Kamakura is a city located in the southern part of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is one of the most popular cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, visited by tourists as a day-trip because of its close distance from Tokyo. It is located about 50 km (31 miles) south-southwest of Tokyo.
It is the city of the Great Buddha, of many old temples and shrines which are in harmony with nature, and the city of tales of Samurai because it is the first city in Japan to have had a government controlled by the Samurai. It is surrounded by ocean and mountains, packed with many other traditional Japanese charms.
Highlights
- Kamakura-shi in Kanagawa Prefecture is, needless to say, a well-known tourist attraction.
- Take the JR Yokosuka Line if you are coming from Tokyo, and it takes around 55 minutes to arrive.
- Hokokuji Temple is said to be built around 1334 and is most famous for the spectacular bamboo garden, located near the main temple hall.
- Hasedera Temple is notable for its bell, which has been deemed an Important Cultural Property.
- The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine was dedicated to the Minamoto clan deity, Hachiman.
Travel to Kamakura
Kamakura, a city about one hour south of Tokyo, is rich in history and in beautiful landscape. Surrounded by mountains in the north, east and west of the city, Kamakura is also a hotspot for hikers. Add the beautiful beaches on the Sagami Bay into the picture, and Kamakura makes the perfect destination to escape from the hype and vibes of Tokyo.
Even if you are time-strapped, a day-trip to Kamakura from Tokyo will suffice. The city is also filled with numerous famous temples and shrines such as Hasedera Temple, the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple and many more.




98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Wonderful 10 day trip in Japan!!!
Well planned trip by Alisa . Everything was well scheduled, guides and drivers were excellent!! The cars were extremely comfortable and the hotel she chose for us was beautiful!! Enjoyed planning with her she was very professional and always offered other choices. More
Lianne Stone,
May 2023
|
11 days trip to Japan
I am planning my trip to Japan in November with Sharon's help and she has provided amazing customer service.She is very responsive and put together very quickly an incredible plan for 11 days in Japan. She provided recommendations and made changes based on our interests and budget. She also provided information about visa restrictions and the best way to get tickets for transportation services. Thanks so much Sharon, looking forward to this trip! More
LE,
May 2023
|
Japan trip
Hi Cathy! I just want to thank you for making our Japan trip so much fun & memorable! We loved everything that you had scheduled for us! All the guides and drivers were great & punctual! We love Japan so much that we’re planning to go back next year to different part of Japan! We’ll definitely contact Asia Highlights for our trip again! Serene More
Serene Storslett,
May 2023
|
Quick, easy and detailed service
Alisa was our advisor from Asia highlights and she prepared for us a wonderful 28 day trip to Japan, taking into consideration our needs and desire not to be traveling everyday and to have a mixture of slow and busy days. We've not yet taken our trip, but very much looking forward to it Thank you Alisa for the quick response and wonderful itinerary More
Lynette Whittle,
Apr 2023
|
Japan Tour
Sharon Huang did an excellent job in planningour 15 day Cherry Blossom Japan tour. Shewas available during our trip to answer our questions and readily agreed to the itinerary changes.Everything was arranged - accommodation,breakfast, guide, car, entrance fees and train tickets. The guides were knowledgeable, and managed the tour very efficiently. The drivers were punctual and very patient. We visited must see places in and near Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. We also got to experience Japanese Tea ceremony, Sushi making, Sake tasting, shopping etc.We highly recommend Asia Highlights for your travel needs. More
Madhu,
Apr 2023
|
I organized a trip to Japan for my
I organized a trip to Japan for my parents who don’t speak English and Alisa was so amazing helping make an itinerary for them. They needed a Spanish guide and she coordinated everything so they wouldn’t have any trouble when they got there. She was so patient changing and adjusting the itinerary to their needs and wants, it’s been a total pleasure working with her and she always responds promptly to any question I have. I definitely recommend this company and if you can ask to work with Alisa. More
Luisa,
Apr 2023
|
Trip to Japan. I have had the pleasure to book with…
For the reasons above, I decided to book again with Asia highlights for our trip to Japan this year in September. Until now it’s been a pleasure dealing with Albee Ning. She was so efficient and pleasant in adjusting our itinerary. Whenever I had any questions I could count on her to answer promptly. I am very lucky to have her as our organiser for our future trip to Japan. I have had the pleasure to book with Asia Highlights when we went to China in 2018. We were extremely satisfied with the exceptional services rendered by our organiser, Robert Hui and private guide William. More
Mrs Cristina Hidalgo Loris,
Apr 2023
|
Albee Ning and Asia Highlights - wonderful to work with.
