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Kamakura Travel Guide

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Kamakura is an ancient capital city located in Kanagawa Prefecture with Kamakura station at its center. The city faces Sagami Bay and is surrounded by hills in the back. In 1192, the Kamakura Shogunate was founded here by Minamoto No Yoritomo, and the city served as capital until mid 14th century. Along with Kyoto and Nara, the city of Kamakura has been designated as an Ancient Capitals Preservation Act Area. Apart from its many historic relics, Kamakura offers other attractions such as the natural beauty of seasons and culinary culture with authentic restaurants and traditional confectioneries. The fact of 18 million tourists visiting Kamakura every year attributes to its easy access from Tokyo by train in less than one hour.

Access

From Tokyo Sta. to Kamakura Sta. (Fare: 890 yen / Time required: 55 min)
From Shibuya Sta. to Kamakura Sta. (Fare: 890 yen / Time required: 55 min)
From Shinjuku Sta. to Kamakura Sta. (Fare: 890 yen / Time required: 60 min)
From Ikebukuro Sta. to Kamakura Sta. (Fare: 890 yen / Time required: 65 min)
*Required time above should be used only as a guide.
*Fare above shows one way fare of JR Line

KAMAKURA TRAVEL SPOT GUIDE

Kotoku-in and The Great Buddha of Kamakura
Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple of theJodo-shu, or "Pure Land" sect, located in the city of Kamakura, and is where the Great Buddha of Kamakura sits. The outdoor bronze statue represents Amida Buddha in deep meditation, and is the city's most monumental landmark. ...
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, one of the most important Shinto shrines in Kamakura, was established in 1063 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, the head of the Minamoto clan. It was originally built as a branch of Iwashimizu Shrine in Zaimokuza, an area in Kamakura city close to the beach. ...
Enoshima Lighthouse Observatory
Enoshima Lighthouse Observatory, aka "Enoshima Sea Candle", stands on the highest part of the Enoshima Island. At 119.6m above sea-level, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounds. On a clear day, Mt.Fuji, the Miura Peninsula and Yokohama Landmark Tower are visible. The sunset on Sagami bay is another feast for the eye.
Enoshima Iwaya Cave
Enoshima Iwaya Cave consists of two caves on the coastline which were created by wave erosion covering a time span of 6,000 years. These caves have long been worshipped as sacred sites, and the enshrinement of Shinto deities on site attests to the profound influence from Shintoism. For a small fee, a candle is provided to help you walk through the darker areas.
Jochi-ji Temple
Jochi-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple ranked fourth of the five most important Zen temples in Kamakura. The temple precinct surrounded by natural forests has been declared a Special Historical Site. After climbing the stone stairway, you will find the bell tower, the "Shoromon". Displayed in the main hall are the temple's main objects of worship; Shaka, Miroku and Amida Nyorai. Near the entrance path there's Kanro no I (the Well of Sweet Dew), one of Kamakura's ten celebrated wells.
Gokuraku-ji Temple
Founded in 1259 by the Buddhist monk Ninsho, Gokurakuji is the only temple in Kamakura of the Shingon Ritsu sect. The temple's principal object of worship is Shaka Nyorai. The founding priest Ninsho constructed hospitals and nursing homes for the sick and poor, and was admired as a living Bodhisattva. The grindstone and stone pestle left near the temple’s main hall are the tools he actual used to grind medicinal herbs.
Komachi Dori
Running parallel to Kamakura's main street of "Wakamiya-oji", Komachi Dori stretches from the east exit of Kamakura station and leads up to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Lining this bustling street are many restaurants, boutiques, and shops selling sweets and souvenirs, making this area an attractive tourist destination.
Enoshima Aquarium
Enoshima Aquarium is located on the Shonan shore where you can view Enoshima island on one side and Mt.Fuji on the other. The facility houses 872 kinds of marine creatures, including jelly fish and deep-sea fish, and replicates the sea life around Sagami Bay. While diverse events are held throughout the year, it features special exhibitions every month.
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura and Hayama
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura and Hayama, was completed in 1951 as the first public museum of modern art in Japan. The facility consists of three buildings; the Kamakura pavilion, the Kamakura annex and the Hayama pavilion. Each organizes 4 to 5 exhibitions a year, and provides new museum experiences.
Kencho-ji Temple
Constructed in 1253, Kencho-ji is the oldest Zen monastery in Japan, and ranks first among the five most prominent Zen temples in Kamakura. The Somon (outer gate), the Sanmon (main gate) and the Butsuden (Buddha hall) are located in one straight line. Some of the structures on the temple complex, together with many calligraphic works and paintings housed there, are inscribed as Important Cultural Properties.
Kamakura-gu
Kamakura-gu, a Shinto shrine built in 1869, is a popular tourist spot among sightseers who visit here to enjoy the colorfully tinted Japanese maple leaves in autumn. The shrine hosts many religious festivities all year around, such as the major annual festival in August, and Takigi-Noh in October, an open-air Noh performed by the light of firewood.