Best Memories of Kamakura
Joined 2014
Kamakura used to the capital of Japan during 12th to 14th century. It was the first period governed by the samurai warriors; Shoguns.Since samurai practiced Zen Buddhism, there are many Zen Temples which were built before those in Kyoto.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- I will meet you near the reception. I will show your name on my iPad.
The following is a standard plan with optional places you can choose. Approximate time durations are also shown.
10:00-11:30 Hotel pick up and Transport to Kamakura by JR train
I will pick you up near the reception.
12:00-12:30 The Great Buddha in Kotoku-in Temple
The Great Buddha in Kotoku-In Temple; The Buddha was built in the 13th century, which is the most popular site in Kamakura. It is a statue of Amida Buddha who helps everyone in need to be reborn in the Heaven (Admission: 300 JPY except the guide)
12:30-13:30 Hase-dera Temple
Hase-dera Temple; It is about 10 minutes walk from the Great Buddha, this temple was established in 8th century, which has a nice Japanese garden, various statues of Buddha, a deck to overview the Pacific Ocean, and a unique cave shrine. It is also famous for its hydrangea trail which is very crowed in June. (Admission: 400 JPY except the guide)
13:30-14:30 Lunch
Lunch; We will have a casual Japanese lunch such as vegetarian dishes for monks, or tempura with noodle, steamed rice, grilled eel over steamed rice, sushi, or pork cutlet from 1,500 JPY. If you have any restrictions on foods, please let me know before the tour.
15:00-16:00 Your choice of one place from the following options.
You can find pictures of these places from the following link by clicking (>) in the left window.
Option A. Hachiman-gu Shrine
This shrine was established in 1063 for Minamoto Family who governed Japan in the 12th century. This shrine is very big and popular among local Japanese people to visit in new year days. (Admission free)
Option B. Hokoku-ji Temple
This temple was estalished in 1334 to commemorate Ashikaga Ietoki who was the grandfather of Takauji who started Muromachi period. The bamboo forest in the temple is something different from other places (Admission: 300 JPY except the guide). You can drink a cup of Japanese power green tea with sweets with the view of the bamboo forest. (Extra fee: 600 JPY except the guide)
Option C. Kencho-ji Temple
This temple was established in 1253 which ranked as No.1 Zen temple in Kamakura. You can see and take pictures of the marvelous Cloud Dragon in the ceiling which is as good as the one at Tenryu-ji Temple in Kyoto. (Admission: 500 JPY except the guide)
Option D. Enkaku-ji Temple
This temple was established in 1282 which ranked 2nd highest Zen temple in Kamakura. You can see and take a picture of the statue of Shaka in the main worship hall and a garden nearby. (Admission: 300 JPY except the guide)
Option E: Komachi street
Enjoy shopping and foods while walking along the long streets with unique shops of Japanese products and sweets. This street is very popular among local Japanese women.
Option F: Inamura-gasaki beach
If it is very fine, you can see Mt. Fuji from this beach.
If you come here, you will find a cozy restaurant for lunch and may try an Onsen (hot bath) next to the restaurant. They have several private Onsen.
(Admission of Onsen: public 1500 JPY +3000 JPY for a private Onsen with reservation )
Option G. Meigetsu-in Temple
This temple was established in 1160 to comfort the sprit of the samurai who died in the first battle between Heike and Genji families. This temple is very famous among local Japanese for its Hydrangea garden. So it's too busy to visit in June but is good to visit in other seasons for quiet and well maintained gardens. (Admission 500 JPY including the guide)
Option H. Tokei-ji and Jochi-ij Temples
Tokei-ji Temple was established in 1285 as a temple of nun i.e. convent. This temple had been offering the refuge for poor wives escaping from their husband until 1902.
Jochi-ji Temple was established in 1281 for Hojo family who governed the later part of Kamakura period and was the rank No. 4 Zen temple in Kamakura.
These temples are not popular yet among foreign tourists but are old hidden authentic temples. I'd recommend these temples, if you are getting tired of crowded popular places. (Admission 300 JPY in Jochi-ji except the guide, No photo allowed in Tokei-ji Temple)
16:30-18:00 return to your hotel by JR train
At your hotel
End of the tour
Ending Point
At your hotel
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, hotel pick up
Transportation cost of you and the guide (3,000 JPY per person)
Lunch of you and the guide (about 1,500 JPY per person)
Entrance fee of you (Big Buddha: 200 JPY, Hase-Dera: 400 JPY, Hokoku-Ji: 300 JPY, Kencho-Ji: 500 JPY, Enkaku-Ji: 300 JPY)
Tour Important Information
Most of the temples close about 16:00 to 17:00.
- The tour guide is not available on Monday.
- Please, send a direct message to the tour guide for confirming the availability before booking
Not available on Mondays.
Important message from the supplier
There is little restriction due to COVID 19 in Japan since 2023. I was vaccinated six times with the Pfizer one.
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 2014
About Tour Guide Yuki K.
I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015.
Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them more deeply than just visiting there by yourself or a member of group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!
Reviews
“Hakone trip”
Mr. Yuki was an incredible guide. He was precise with his time allowing us to see alot of sites within a short time. Amazing!
Yuki K.
Thanks for the review during our tour Yuki
“Well spent time”
The guide provides clear, detailed itineraries that cater to a wide range of interests—from art lovers and history buffs to foodies and beach enthusiasts.
Yuki K.
Dear Alex Thank you for your review of my Tokyo tour. We visited Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace. I hope you enjoyed Nihonbashi after my tour. Best regards Yuki
“Great trip”
The guide provides clear, detailed itineraries that cater to a wide range of interests—from history lovers and history buffs to foodies.
Yuki K.
Dear Alex Thank you for your review. We visited the great Buddha, Hase-dera Temple, and Hachiman-gu Shrine in Kamakura. I'm very glad you enjoyed my tour. Please give my best regards to your wife. Yuki
$223/ per group
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Tokyo tour à la carte half day
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Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kamakura
Discover Kamakura & Enoshima in 1 Day with a Licensed guide
*The 7 hours tour starts and ends at a station in Fujisawa or Kamakura If from Tokyo, it's 9 hours, +8000yen This 1 day Kamakura & Enoshima Itinerary is packed with a visit to an islet of Enoshima and visits to 2 Buddhist temples (Kotokuin with Great Buddha and Hase-dera) and 1 Shinto shrine (Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu) in Kamakura. From the hill-top of Enoshima island, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji when the weather is fine. *The itinerary can be customized to meet your requests
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.
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 !
Exploring the spirit of the samurai in Kamakura (7-hour excursion from central Tokyo)
Samurais emerged from lower ranking nobles given the task of policing and defending the east, the Kanto region in particular. They gradually gained power, leading to their establishing the first military government in Kamakura in the late 12th century. Around the same time, Zen was imported and taken to by the samurais. Explore the spirit of the samurai and Zen in Kamakura.