I and my daughter planned a trip to China and Japan. We worked with Albee Ning who was fantastic in developing a itinerary based on our desires and needs. She was extremely responsive, taking into account all of our requests and worked closely with us, it wasn't just selecting from one of several pre-developed itineraries. We decided to postpone the trip until next year and received the guaranteed refund, minus a small deposit on next years trip. We look forward to working with her again on next years trip and trips in the future. We highly recommend Asia Highlights and Albee Ning More
Nancy K,
Apr 2023
|
Handcrafted tour of Japan by Asia Highlights
My initial inquiry to this company (based in China) was answered in under 10 hours by an amazing travel consultant, named Alisa. She is such a professional in the ways she conducts herself and serves her clients. Alisa is a great communicator and listener. She is very open to requests for additional experiences which require research on her part to arrange. Alisa also provides very detailed information about each experience, location, guides, private car transfers, trains, hotels. This approach is very appealing since detailed communication is so useful and important to me. Alisa also makes the process simple and easy to follow. Answered tons of questions and created the perfect tour for us. We are looking forward to this once in a lifetime visit to Japan and are so grateful we have had the chance to work with Alisa at Asia Highlights! More
Laurie Lee,
Feb 2023
|
Great Overall Experience
Our guide in Tokyo, Fuki, was outstanding. We saw things we would never have otherwise seen, if Fuki had not been there. More
Todd Hankinson,
Dec 2022
|
Plenty of options and personalized tours as needed
Monica Mo was very helpful from the beginning after I enquired about my travel plans to Japan. She listened with understanding and took careful notes and clarified things to make sure she got everything. More
Ginybel Belgira,
Sep 2022
|
Asia Highlights especially Ms. Kanae Chida superb
Asia Highlights and particularly our Tokyo guide, Ms. Kanae Chida, were the best. When Kanae met us, she asked for details of what we wished to see and she constructed an outstanding combination of visits for the day. More
Geoff Rayner-Canham,
May 2019
|
I have arranged a 27 day tour of China, Japan and Hong Kong China
Peggie's English is impeccable and she uses lots of nuances which usually only a native English speaker would know. I have found her very prompt in responding to emails and her knowledge is terrific. More
Ailsa West,
Jul 2018
|
Very professional, great customer service
We travelled to Japan this May (2018). We had contacted Asia Highlights to organise our trip for us. Miss Peggie Lyoo was very helpful, super-friendly, very professional and very prompt with all her replies! More
Tibor Marton,
May 2018
|
Great job!
Great job!! We had an amazing vacation to Japan. We will use Asian highlights for all of our trips to Asia More
Joe,
May 2018
|
Trip-of-a-lifetime
In addition, I want to specifically mention the guides provided in certain locations. Rum, in Siem Reap, made the most memorable experience possible. His positivity was contagious - even when it felt like 1000 degrees and we were tired. He brought it all to life, and created a couple days of Ankor Wat, etc. that we will never forget! He heard my daughter's request for specific Cambodian food, and changed our itinerary to go to a village and eat at a locally known shop. He brought the dessert she asked about to us in the car! Overall, he and his driver "Lucky" were a reason to go to Siem Reap. In addition, the other guides (minus one which was switched out immediately) were stupendous. Mon in Bangkok was friendly and provided a great day there; Eak in Chiang Mai gave us a world-class food-tour and day touring the city and its surrounding temples with lots of laughs; Tommy in Hanoi kept us from getting killed in the traffic and gave a stupendous food and architecture/history tour - so very friendly and funny; the fishing village tour in Hoi An, as well as the side-car tour in Saigon, were both unforgettable! Thank you Sharon, and Asia Highlights. Would definitely use again for future trips! More
Teri Simpson,
Apr 2023
|
Cambodia and Vietnam adventure!
