Kamakura city in Japan is the oldest one with a population of 180,000 people. From the 12th to the 14th centuries it was the actual capital of the country. In terms of the number of temples, Kamakura is not inferior to Kyoto. There are many green areas and the cleanest sea coast.
Keep reading this travel guide on best things to do in Kamakura city, Japan. You’ll get up-to-date information about most popular tourist attractions and places to visit.
Kamakura City General Info
- Date of foundation of the city: 1192.
- Average air t: in winter: during the day – + 11-12 degrees C, at night – + 6-8 degrees C; in summer: during the day – +30 degrees C; at night – +24 degrees C.
- Average t of the sea: in winter – +16 degrees, in summer – +24.4 degrees.
- On the map: link.
- Book a Private Guided Walking Tour in Kamakura here.
How to get to Kamakura
Kamakura is located next to Tokyo, so the easiest way to get there is from the capital. There are several options:
Train
There is a direct flight from Tokyo Station on the Yokosuka Line, travel time is about an hour. Trains run 7 times a day. Check the Hyperdia website for departure times as they change frequently. The fare is high, like everything else in Japan. Those booking in advance can save about 10 USD. It’s better to check about the opportunities offered by JR Pass.
By car
It’s a two-hour drive from Tokyo to Kamakura by highway. You can’t get lost on the road – everywhere there are signs in Japanese and English.
Tourists are advised to get off at the Hase station, which is one before Kamakura, and then walk further. On the way you will meet interesting locations and many temples.
Things to Do in Kamakura, Japan
There are many places to visit in Kamakura. In order not to get confused, start your exploration with the main ones:
Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
One of the visiting cards of the region – bronze Buddha statue, with a temple complex and a park area around. The statue appeared here in 1252; its weight is more than 120 tons. It serves as a site of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists and is a significant cultural heritage site.
Over the time, Great Buddha statue was able to withstand a lot: destructive earthquakes, typhoons, buildings adjacent to the statue were destroyed by tsunamis, and the statue has remained in its place for many centuries. Over the centuries, the Great Buddha has undergone various repairs and restorations to preserve its structure and appearance.
- Address: 4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
- Entrance fee: 300 JPY
Hase-dera Temple
This is a temple complex with several large sanctuaries, an observation deck overlooking the bay, and a well-groomed park area. Nearby, there is a cave with a lot of statues. Everything is done in traditional Japanese style. It is one of the popular places to visit in Kamakura.
If you visit Kamakura during summer months, mid-June-early July, be sure to look at the beautiful, blooming hydrangea. Be prepared to stand in line, as a large number of tourists come here during the this time. It’s better to plan your visit during weekdays.
The hill behind the Hasedera temple is planted with over 40 different types of hydrangeas, and if you climb up, you will have a stunning view of the ocean.
Come here in the spring, during the sakura season in Japan, or visit this place in the autumn, when the leaves begin to fall.
The main attractions of the temple are: a huge wooden statue of Kannon Bosatsu, Jizo-do Hall, where there are many small statues that are dedicated to helping lost children reach paradise.
Before you leave, you can visit Kyozo, a small wooden structure that houses a revolving bookcase with Buddhist texts. Turning the cupboard once, you will be blessed as if you had read all the sacred sutras. The building is only open on certain days.
If during your visit it is closed, you can spin a special so-called prayer wheel around the walls. Just be careful, the wheels rattle a lot when scrolling.
- Address: 3 Chome-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
- Entrance fee: 400 JPY
- Opening hours: 8 am to 5.30 pm, (October to February until 5 pm)
Visit Kamakura Beaches
There are several popular beaches in Kamakura, worth visiting: Katase Nishihama, Yuigahama and Zaimokuza.
Morito Beach – one of the popular beaches located within one hour walking distance from Kamakura. Long sandy coastline, a gentle entrance to the water, sun loungers and a cafe right on the beach. But its main feature is an amazing view of Mount Fuji and the island of Enoshima. Come here on a clear day to enjoy these picturesque views.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
One of the main symbols of Kamakura is Tsurugaoka Hachimangū temple, founded in 1063. It is divided into Upper and Lower parts, which made it the center of the city. The territory of the Shinto shrine is very beautiful, you can walk here for hours.
