Kamakura Travel Guide

Kamakura is a good day-trip destination from Tokyo. It's located about 30 miles southwest of Tokyo. Kamakura was Japan's capital for more than 100 years beginning in 1192 when the shogun Minamoto Yoritomo established Bakufu Samurai government. The atmosphere of old Japan still remains in Kamakura.
Places to Stay in Kamakura

The most attractive feature of Kamakura is that there are numerous temples and shrines. Kamakura is famous for the statue of the Great Buddha Statue (Daibutsu). Also, Kamakura is surrounded by mountains and beaches, and there are many hiking trails. Also, the Kamakura festival is held from the second Sunday through the third Sunday in April every year. A parade and various traditional Japanese events, such as yabusame (horseback archery) and Japanese dance performence attract many visitors during the festival.

How to get to Kamakura

Take JR Yokosuka line bound for Zushi/Kurihama at Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinbashi, or Yokosuka Stations. It takes about one hour from the Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station.
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Kamakura Attractions

• Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine
  Address: 2-1-31 Yukinoshita Kamakura-city, Kanagawa
  Admission: Free
  This is the most famous shrine in Kamakura. It was founded by Minamoto Yoritomo by dedicating it to the war god Hachiman and transferring it to the present location. This shrine was also a Buddhist temple and played a central role in Japanese Buddhism during the Kamakura era. You can walk to Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu from Kamakura station in about 10 minutes. During the New Years holidays in Japan, more than one million people visit this shrine.

• Kamakura Kokuho-kan (Kamakura Treasure Museum)
  Address: 2-1-1 Yukinoshita Kamakura-city, Kanagawa
  Admission: 300 yen
  It's located to the right of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu. It's built in 1928. You can see the collection of materials and art treasures from the Kamakura era, including ukiyo-e (colored woodcuts) collections. Closed on Mondays.

• Kotoku-in Temple and Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
  Address: 4-2-28 Hase Kamakura-city, Kanagawa
  Admission: 200 yen
  The 37-foot-high bronze Buddha is the second largest statue in Japan. (The largest is the Daibutsu of the Todai-ji Temple in Nara.) You will be amazed by the size. You can enter the inside of the statue from the door in the back. Take Eno-den train from Kamakura Station to Hase Station and walk for 15 minutes, or take the bus from Kamakura Station to Daibutsu-mae bus stop. Open Daily.

• Hase-dera Temple
  Address: 3-11-2 Hase Kamakura-city, Kanagawa
  Admission: 300 yen
  This temple houses the statue of 11-headed Kannon (the Goddess of mercy) in the Kannon Hall. It is a 30-foot-high, gilded wooden statue. Pay attention to the different facial expressions on the heads of Kannon. It is located 500 yards south from the Great Buddha. Open Daily. Website

• Meigetsu-in Temple 189 Yamanouchi Kamakura-city, Kanagawa
  Admission: 300 yen
  It's known as Ajisai-dera since it's filled with ajisai (hydrageas) in June. It takes about 10 minutes by walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station.