in love with any of the items.

Inside the café, you’ll also find a small selection of branded items – think bottles, mugs, tote bags, and stickers with laid-back Hawaiian-inspired designs. They make great souvenirs or gifts.

Final Thoughts

If you fancy a bit of Hawaiian sunshine without leaving Japan, Pacific Drive-In at Shichirigahama is just the ticket. The combination of hearty plate lunches, ocean views, and a relaxed seaside vibe makes it one of the best casual cafés in the Kamakura/Enoshima area.

Whether you eat in, grab a takeaway for the beach, or pick up some stylish merch, it’s the kind of place that turns a simple lunch into a mini holiday.

Everyone heads to these spots in Kamakura and Enoshima!