In addition to the unique Japanese architecture, the shrine will surprise visitors with a huge collection of sake barrels. Adjacent to the main temple is the Kamakura Museum of National Treasures.
It houses swords, works of art, scrolls, and other artifacts related to the history of Kamakura City.
- Address: 2 Chome-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8588, Japan
- Operating hours: 05.00 -21.00 (from 06.00 from October to March)
- Entrance fee: free, museum tickets – 200 JPY.
Memorial Warship MIKASA
The Memorial Warship Mikasa is a notable historical attraction located in Yokosuka, near Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Converted into a museum ship and opened to the public in 1926. It has since undergone various restorations to preserve its condition and historical authenticity.
The ship’s museum offers exhibits on its history, the Russo-Japanese War, naval warfare, and the development of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Visitors can explore the ship’s deck, gun turrets, officer quarters, and other parts of the vessel.
- Address: 82-19 Inaoka-cho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 238-0003, Japan
- Operating hours: 09.00 — 17.30 — April — September, 09.00 -17.00 — March, October, 09.00 — 16.30 — November — February
- Entrance fee: 600 yen.
Enoshima Aquarium
Enoshima Aquarium, also known as Enosui, is a popular marine aquarium located in Fujisawa, near Kamakura and Enoshima Island. Home to a diverse range of marine species, including fish, jellyfish, sea turtles, penguins, and marine mammals.
It also features a large tank that recreates the environment of Sagami Bay, showcasing local marine life. A highlight for many visitors, the dolphin show combines educational content with impressive acrobatics performed by trained dolphins.
- Address: 2-19-1 Katase Kaigan, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, 251-0035 Japan
- Operating hours: 09.00 -17.00 (March — November), 10.00 — 17.00 (December — February)
- Ticket price: 2800 JPY— adult, 1800 JPY— (16-18 years old), 1300 JPY— (6-15 years old), 900 JPY — (3-6 years old).
- Buy tickets to Enoshima Aquarium
- Official website: https://www.enosui.com/en/show.html
Be sure to check out the famous Komachi Street, which is located next to Kamakura Station. Komachi Street, also known as Komachi-dori, is a lively and historic shopping street in Kamakura. This is the main shopping street in the city, where you can find anything you want.
It runs from Kamakura Station to the main torii gate of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Komachi Street is lined with a variety of shops selling souvenirs, traditional crafts, clothing, accessories, and specialty items. You can find everything from Japanese pottery and kimonos to contemporary fashion and jewelry. A major draw of Komachi Street is its food scene. Numerous food stalls, cafes, and restaurants offer local delicacies.
Zeniarai Benten Shrine
Zeniarai Benten Shrine, formally known as Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine, is one of Kamakura’s unique and fascinating shrines. It is renowned for its ritual of washing money to bring financial luck and prosperity.
The shrine is dedicated to Benzaiten, a Japanese Buddhist goddess of wealth, music, and eloquence, who is often associated with water and snakes. The shrine also honors Ugafuku, a deity of harvest and prosperity.
- Address: 2 Chome-25-16 Sasuke, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0017, Japan
- Opening hours: daily from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm.
- There is no entrance fee
Hokokuji Temple with Bamboo Grove
You have probably heard at least once about the popular Arashiyama bamboo grove, located near Kyoto. There is a similar place in Kamakura, with much fewer visitors there, so you’ll have all chances to feel the atmosphere of the place.
Hokokuji Temple, also known as the Bamboo Temple, is a renowned Zen Buddhist temple in Kamakura. It is famous for its serene bamboo grove and tranquil atmosphere, making it a popular destination for visitors seeking a peaceful retreat.
The grove is located behind the main hall of the Hokoku-ji Temple. Visitors can enjoy matcha (powdered green tea) and Japanese sweets in the tea house, which overlooks the bamboo grove.
- Address: 2 Chome-7-4 Jomyoji, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0003, Japan
- Opening hours: 09.00 -16.00, shrine is closed from December 29th to the 3rd of January, each year
- Entrance fee: 300 JPY, additional 600 JPY if you want to have a cup of matcha tea at the tea house.
