/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/8890def8-a4c2-4ca9-8514-d235643e94a6.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/b28a59c5-e159-4c40-937f-eb51bc841ab5.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/87b59614-1be5-4723-a880-1785fbffd9f5.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/3f824bf5-79de-4711-811f-ef083bc8565d.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/62d25b29-f3c1-4c25-9b93-f0b3d7f27285.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/3d1675d3-7378-4efe-b69d-2f940eed9d94.JPG)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/01d8c92b-2726-4633-bf01-619db7d48ed9.JPG)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/8fcd37ef-457b-47dc-a822-3801c7f5067d.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/f8f59955-d251-4465-abcd-93a71c585f09.JPG)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/8c59692d-350c-4cb9-b0b1-a1525758d031.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/38c00a2e-b602-49c1-b8a9-479f19b2ae6a.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/68dccdf7-f274-4d75-b628-3e86792dee00.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/20237b64-fd74-49d7-9372-e4dc5f16c5d4.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/814b59db-5c8c-4fd7-ac11-88b955572a50.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19910/6e52ba62-52d4-4757-9ba4-f52191ddc32f.jpg)
A Day in My Favorite Kamakura! Zen Temples, Matcha, Flowers & the Sea Breeze
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/78590/e29ff10f-9708-48f2-be78-6198d1c1ba04.png)
Joined 2025
Explore Kamakura with a guide who loves this compact ancient town, rich in history, culture, nature, and Zen spirit. Just an hour from Tokyo, we will visit highlights such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the Great Buddha standing for 770 years, and the bamboo temple. You can savor authentic matcha with Japanese sweets in a serene Zen garden, admire seasonal flowers, and stroll hidden paths to the seaside, where the ocean breeze offers a peaceful close to your journey.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kamakura station
- Meeting Point: In front of the Tourist Information Office at the East Exit of Kamakura Station. ▷▷If you are traveling from Tokyo or elsewhere, I will be happy to advise you in advance on the most convenient way to reach Kamakura.▷▷▷Upon request, I can also meet you at other convenient locations in Kamakura or Yokohama, such as Yokohama Station, Sakuragicho Station, Ōfuna Station, or the Ōsanbashi International Passenger Terminal (including nearby hotel lobbies). Please feel free to ask me. ▷▷▷▷If you need it and if our schedules match, I can also arrange hotel pickup or drop-off outside Kamakura or Yokohama for an additional fee of 2,000 yen each.
Hōkokuji Temple (Bamboo Temple)(Zen temple)
Known as the Bamboo Temple, Hokokuji was founded in 1334. It features a grove of about 2,000 bamboo stalks, creating a serene world of rustling leaves and shifting light, as well as a tranquil dry landscape garden with moss and carefully placed stones.
The bamboo grove has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, recognizing it as a site well worth a visit.
Jomyo-ji – A Zen Temple with Tea House Kisen-an
Jōmyō-ji, one of Kamakura’s Five Great Zen Temples, was founded in 1188 and offers a quiet atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Zen.
Its highlight is Kisen-an, a tea house overlooking a beautifully designed dry landscape garden.
Here, you can enjoy authentic matcha with a seasonal sweet, and choose between sitting on a chair or on tatami mats.
One of the charms of Kisen-an is that you can relax and enjoy tea without worrying about formal tea ceremony etiquette.
This space is designed for everyone to feel comfortable — you can simply sit back, admire the peaceful garden view, and experience the essence of Japanese tea culture at your own pace
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu – The Spiritual Heart of Kamakura
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, relocated and expanded by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun, in 1180, is the most important shrine in Kamakura and the spiritual heart of the samurai era. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the Dankazura approach, and in summer, the Genpei-ike ponds fill with pink and white lotus. In the spacious grounds, I will share trivia and stories from its long history. If you are lucky, you may also see a traditional wedding or children in pretty kimonos—living proof that these traditions are still alive today, giving you a chance to feel closer to Japan’s history and traditions.
Around Komachi-dori Street
Enjoy lunch and browsing traditional sweets, snacks, and souvenirs along Komachi Street. I can recommend good Japanese restaurants and even help with ordering food and drinks. I will also share tips on my favorite shops on Komachi Street. You may choose to have lunch and explore together with me, or enjoy some free time on your own.
Great Buddha (Kōtoku-in Temple)
Let’s meet the iconic Great Buddha of Kamakura—an enormous yet graceful bronze statue that has been peacefully meditating under the open sky since the 13th century. We can also step inside the statue to experience its unique interior and learn more about the mystery of its construction.
Hase-dera – Kamakura’s Temple of Flowers
Hase-dera, a historic temple said to have been founded in the 8th century, is known as the “Temple of Flowers.” The grounds feature well-tended gardens and charming small Jizo statues, and from its hillside terrace, you can enjoy sweeping views of Kamakura and the sea. In the main hall stands the majestic Eleven-Headed Kannon statue, adding to the temple’s spiritual presence. The temple is beautiful year-round, but from late May to June, it becomes especially stunning, when about 40 varieties and over 2,500 hydrangeas burst into color along the paths.