Our guide in Cambodia, Meas Darapolaith (Pol), was absolutely amazing. He was knowledgeable, friendly and so helpful. His English was excellent and he shared important insights about history and the magnificent sites we visited. We highly recommend him! More
Jennifer Roth Krieger,
Apr 2023
|
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE…
My daughter and I wanted to discover SE Asia. Being the first in that region, we wanted to use a tour service company. We ended up using Asia Highlights. From the beginning we were impressed with their services. We left home with of mind because all the pre-travel arrangements were taking care and communicate to us efficiently. All our questions were answered promptly. Once in the countries, we were welcome by our excellent tour guides. Everything was taking care for us. We did not have one issue. They selected the right tours guides for us, they were highly knowledgeable and so much attentive to our needs. We had Dhat in Vietnam and Borin in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I came back home so much rested, and with plenty of wonderful pictures and memories. I will definitely use Asia Highlights again for my next trip to Asia. More
Isabelle Dessaux,
Apr 2023
|
Fabulous tour and guide in Cambodia
We have been touring Cambodia, guided by Borin ( and driver 007) for the last 2 days. What a fabulous experience! Borin has been a wonderful guide, the best so far in Southeast Asia, explaining the history and culture of Cambodia through his tours of the temples in and around Angkor, as well as the Landmine museum. He has answered all our questions, made sure we were comfortable, and that we have had great food. 007 made sure we always had enough water and cool towels for our face/neck.We highly recommend Borin as a tour guide for Cambodia!! More
Monica,
Mar 2023
|
Best Travel Service for Asia Travel
Alisa Liu was in charge of making the arrangements and she helped us from the start to make all of the arrangements and also helped us when we had questions and requested some adjustments. Her service is of the highest professional level. We are 100% confident that our trip will be perfect. We’re also 100% confident that, if anything comes up during our trip, that Alisa will be there to guide us through and take care of us. We won’t even consider using another agency for travel around Asia and we would like to have Alisa work for us again. More
Leo Pospichal,
Mar 2023
|
Top Attractions in Kamakura
Kamakura is a city immersed in history. Having once been a political center of Japan, it has its own share of unique shrines and temples, local traditions and stories to interest a curious traveler. Below are some of the most iconic places you need to see while visiting Kamakura.
Hasedera Temple
This is a beautiful temple, located on a hillside overlooking the ocean. The best part of Hasedera is seeing the hundreds of small statues of the Jizo Bodhisattva that line the walkways up the hillside. The Hasedera Temple has been well known as a famous spot for viewing hydrangea. There is an observation trail at the temple site, where you can view over 40 types and exceeding a total of 2500 hydrangea flowers.
Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
The Great Buddha, at Kotokuin Temple, is Kamakura’s most popular attraction. Also called Daibutsu, with a height of 11.3 meters and sitting in open air, it is indeed one of the greatest Buddha statues in Japan. It is the second tallest in the country.
The Buddha, first built with raised funds, was actually a wooden statue that was eventually destroyed in a storm. Its replacement, the present bronze one, was cast in 1252. It was originally housed in a large hall, but the hall was damaged by a storm in 1369, then washed away completely by a tidal wave in 1495. It has been in its present exposed position since then.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
This is the most important shrine in Kamakura. Its extensive grounds contain a number of sub-shrines and several museums. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine occupies a very large area and is characterized by a grandiose geometrical layout (based on geomancy) that reflects its political beginnings.
There are a number of smaller sub-shrines in the grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu such as Wakamiya, Shirahatasha, Inari, and Hataage Benzaiten Shrine. All of these sub-shrines hold their own uniqueness and history. Other than shrines, you can visit the National Treasure Museum and the Museum of Modern Art within this place.
Myohonji Temple
Myohonji, founded by Nichiren Shonin, is one of the oldest Nichiren sect temples. The temple was erected by Hiki Daigaku Saburo Yoshimoto, the youngest child of Hiki Yoshikazu, and a Confucian who served Emperor Juntoku in 1260.
The temple is connected to some other nearby temples and a shrine via the Gionyama hiking trail. It leads through the wooded hills of Kamakura and should be explored only with good walking shoes and appropriate clothing.
Hokokuji Temple
Hokokuji is a secluded temple, tucked in the eastern hills of Kamakura. Currently belonging to the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, it originally was the temple of the Ashikaga clan and was later also adopted as the family temple of the Uesugi clan.
Hokokuji Temple, is best known for the beautiful, small bamboo grove found behind the temple's main hall, which lies thick, with over 2000 dark green bamboo stalks. A few narrow pathways lead through the bamboo to a tea house, where, for a small fee, you can sit and enjoy a cup of matcha tea while enjoying views into the bamboo grove.
Hiking Trails in Kamakura
The city is a thriving tourist destination because of its many attractions. There are even some people who love Kamakura because of its hiking trails. These trails offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape. There are three major hiking trails: Western Hills, Northern Hills and Eastern Hills.
