Once the samurai capital of Japan, Kamakura is surrounded by hills on three sides and by an ocean beach on one side, which was the major reason for th...
East Exit of Kamakura station
Komyoji Temple
The graveyard of the Naito family
Wakae-jima
Zaimokuza Beach
Great Buddha
Hase Temple
Komachi-dori street
Kamakura station
Once the samurai capital of Japan, Kamakura is surrounded by hills on three sides and by an ocean beach on one side, which was the major reason for the first shogun Yoritomo to choose Kamakura as the site of his government. On this tour we first enjoy the beach area of Kamakura by taking a bus from Kamakura station to the extreme eastern side of Zaimokuza Beach to visit Komyoji Temple. This temple is the head temple of Jodo sect in eastern Japan, with the biggest wooden gate in Kamakura and two great ponds, one is a lotus pond where lotus floweres from 2000-year-old seeds bloom in summer, and the other is a rock garden with eight rocks representing Buddhas and great Buddhist masters. After the visit, we drop by a compound of huge tombstones belonging to the Naito family, enjoy walking of Zaimokuza Beach, where we can see Wakae-jima, the remains of the oldest man-made port which was the only international port in Japan around the 13th century, then go up along the Wakamiya-oji, the grand approach to Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine. At the Geba crossing, we turn left and take a bus at Rokujizo-mae to visit Great Buddha. Hase Temple, the second oldest temple in Kamakura, is several minute-walk from Great Buddha. After coming back to Kamakura station from Hase station by the Enoden Line, we'll enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori street.
guide fee
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, entrance fee,
The entrance fee of Komyoji Temple is free of charge.
For Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha), it is 300 yen for an adult (from a junior high school student), and 150 yen for a primary school child, and for Hase Temple, 400 yen and 200 yen each.
They are from Kamakura station to Komyoji Temple (bus) 200yen, from Rokujizo-mae to Great Buddha ( bus) 200 yen, and from Hase station to Kamakura station (Enoden Line) 200 yen.
Eri was a delight to be with in Kamakura. She was friendly and energetic. She gave a very nice tour of the city as we wandered through the city on foot. We discovered a new charming cafe. We would highly recommend her. Rajiv
Dear Rajiv, Thank you so much for your review! Yes, Kamakura is really a walkable city and it may be the best way to get around the places especially on such a beautiful day as our tour day. From our start at Kamakura station, we walked all our way without taking a bus or train during the tour. We enjoyed three places, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Zeniarai Benten or Money-washing Benten, and our last stop, Great Buddha together with some shopping on the Komachi-dori shopping streetl. The cafe you wrote about was really nice to take s rest, wasn't it? I myself could experience the joy of leisurely walking to my heart's content. It was such pleasure meeting you all in Kamakura! Best wishes, Eri
Eri was an outstanding tour guide and her English is excellent. She was able to give us an excellent travel experience in Kamakura.
Dear Howard, Thank you so much for your review! While arranging a tour for you and during the tour as well, I found your strong interest in Japanese gardens, especially in Zen Gardens very impressive. Althouth autumn leaves in Kamakura, which was your another desire to enjoy, were a little too early to be fully satisfactory, I was happy that there were some places where maple leaves were beautiful enough for your photo taking. I hope you come back again, maybe during early to middle of December next time. It was great meeting you in Kamakura!! Best regards, Eri
My 84 year old mother and I had a wonderful day in Kamakura with Eri. I could already tell from the description that she would be the perfect guide for us, and she exceeded our expectations. I was concerned about doing a great deal of walking with my mother, so Eri very quickly made a custom tour of Jomyoji Temple, Hokokuji Temple, Taurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Komachi-dori shopping and the Great Buddha. She had seamlessly arranged for bus transportation between each site. Eri explains each place with interesting facts and context. She went out of her way to ensure that we were comfortable. We enjoyed meeting her very much. As you can see from her other five star reviews, she is an extreme considerate and well-informed guide.
Dear Anna, Thank you so much for such a wonderful review for me!! I'm very happy to know that the arranged tour was just right for your mother. When we first met at Kamakura station, I was amazed that she was in very good shape and fun to talk with at that. Matcha greentea with chestnut yokan at the tea ceremony house in Jomyoji Temple, refreshing air in the bamboo forest at Hokokuji Temple, and other places we visited are all remembered with her jolly and cheerful talks. And also I was impressed by how you treated her as her loving daughter all the time during the tour. It was great meeting you two and again thank you very much for visiting Kamakura! Best wishes, Eri
Eri is an excellent guide. We were a group of three (family and friends) who had one free day while working in Yokohama. We decided very last minute to book a guide and visit Kamakura. Eri met us at the Kamakura station and spent 5-6 hours with us. She took us to several key sights and had lunch with us. She is very knowledgeable and has a wonderful, kind personality. She helped us understand the historical, cultural, and social context of key sights, as well as everyday places and items. It was a wonderful experience. You will not regret having Eri has your travel guide!
Dear Lori, Thank you very much for the wonderful review! The tour day was such a hot day that we needed a lot of drinks on the way, didn't we? But we were lucky without so much crowd around at each place we visited. At lunch time we enjoyed buckwheat noodles and you chose cold noodles with a little bit of hesitation because that was going to be your first time. But then you enjoyed it with a big smile, which was so impressive and made me happy. In spite of the fierce heat you all were energetic and jolly all the time. Thank you so much for visiting Kamakura and it was really great meeting you all! Best wishes, Eri