Nearby

Tourist Spots

Today, Kamakura is a small city and a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In addition, Kamakura’s sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.

— Zaimokuza Beach —

One of the most important features of Kamakura is the beach facing the south side of Kamakura City. The 7-kilometre-long coast has 5 beaches, Zaimokuza Beach, Yuigahama, Inamuragasaki, Shichirigahama, and Koshigoe Beach. Among these, swimming beaches are opened for the summer at Zaimokuza Beach, Yuigahama, and Koshigoe Beach, and these locales bustle with tourists who come to swim. The beach opens from July 1st – Aug 31st for swimming and sun bathing. During this period, there will be beach houses along the beach and offer variety of food and beverages. Fully enjoy yourself in the taste of summer.

On foot 9 min (750m)

— Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine —

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮, Tsurugaoka Hachimangū) is Kamakura’s most important shrine. It was founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063, and enlarged and moved to its current site in 1180 by Minamoto Yoritomo, the founder and first shogun of the Kamakura government. The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron god of the Minamoto family and of the samurai in general. The deified spirits of the ancient Emperor Ojin who has been identified with Hachiman, Hime-gami and Empress Jingu are enshrined at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

On foot 20 min (1.6 km)

By bus 18 min

— Komachi dori Street —

Kamakura Komachi-dori Street is a peculiar strip of modernity in the center of an ancient city, where trendy boutiques, gourmet cuisine, and a timeless ambience rub shoulders.With humble beginnings as a modest street market centuries ago, the area has transformed into a symphony of shopping and commerce. You can find everything from boutique fashion stores to souvenir gift shops along Komachi-dori, and when the bags get heavy and your feet tired, there are countless cafes, restaurants, cake shops, and bakeries. If you want to see the area in style, why not rent a kimono and get pulled around Kamakura in one of the many rickshaws available for hire.

On foot 17 min (1.3 km)

By bus 14 min

— Hokokuji Temple —

Secluded in the hills of eastern Kamakura, Hokokuji (報国寺, Hōkokuji) is a small temple of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism. Originally founded during the early years of the Muromachi Period, Hokokuji was the family temple of the ruling Ashikaga Clan and was later also adopted as the family temple of the Uesugi Clan.

On foot 31 min (2.3 km)

By bus 38 min

— Kamakura Big Buddha —

It is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 11.4 meters, it has long been the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple and some recent creations.

By bus 23 min

— Kamakura Kokomae Station —

It is a small seaside station in the mountainous residential area and its name comes from “Kamakura High School” near here. However, even here is not a sightseeing spot, not a few people visit the station every day, not only countrywide of Japan but also worldwide. Because here is the place that appears on many TV dramas, movies, comics and animes as a location of the stories.

By train 30 min

— Enoshima Island —

Enoshima (江の島) is a pleasantly touristy island just off the coast but connected by bridge with the mainland. The island offers a variety of attractions, including a shrine, park, observation tower and caves. Views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed on days with good visibility. Enoshima is divided into a yacht harbor accessible to motorized traffic and a forested hill which can only be explored on foot (and paid escalators) and contains most of the sights. Several shrine buildings, collectively known as Enoshima Shrine, are found around the island and are dedicated to Benten, a popular goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge.

By train 50 min

— Enoshima Aquarium —

In Enoshima, you don’t have to go under the sea to meet the beautiful creatures of Poseidon. The Enoshima Aquarium will let you experience what it is like to be in the deep blue sea without having to go underwater. Its 14 different attractions will provide you the complete ocean adventure, a great place for family or couple to explore especially during rainy days. From hanging out with different kinds of jellyfish at the Jellyfish Fantasy Hall, observing adorable Penguins and Seals in their sanctuary, being in awe of your favorite cetaceans at the Dolphin Show Stadium, to delving deeper into the Deep Sea – the oldest aquarium in all of Japan has everything you need and more. The ticket price is about JPY 2,500 per adult.

By train 50 min

Seasonal Attraction

— Cherry Blossom —

One of the most popular times to visit Kamakura is in the spring, for hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties). The cherry blossoms in Kamakura, which include the very popular Somei Yoshino type, are in full bloom during the period from the end of March to the beginning of April. There are also varieties that flower earlier such as the Kawazu-zakura that blossoms from February to April. These early sakura make Kamakura the ideal place to see many different types of sakura over a long period of time.

Available in late March – early April

— Hydrangea —

From the middle of June to the middle of July is the rainy season in Japan. You might think as it is no-good season for travelling because of cloudy weather, high humidity and high temperature days continue.
If you think so, that’s wrong! Because of beautiful hydrangea [紫陽花 (Ajisai)] flowers with various colors and shapes are bloom during the season. Especially in Kamakura, hydrangea flower is as same as or much popular than cherry blossom. Large number of tourists visit the temples and shrines in Kamakura that is known as hydrangea flower sightseeing spot everyday during the season. Because of overcrowded with too many people, Enoden Line train may be delayed on the weekend of this season.

Available in early June – early July

— Kamakura Firework —

If the many Tokyo summer fireworks displays are a little too crowded and urban for your taste, head on down to the beach in Kamakura for this small-scale but fun and energetic local version. The colourful explosions are made even more impressive by the reflections off the surface of the water, and unimpeded views are not hard to find.

Annual event scheduled in mid July

— Autumn Leaves —

Throughout Japan, there are many places where you can enjoy the beautiful foliage, or momiji, in autumn. The ancient city of Kamakura is an ideal destination to take in the stunning red, orange, and yellow leaves. Accessible from Tokyo in around one hour, visit this history-filled city. Kamakura is slightly on the warmer side in comparison to Tokyo; due to the temperature and weather, the best time to see the foliage is usually during November and December.

Available in November – December