Western Hills
After admiring the Daibutsu (Great Buddha statue), you can go on this widely known walk. The overall distance of the hiking trail is estimated to be three kilometers and can be completed in 60-90 minutes. Its rating is easy, and anyone without any hiking experience can enjoy this walk.
The Zeniarai Benten Shrine and the Genjiyama public park, with a statue of Minamoto Yoritomo, can be found underway.
Northern Hills
On the northern hills of Kamakura lies the Tenen Hiking Course. This trail connects the Kenchoji Temple and the Zuisenji Temple. Along the way, you’re going to find tomb caves (locally known as Hyakuhachi Yagura). There are plenty of places where you can see great views of the surrounding scenery. This trail is estimated to be around six kilometers long and takes 90-120 minutes to complete.
Eastern Hills
The trail starts where the Tosho-Ji Temple used to be and ends at Yagumo-Jinja Shrine. The starting point of the hiking trail is close to the famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The trail is 1.5 km long and it isn’t paved, and narrow and steep at times. Please wear appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. If the weather is clear, you can get a good view of Mt. Fuji, the bay, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
How to Get to and around Kamakura
Kamakura is located between the Ofuna and the Zushi Line. The JR Yokosuka Line for Zushi is your easiest connection from Tokyo Stations to Kamakura. It takes 55 minutes to get to Kamakura Station, and if you do not have the JR Pass, it costs 920 yen per person one way. This train stops at Kita-Kamakura Station and usually leaves from track number 1 or 2 in Tokyo Station.
If you are coming from Yokohama, take the Narita Express, this Limited Express train connects Narita and Ofuna via Tokyo, Shinagawa and Yokohama.
Getting around Kamakura is simple, but you will need to purchase the Kamakura Free Kankyo Tegata Pass. This pass allows you to ride as much as you like within a defined area on five bus and train lines that run through the most famous tourist attractions of Kamakura. You will also be able to receive discounts from participating shrines, temples, and museums, and special service from participating stores in the area.
Guided Kamakura Day-Tours
Visiting this historical city during your visit in Japan is recommended. Asia Highlights offers one-day excursions to this beautiful city, with a professional local guide that can make your holiday enjoyable. This trip can be started from both, Tokyo and Yokohama, depending on your preferences.
Visit the famous Great Buddha with its rich history at the Kotokin Temple. Explore the Hasedera Temple, home to a 9.18-meter-tall gilded, wooden statue which is one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan. You can also see the well-known statue of Kannon (goddess of mercy) inside. The statue shows Kannon with eleven heads, each representing a characteristic of the goddess.
Wander around at the most-iconic place in Kamakura, dating from the 12th century: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It is the spiritual heart of Kamakura. You can appreciate the beauty of Japanese architecture as well as the beauty of nature within this place. The shrine was dedicated to Hachiman, the Shinto god of war and the patron of the Minamoto family.
End your day by shopping for local souvenirs and delicacies in Komachi Street, the best shopping street in Kamakura.
This tour is available every day, starting time is 9:00, with approximately 8 hours of duration.
History of Kamakura
Once it was a political capital, along with Nara and Kyoto, and also the birthplace of Japan's first military government, the "Kamakura Bakufu." Warrior Minamoto no Yoritomo was appointed as Seii-Taishogun (shogun) by the Imperial Court in 1192, and it established the Kamakura Bakufu government.
After Yoritomo's death, the Hojo clan governed this area. Trade with the Sung and Yuan dynasties of China prospered in the 13th century, and various aspects of Chinese culture, including Zen (Buddhism), Zen-style architecture, Buddhist statues, and Chinese lacquer ware, were imported.
The Kamakura Bakufu ended in 1333. But the military culture of that era, in which the simple and strong spirit of warriors, traditional aristocratic culture, and the Chinese Sung and Yuan cultures were blended, has continued to greatly influence Japanese society down to the present day.
Kamakura began flourishing as a temple town in the 17th century. From the 19th century, it became popular for beaches, resort areas, and residential districts. Kawabata Yasunari, a writer who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, lived and wrote many works in Kamakura. Blessed with the beautiful nature of the ocean and surrounding green hills, Kamakura attracts a large number of tourists today.
Explore Kamakura with Asia Highlights
Discovering Kamakura can be stressful if you are not familiar with the language, geography and culture. Explore this ancient city with Asia Highlights and make amazing moments with your loved ones, without any hassles! Please contact us if you have any questions.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.