About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Area Map | Attractions
About
Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, about 50 kilometres south of Tokyo. These days Kamakura is a small city (with lots of tourism) but at one time in history was the de facto capital of Japan during the Kamakura Period. Kamakura is now a "mini-get-away" for Tokyo'ites who want a day of fun visiting temples, shrines, shopping, hiking and a variety of other interesting destinations. During the summer and festival times the city can get packed with tourists as it is so close to the largest city in the world, Tokyo. It is also a great "Day Trip" destination for foreign tourists who are visiting Tokyo as it can be reached quickly by train (about an hour) and has a lot of Japanese culture to offer international visitors. The city sits in a "bay" with a beach front that is very popular in the summer for beach go'ers. On the opposite side of the city, hills surround Kamakura making it a great place to take walks on a variety of trails that meander through the woods and give great photographic opportunities as the trails climb high into the hills over-looking Kamakura.
Although there are many interesting temples and shrines in Kamakura you should probably make it a point to see the two "main" attractions first, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha of Kamakura). By the time you walk up and down the stairs at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and then make your way over to Kotoku-in... you may be worn out or "temple'd out", as they say... and you don't want to miss these two famous spots. If your in Kamakura during the summer, you might even want to consider bring a beach bag and taking a break the beach for a couple/few hours. In Japan they have what you call "Beach Houses" (about 1,000 yen per person, all day) where you can sit under a roof on nice tatami mats and have access to showers.
Access
by Train
- from Tokyo Station
- JR Yokosuka Line - around 920 yen and takes about 1 hour
The JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo Station connects directly with Kamakura Station. The train is an express train and makes various stops along the way.
- JR Yokosuka Line - around 920 yen and takes about 1 hour
- from Shinjuku Station (Tokyo)
- JR Shonan Shinjuku Line - around 920 yen and takes about 1 hour
The JR Shonan Shinjuku Line line from Shinjuku Station connects directly with Kamakura Station. The train is an express train and makes various stops along the way. - * Odakyu Railway - around 1,470 yen for a Round Trip ticket and takes about 1.5 hours
Odakyu Railways offers a "Enoshima Kamakura Freepass" which includes the round trip from Shinjuku to Kamakura plus unlimited usage on the Enoden Train (a local train in Kamakura). Please see the "Enoshima Kamakura Freepass" page for more information.
- JR Shonan Shinjuku Line - around 920 yen and takes about 1 hour
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
Area Map
Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Kamakura. View all Attractions in Kamakura.
Kotoku-in
Hours: April - September: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, October - March: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
The Big and Famous Buddha Statue in Kamakura is called, Kamakura Daibutsu which is a colossal copper image of Amida-butsu (Amitabha Buddha), the principle image of Kotoku-in. It was cast in 1252 and originally was inside a large temple hall but the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by... more details
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Hours: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., October - March opens from 6:00 a.m. (last entry 30 min. before closing)
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
Although the big Buddha across town gets his picture taken a lot, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most popular destination for tourists, mainly Japanese. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura Japan. The shrine hosts many of Kamakura's festivals an... more details
Engaku-ji
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (until 4:00 pm December - February)
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
Engaku-ji is Zen Buddhist temple complex in Kamakura (near Kita-Kamakura station) Japan. It is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temple complexes in Japan and #2 of Kamakura's five great Zen temples. Hojo Tokimune, the strongest man in Japan at the time, ordered the temple be built ... more details
Meigetsu-in
Hours: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (8:30 am - 5:00 pm in June)
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
Meigetsu-in is a Rinzai Sect Zen Temple in Kamakura Japan. It was ordered built and founded by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful Uesugi clan as a memorial to his father and construction of the initial grounds were completed in 1383. The temple is most famous for two things, 1.) the blue Hydran... more details
Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine (usually just referred to as Zeniarai Benzaiten) is a Shinto Shrine in Kamakura Japan. Its not a very big shrine but is is very popular! The 2nd most popular place for Japanese tourists to visit in Kamakura. So... its small... "why is it so popular&... more details
Hokoku-ji
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.
Map: Google Map
Hokoku-ji is a temple in the of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism located in Kamakura, Japan. The temple is famous for the beautiful bamboo grove behind the temple's main hall. Hokoku-ji's bamboo grove has over 2000 bamboo stalks. A few beautiful pathways lead through the bam... more details
copyright Lydia Liu (license)
Kotoku-in, the Big and Famous Buddha Statue in Kamakura is called, Kamakura Daibutsu which is a colossal copper image of Amida-butsu (Amitabha Buddha), the principle image of Kotoku-in. The fact that it sits in the open air makes it unusual among large Buddha statues in Japan. The Great Buddha...see more details.
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Engaku-ji Temple is Zen Buddhist temple complex in Kamakura (near Kita-Kamakura station) Japan. It is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temple complexes in Japan and...see more details.
copyright Urashimataro (license)
Hase-dera Temple is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kamakura Japan. Hase-dera is famous for housing a massive (9.18 meter tall) eleven-headed (each head represents a different phase in the search for enlightenment.) wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The statue can be viewed...see more details.
copyright Chris 73 (license)
Hokoku-ji Temple is a temple in the of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism located in Kamakura, Japan. The temple is famous for the beautiful bamboo grove behind the temple's main hall. Hokoku-ji's bamboo grove has over 2000 bamboo stalks. A few beautiful pathways lead through the bamboo forest to a tea house...see more details.
copyright Tarourashima (license)
Meigetsuin is a Rinzai Sect Zen Temple in Kamakura Japan. It was ordered built and founded by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful Uesugi clan as a memorial to his father and construction of the initial grounds were completed in 1383. The temple is most famous...see more details.
copyright Fg2 (license)
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Although the big Buddha across town gets his picture taken a lot, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most popular destination for tourists, mainly Japanese. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most important Shinto shrine in the city of Kamakura Japan. The shrine hosts many of Kamakura's festivals and has two museums on its grounds. Founded in 1063 by Minamoto Yoriyoshi...see more details.
copyright Σ64 (license)
Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in Kamakura Japan. Its not a very big shrine but is is very popular! The 2nd most popular place for Japanese tourists to visit in Kamakura. So... its small... "why is it so popular" you ask? Because... the waters of a spring in its cave are said to be able to multiply the money...see more details.