Be sure to take lots of photos!
Yuigahama Beach Walk
If the weather permits, we’ll take an off-the-beaten-path backstreet to reach the ocean and finish our journey with a short stroll along the shore, feeling the ocean breeze — perfect for reflection.
Enoden Ride Back to Kamakura
We’ll take the nostalgic Enoden train, with its retro charm, back to Kamakura Station.
Kamakura Station
We’ll end our tour at JR Kamakura Station.
I’ll be happy to explain how to get back to your hotel.
Ending Point
Kamakura station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
・Guide fee
・Guide’s transportation expenses
・Guide’s entrance fees
・Your Entrance fees: approx. 1,200 JPY
・Your Food and drinks:(If the guide joins you for meal, kindly cover the guide’s lunch or dinner as well.)
・Matcha Experience at Jōmyō-ji Temple (for you& your guide):･･･In case: Matcha with dry sweets: 660 JPY / Matcha with fresh Japanese sweets: 1,100 JPY
Tour Important Information
・Please wear comfortable shoes, as this tour involves walking and climbing up and down stairs.
・Please inform me in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
・Many temples and small shops only accept cash (JPY) in Kamakura, so please bring some Japanese yen with you.
・This tour includes travel by public transportation, but taxis can also be arranged upon request. If you enjoy walking, it is also possible to cover all the spots on foot.
・Please note that transportation in Kamakura can be crowded on weekends and Japanese national holidays.
・If you need it and if our schedules match, I can also arrange hotel pickup or drop-off outside Kamakura or Yokohama for an additional fee of 2,000 yen each.
・If bad weather is expected, I will be happy to propose an alternative itinerary.
Important message from the supplier
My tours are mainly conducted on foot and using public transportation, but I can arrange a taxi if you prefer, with the cost covered by you.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2025
About Tour Guide Yacco M.
Hi, I’m Yacco, a friendly and passionate local guide. I was born and raised in Shizuoka and have lived in Yokohama for over 30 years. For the past several years, I’ve been guiding international visitors in Kamakura, Yokohama, and Tokyo as a volunteer, helping them discover the rich history, culture, and hidden charm of these unique cities.
Traveling abroad creates once-in-a-lifetime memories, and I would love for you to fully experience the beauty and spirit of my favorite towns.
I not only enjoy showing historical and modern landmarks, but also love introducing quiet backstreets, seasonal flowers, cozy cafés, and delicious local food that reflect the charm of everyday life. What I enjoy most is comparing Japanese traditions with my guests’ own cultures and histories—these conversations often lead to deep and inspiring exchanges.
As your guide, I’m happy to customize tours based on your interests, whether you’re seeking unique experiences, historical insights, or local flavors. Let’s walk, talk, and create unforgettable memories together!
Reviews
Tomi L.
“Fun day at Kamakura !”
We had amazing time with Yacco she told us so much of japans history and customs and show'd us beautiful nature and temples that Kamakura had to offer. We were in japan for 2weeks and this trip with Yacco was one of the surprise highlight of the whole trip. Yacco made modifications to the trip according to our needs and wants she even called the restaurant a head of time that we wanted to visit just to make sure that they were open and hand room for us. She was lovely and caring host who thought us so much we cant wait for our next japan trip and see Yacco again. We can wholeheartedly recommend Yacco to anyone interested in history ,temples and nature of Kamakura. Even as our day ended she made sure we got on train helped us reserve seats on train that was little confusing to us. On our next trip to japan we are sure to save 1 day for Yacco so we can spend more time with her thanks again for lovely day and see you hopefully sooner that later :D
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/78590/e29ff10f-9708-48f2-be78-6198d1c1ba04.png)
Yacco M.
Hi Tomi-san, Thank you so much for your heartwarming review! It truly meant a lot to me. I was very happy to spend the day with your lovely family in Kamakura, a place I truly love. I was a little worried about the weather, but I’m so glad it cleared up in the afternoon and that we could enjoy the beach together. It was also a real pleasure talking in English with your daughter—she is so sweet! I also learned a lot from you about Finland, a country I’ve always admired. It was fascinating to hear how similar Finland and Japan can be in some ways. Thank you as well for telling me about that lovely café near the sea—I really appreciated it. I truly hope you will come back to Japan again, and I look forward to seeing you next time! Kiitos! Yacco
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/32349/101805.jpg)
Oskar enrique M.
“Memorable day with a charming person.”
My family and I took a tour in Kamakura with Yasuko. She was very patient and took us to places with very few tourists. We also visited the Great Buddha and had a fantastic lunch. Yasuko is a wonderful person—kind, cheerful, and with a great spirit of helping others. If you are one of the lucky people to meet her, please be kind and considerate to her. Spending a day with Yasuko is like spending time with a friend. My family and I will always remember her. Arigatōgosaimazu mabudachi!
