5 Best Things to See in Kamakura, Japan
Japan is full of amazing cities. So much so, that determining where to go can be super challenging. There are too many great options! Fortunately, there are also a number of smaller cities that offer just as many spectacular sights as the larger cities, and Kamakura is one of them. If you’re in Tokyo, you should really consider taking a day trip to take in the best things to see in Kamakura.
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About Kamakura, Japan
Just an hour south of Tokyo is the town of Kamakura. It is one of Japan’s most prominent centers of religion and is best known for the quantity of temples and shrines in and around the city. It is also a coastal town drawing in beach tourism in the summer.
It’s easy to take a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura to get your fill of temples and shrines as there are dozens spread throughout town.
In addition to some of the bigger sites mentioned below in the top things to do in Kamakura, it is worth visiting a few smaller temples and shrines. They are all very peaceful and each have their own unique characteristics. Another perk to visiting a slightly smaller town is that the shrines and temples are not crowded, and they usually have no admission fees.
Getting to Kamakura from Tokyo
Make your trip to Kamakura an easy day trip from Tokyo. There are a number of different trains that can take you there.
- Simply jump on the JR Yokosuka Line at Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, or Yokohama Station, and take it for just under an hour to Kamakura or Kita-Kamakura Station. It will run you right around ¥940.
- Take the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station. This will also take right around an hour and cost you ¥940. Note that only the trains bound for Zushi will take you directly to Kamakura. Otherwise you will need to transfer at Ofuna Station.
- The longest journey but the most cost effective way is using Odakyu Railways with the Odakyu’s Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass. This pass includes the round trip from Shinjuku to Kamakura as well as unlimited usage of the Enoden train. It will only run you ¥1520. The disadvantage of this route is that you will need at least 90 minutes to get there versus the JR trains which take 1 hour.
5 Best Things to See in Kamakura
With just a day trip, you’ll need to prioritize what you get to see within Kamakura. These 5 top things to see in Kamakura will do just that. You’ll get a true taste for the city while seeing some of the best sights in Kamakura. What are we waiting for, let’s get going!
1. Giant Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in Temple
The number one reason to visit Kamakura is it is home to the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. This Giant Buddha is located at Kotoku-in Temple and measures 13.35m tall. It is only surpassed by the giant buddha statue in Nara. Interestingly enough, you can enter the actual statue and find out how it was made.
If you only see one thing in Kamakura, this is it! It’s what makes the town famous and a must visit. Not to mention, the Giant Buddha is the most popular thing to do in Kamakura.
Entrance fee is ¥200 plus an additional ¥20 to enter the statue.
2. Hasedera Temple
Located right down the street from the Giant Buddha, Hasedera Temple is a beautiful temple set up on a hillside providing views of the town below, including the beach and ocean.
Unfortunately, that does mean you have to climb a number of stairs to reach the different layers of the temple. Rest assured though, it is well worth it. It is most famous for its statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, features a garden including a couple of ponds, and even has a small cave attached.
Entrance fee is ¥300.
3. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
When arriving in Kamakura, it would be hard to miss Hachimangu Shrine as it is in the center of town. The torii gates actually lead up one of the main avenues to the base of the temple.
From the first torii gate you can follow the street up past additional gates, past two ponds, a few smaller buildings and gardens to the first level of the temple. From here, you can climb up stairs to the main hall. This shrine is an important center for holidays and events throughout the year.
No entrance fee.
4. Kenchoji Temple
The oldest and most important Zen Temple in Kamakura, Kenchoji Temple features a number of buildings throughout the temple complex, including a large Buddha hall, a previous head priest’s residence, and a beautiful garden at the base of the hills behind the temple.
Due to its position further off the main roads, Kenchoji Temple is less crowded and visited than the first three sites.
Entrance fee is ¥300.
5. Engakuji Temple
Another Zen Temple, Engakuji Temple is again quite a large temple complex reaching a distance back from the main gates. One of the distinguishing factors of this temple is the amount of greenery surrounding it.
There is a large bell sitting back in the trees along with a number of trees overlooking the many halls on the property. The main entrance is very close to the Kita-Kamakura train station making it an easy to reach temple.
Entrance fee is ¥300.
See More of Kamakura, Japan
If you only have a day in Kamakura, you’ll be tight on time to see more then just the top temples of Kamakura. However, you can maximize your activities in Kamakura by one of two ways – join a tour or stay overnight and explore Kamakura over more than one day.
Take a Tour of Kamakura
There are endless opportunities to explore Kamakura, but if you want to take a tour to make the most of your time in town, here are some of your best options:
- Kamakura Half Day Walking Tour with Kotokuin Great Buddha: Explore historical sites and temples, learn about the foundations of Buddhism and Shintoism, and take a step back in time on this historical small group tour.
- Kamakura Rickshaw Tour: Take a short tour of Kamakura to see things that you won’t typically find in guidebooks. You’ll learn about Japanese history, traditions, and seasonal beauties of Kamakura wit the local rickshaw guide.
- Kamakura Scenic Bike Tour: See the best sights of Kamakura on bike. It will get you around time a bit faster than on foot so you’ll be able to see more of the city in the same amount of time!
Stay Overnight in Kamakura
Another alternative is to stay overnight in Kamakura. There are plenty of amazing hotels in Kamakura to choose from. If you’re on a tight budget, opt to stay in a shared dorm room in the amazing Guest House Kamejikan. Or, if you prefer a budget hotel in Kamakura where you have your privacy, check out Zen Vague or Shell Kamakuraphase.
Of course, there are more upscale accommodation options available too. Check out Kamakura Seizan or Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura for affordable, mid-range hotels in Kamakura. Or, go all in with the Bird Hotel, the go to luxury hotel in Kamakura. It will not disappoint!
Explore More of Japan
Don’t stop your planning with researching the best things to see in Kamakura, there’s a lot more to see in Japan. Here are some posts to help you learn more about the top things to do around Japan, or you can view all posts about Japan to really get your trip moving!
- Top 5 Things to Do in Kyoto
- Top 5 Things to See in Nara
- Top 10 Things to Do in Tokyo
- Top 5 Things to Do in Miyajima
- Top 5 Things to Do in Hiroshima
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