Kamakura one day
Kamakura, located 50km southwest of Tokyo and can be accessed about 70 minutes by commuter train, used to be the seat of samurai government from 12th to 14th century. That is why many temples, shrines, historical and cultural places are gathered up. As the samurai practiced Zen Buddhism during Kamakura period, most of the temples here belong to Zen sect that has close relation to the cultural activities such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement in Japan.
Great Buddha statue at Kotokuin temple and Tsurugaoka-hachimangu shrine are iconic symbols of Kamakura. Bamboo forest at Hokokuji temple relaxes you and tea ceremony experience refreshes you. Zen vegetarian meal may be tasted. Many temples have beautiful gardens with prenty of flowers. Komachi-dori street is nice place to stroll to find attractive souvenirs.
Places of interests
– Great Buddha statue at Kotokuin temple
– Hasedera temple
– Tsurugaoka-hachimangu shrine & Dankazura approach
– Komachi-dori shopping street
– North Kamakura – Engakuji temple, Tokeiji temple, Meigetuin temple & Kenchoji temple
– Hokokuji temple (Bamboo temple)
– Jomyouji temple
Model itineraries
- Model 1 (General – 8 hrs)
- Meet at your hotel or major train station)
- Train from Tokyo to Kamakura (1 hr)
- Locan Enoden tram to Hase Stn (5 min)
- Great Buddha at Kotokuin temple
- Hasedera temple
- Lunch at Komachi-dori street
- Tsurugaoka-hachiman shrine
- Hokokuji temple (Bamboo & Tea Ceremony)
- Jomyoji temple
- Train back to Tokyo
- Model 2 (More temples at north Kamakura – 8 hrs)
- Meet at your hotel or major train station)
- Train from Tokyo to Kita-Kamakura (1 hr)
- Engakuji tenmple
- Tokeiji temple
- Kenchoji temple
- Tsurugaoka-hachiman shrine
- Lunch at Komachi-dori street
- Locan Enoden tram to Hase Stn (5 min)
- Great Buddha at Kotokuin temple
- Hasedera temple
- Train back to Tokyo
Pricing
- Tour fee
- 1 or 2 persons : 25,000 JPY
- Group upto 5 persons : 35,000 JPY
- For more than 5 persons, please contact me
- Included
- Guide fee
- Public transportation fares for guide
- Not included
- Transportation fares for guests
- around 2,000 JPY per person round trip from Tokyo to Kamakura
In case of JR pass, the cost from Tokyo to Nikko is included - Local Enoden tram costs 400 JPY per person from Kamakura to Hase for round trip
- around 2,000 JPY per person round trip from Tokyo to Kamakura
- Admission fees for guests and guide
- Kotokuin : 200 JPY, Hasedera : 400 JPY, Hokokuji : 300 JPY, Kechoji : 500 JPY, Engakuji ; 300 JPY
- Lunch and Tea ceremony for guests and guide
- Tea Ceremony at Hokokuji temple : 600 JPY
- Transportation fares for guests
What you canexpect during the tour
Great Buddha statue
Built in 13th century and located at Kotokuin temple. Its height is 11 m and the weight is more than 100 tons. It is one of iconic symbol of Kamakura.
Hasedera temple
Built in 8th century, and is famous for its Kannon Bodhisattva statue that has 11 heads and 9 m height, and its beautiful Japanese garden. The temple is called as “flower temple”. Especially, hydrangea flower is very beautiful in early summer rainy season, which attracts many visitors. The scenery of the Pacific Ocean from this temple is also nice.
Tsugugaoka-hachiman shrine
Built in 11thcentury and most famous shrine in Kamakura, located the center of the city. The approach path to the shrine is called as Dankazura, where cherry blossoms are very beautiful alongside in spring.
Kenchoji temple
Built in 13th century and the highest ranked temple of Zen sect of Buddhism. Dragon picture on the ceiling of the hall, which is compared to that of Tenryuji temple in Kyoto, is very nice.
Engakuji temple
Built in 13th century and the second highest ranked temple of Zen sect of Buddhism. Shariden hall and bell are listed as national treasures.
Hokokuji temple
Built in 14th century and very famous for its marvelous bamboo forest. The ceremony can be experienced in this temple.
Komachidori shopping street
Located near Tsurugaoka-hachimangu shrine and nice place to stroll to find nice Japanese restaurants attractive souvenirs.