Kamakura is a coastal city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, well known for its temples and shrines. Located just under an hour from Tokyo, it is a very popular excursion from the capital. So if you are spending a few days in Tokyo and want to go hiking, do not hesitate to go: in Kamakura you will have a lot of interesting things to do.
The city was the political center of the country for a century when the shogun Minamoto Yoritomo chose it as the basis of the new military government in 1192. Today, Kamakura is a popular tourist destination thanks especially to its temples, shrines and, of course, its beaches.
Kamakura is a typical day trip from Tokyo, although with the many temples and shrines out there, plus hiking trails and options to relax, you could even stay 2 days, especially if you like hiking trails or beach activities such as surfing. However, it is normal to go in a single day to try to see the most important and popular temples.
On the other hand, if we go in the summer, the city also has good beaches and is connected with the beautiful Enoden train with neighboring Enoshima, another popular place to enjoy the Kamakura beach.
Kamakura’s Must-See Destinations
Kamakura is often a must-see for tourists arriving in Tokyo, as it offers a spectacular change of scenery: it allows us to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the big city and immerse ourselves in the history and nature of the city's temples and shrines.
The Daibutsu or Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple
Impress us in the grandeur of the Daibutsu or Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple, a beautiful Buddha sitting in the open air, an icon of the city.
Hase-dera Temple
Humble us at the hundreds of jizo statues and the small offerings to the deceased children of Hase-dera Temple. The jizo are guardian deities of children and the deceased - we will tell you more about them in the post linked.
Gokurakuji Temple
If there is time, near Hase-dera Temple, we can visit and imagine how the Gokurakuji Temple once was. It once had almost 50 small temples inside in addition to the 13-story pagoda. Today the only small temple standing is the pavilion of good fortune that has become the main hall of the temple, in addition to the 22nd pilgrimage statue of the 33 Kannon statues, and the 20th and 21st statues of the pilgrimage of the 24 Jizo of Kamakura. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hokokuji Temple
Getting lost in the spectacular bamboo forest of Hokokuji Temple, sometimes called "the bamboo temple" for its forest, although all its traditional garden is simply beautiful.
Zuisenji Temple
Enjoy the zen nature of Zuisenji Temple, located in a small valley and surrounded by nature, especially plums. The temple shows a type of ancient nature, not too worked by man, which surprises many.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Stroll along the sacred Wakamiya Oji path that leads to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Especially because of the stretch called Dankazura in spring, when the azaleas and cherry trees form a spectacular flower tunnel.
Visit the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, one of the city's most important shrines, dedicated to the patron god of the Minamoto family and samurai.
Komachi Street
Buy a souvenir or eat something on Komachi Street, which connects Kamakura Station with Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The street is full of cafés, souvenir shops and local crafts and small restaurants, making it the ideal place to walk.
Engakuji Temple
Climb the cedar wooden stairs leading up to the entrance to the spectacular Engakuji Temple, the second of Kamakura's five great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage candidate.
Kenchoji Zen Temple
Visit the Kenchoji Zen Temple, the first of the city's five great Zen temples. From here we can enjoy fabulous views of the whole city. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Marvel at the beauty of the entrance hall and the facade of the central gate of Jufukuji Temple, the third of Kamakura's five great Zen temples, whose interior is unfortunately not open to the public.
Impress yourself with the beauty of the access stairs and the front door of Jochiji Temple, the quarter of the city's five great Zen temples.
Visit Jomyoji Temple, the fifth of Kamakura's five great Zen temples, which has a spectacular roof in its main pavilion and a beautiful Zen garden.
Meigetsuin temple
Marvel at the hydrangeas that flood the Meigetsuin temple (sometimes called Ajisaidera, as ajisai means hydrangea in Japanese), especially during the month of June, when they bloom en masse. Only the access road to the temple is a marvel, but it is that inside, with a beautiful zen garden and a thousand details... it is worth it!
Tokeiji Temple
Enjoy the miniature beauty of the Tokeiji Temple, which once served as a refuge for women who were abused by their husbands. For this reason it is popularly known as Kakekomidera (temple of refuge) or Engiridera (temple of divorce).
Asahina Kiridoshi
If we have time and desire, we can cross one of the seven steps of Kamakura, such as the incredibly well-preserved pass of Asahina Kiridoshi, a national historical monument as well as a UNESCO World Heritage candidate; the narrow and rugged Daibutsu Kiridoshi pass connecting Kamakura with Fujisawa and Kyoto, another stop is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Kamegayatsuzaka Kiridoshi Pass, popularly known as Kamekaerizaka Pass by the legend of turtles falling on its back on it (kame means turtle) and also a World Heritage candidate; or the Nagoe Kiridoshi promenade, the most strategically important in the area.
Alternatively, if the weather accompanies, we can do some of the hiking trails that connect the different temples and shrines that are in the city. An example would be the Daibutsu Road, which connects the Great Buddha from Kotoku-in Temple to Jochiji Temple via Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine.
In the latter, it is a tradition for visitors to launder their money (zeniarai means "to wash the coins").
See some of the other temples that are candidates for a UNESCO World Heritage Site such as Jokomyoji Temple, burial place of the Hojo clan during the Kamakura era; Kakuonji Temple, with its various Buddhist statues; or Shomyoji Temple, famous for its gardens, yin and yang waterfalls and Fudo Pavilion, which is accessed by stone stairs. In addition, we can also see a Shinto shrine, the Egara Tenjinsha shrine, and ask the deity of literary arts and students for luck and success in our studies.
Climb the moss-covered stone stairs of Sugimotodera Temple, one of Kamakura's oldest temples.
When the tide drops, stroll through Wakaenoshima, the shore that forms the wreckage of Japan's oldest artificial port. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the summer months, cool off at the beaches of Yuigahama, Zaimokuza and Koshigoe, located a twenty-minute walk from Kamakura Station.
Enoden Train
Enjoy a beautiful train tour along the coast taking the classic Enoden train. This train travels about 10 kilometers in 35 minutes and connects Kamakura with Fujisawa, passing through narrow streets and making the route impressive.
Enoshima Island
Take a bath and stroll around the island of Enoshima, enjoying all its tourist attractions, which are many. In summer, the island has a lot of atmosphere, but in winter it also has a lot of charm.
Kamakura has many restaurants, especially in the central streets and close to some of its best-known temples and shrines.
How To Get To Kamakura
The best way to get around is by walking or cycling. We can also use the train to get from one station to the other, and buses to get closer to the farthest temples and shrines. In addition to valid passes for the Kanto area, Kamakura-Enoshima Pass and Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass are popular in Kamakura.
There are several ways to get to Kamakura from Tokyo. For example, we can take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to Kamakura (57 minutes, included in the JR Pass) or take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura (58 minutes, included in the JR Pass).
Alternatively, we can also get aboard the beautiful Enoden train via Enoshima which drops us off at both Hase Station and Kamakura Station. This train is not included in the JR Pass but is included in the Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass. This pass also includes the round-trip ticket from Shinjuku to Kamakura with the Odakyu Line and the Enoden (1 hour 47 minutes, not included in the JR Pass).
From Yokohama, we can reach Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line from Yokohama Station to Kamakura Station (24 minutes, included in JR Pass).