Yacco M.
Dear Oskar-san, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and heartwarming words. Spending the day with you and your beautiful family in Kamakura was truly a gift for me as well. In Japan, we have a phrase Ichigo Ichie — a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Our day in Kamakura with you felt exactly like that: precious and unforgettable. I am deeply grateful for this special encounter. Arigato gozaimasu from the bottom of my heart. I carry this memory with deep gratitude. Warmly, Yacco
$103/ per group
More tours by Yacco M.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/20080/d46dd86d-2b60-40f1-aaee-69989b4d0bec.jpg)
Discover Kamakura: Half-Day Highlights with a local guide
Explore Kamakura with a guide who loves this charming, compact town rich in history, culture, nature, and Zen spirit. Just an hour from Tokyo, this 5-hour tour is perfect for first-time visitors. We’ll visit Kamakura’s top landmarks — Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hase-dera Temple, and the Great Buddha — while discovering its fascinating history, beautiful scenery, local culture, and everyday life.
Discover Kamakura: Half-Day Highlights with a local guide
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/22270/1697e721-e7f6-4025-926b-d2cec296389d.jpg)
Enjoy full of Yokohama!! Waterfront Walk, Cup Noodles Museum, Cosmo World & Chinatown
Located approximately 30 minutes from central Tokyo, Yokohama is a port city that combines historic charm with a modern, futuristic waterfront landscape. Its wide-open views and panoramic scenery offer a sense of calm and relaxation. This easy-paced walking tour features key attractions such as the Minato Mirai area, Cosmo World amusement park, the Cup Noodles Museum, Yamashita Park, and Chinatown, making it an ideal introduction for first-time visitors.
Enjoy full of Yokohama!! Waterfront Walk, Cup Noodles Museum, Cosmo World & Chinatown
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/20562/74cb2294-2d3a-4e91-a476-1a7da2bf69e5.JPG)
Blooming Kamakura: Seasonal Flower Walk (Halfday Customized tour) by Yacco
Just an hour from Tokyo, Kamakura offers a unique blend of history, nature, and seasonal beauty. On this half-day tour, a local guide who knows the area well will take you to quiet, lesser-known temples and hidden spots where you can relax and enjoy the best seasonal scenery away from the crowds — the spots I recommend most for that day.
Blooming Kamakura: Seasonal Flower Walk (Halfday Customized tour) by Yacco
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kamakura
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/20604/07d083c4-6c1e-4e87-b48f-f27dfc28c256.jpeg)
Ganz private Führung nach Ihren Wünschen durch Kamakura
Das ist eine ganz persönliche Führung! Geben Sie mir Bescheid über Ihre Wünsche, was Sie machen/ ausprobieren/ essen möchten z. B. Wissen Sie nicht, was Sie tun möchten? Keine Sorge! Ich kann Ihnen auch was vorschlagen, je nach Ihren Wünschen! Fragen Sie mich bitte einfach! Unten gibt’s einige Ideen für Sie!
Ganz private Führung nach Ihren Wünschen durch Kamakura
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/79179/e0694ab8-7a13-4585-9ab2-2d6c08c5d89d.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/9965/145785.jpg)
Kamakura : Attractions touristiques populaires sur-mesure
Il est possible de personnaliser votre visite en fonction de vos préférences. Faites votre sélection parmi les attractions touristiques les plus populaires de Kamakura !
Kamakura : Attractions touristiques populaires sur-mesure
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27666/ae31ed4c-6557-4c2f-a633-24c46a787e1d.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19407/a380248c-7fc6-42a1-a580-4e0cabb5e6c2.png)
Sacred Kamakura: Great Buddha, Serene Temples & Local Flavors
This highlight tour of Kamakura lets you experience both its historical roots and modern-day charm all at once. We’ll visit not only the city’s most famous landmarks, but also walk through narrow backstreets filled with everyday life, giving you a well-rounded experience of Kamakura’s history, Buddhist culture, shopping, scenery, and local lifestyle — all in one compact and memorable journey.
Sacred Kamakura: Great Buddha, Serene Temples & Local Flavors
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/75250/76b30a80-7f0d-4161-93ce-c5c2e10e2677.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2763/51314.jpg)
One-Day Ancient Wonders in Kamakura(Bamboo Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple)
Enjoy the historical city Kamakura and feel the old Japanese atmosphere of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrine! At Hokokuji Temple you can enjoy matcha tea while viewing a beautiful bamboo forest. Then we will visit Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu Shrine which was a shrine for samurai warriors and enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori shopping street near this shrine. After lunch we will visit Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple using Enoden local train.
One-Day Ancient Wonders in Kamakura(Bamboo Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10496/51927.jpg)