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Golden Route to 6 major sightseeing spots in Kamakura
Are you going to Kamakura for the first time, but not sure about where you should go? Here is a guide to the “Golden Route of Kamakura Sightseeing” that takes you to the six main tourist spots in Kamakura. The route will take you to Engakuji Temple, Kenchoji Temple, Zenarai Benzaiten, Daibutsu (Great Buddha), Hase Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), and Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, in that order.
Meeting Point
Tokyo station or your hotel 30 minutes walk to Tokyo station
- I will pick up you at Tokyo station or your hotel 30 minutes walk to Tokyo station.
Enkakuji-temple / arrive at the Kitakamakura station
We will start our journey in Kamakura from this station! And for the first spot where we visit is Enkakuji-temple. It is 5 minutes walk from the station. There are many attractions, such as the Engakuji Temple Shariden, a national treasure building, the Hongjong bell, also a national treasure, and many other cultural assets.
Kenchoji-temple
Kenchoji Temple is the first of the “Five Mountains of Kamakura. Its official name is “Kofuku-san Kencho Koukoku Zenji” (Kofuku-san Kencho Koukoku Zenji). The temple was founded in 1253 as Japan's first Zen monastery.
The main statue of Jizo Bosatsu is enshrined in the Buddhist hall, which was moved from Zojoji Temple in Shiba, Tokyo, during the Edo period (1603-1868). It is unusual for a Zen temple to have a Jizo as its principal image, but it seems to be related to the fact that there was originally an execution site where Kenchoji Temple was built, and there was a temple with a Jizo as its principal image to offer memorial services to those who had been executed.
Lunch at Kamakura
I will book any restaurants you want to eat so please send me the request about what kind of food you want to eat. I cannot guarantee your reservation, but I will do my best to accommodate your wishes.
Zeniaraibenten-shrine
It is believed that if you wash your money in the water from the spring that bubbles up in the cave at the back of the temple grounds, it will double your money, making it a popular spot in Kamakura that attracts many worshippers.
Sasuke-Inari-Shrine
Sasuke Inari Shrine is known as “Succession Inari.
After passing through the approach to the shrine with its forest of vermilion torii gates, like those of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, visitors will arrive at the shrine grounds, which are said to have an ethereal atmosphere like a hidden village. Many foxes, messengers of the gods, welcome you.
koutokuyin-temple
The symbol of Kamakura, the Great Buddha of Kamakura, is said to have been built in the middle of the Kamakura period, but details are not known. At first, there was a Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), but it was toppled by a great wind or destroyed by an earthquake tsunami, and eventually became the Daibutsu seated outdoors in an open-air position as we see it today.
Incidentally, the Great Buddha is the only one among the many Buddhist statues in Kamakura to be designated a National Treasure. It is also possible to enter the body of the Great Buddha to “see inside the womb,” which is a must-do experience.
Ending Point
Hase station
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Inclusions & Exclusions
・showing and introducing Japanese culture
-fees for the spots you visit
Enkakuji-temple: 500 yen for adults 200 yen for kids under 12
Kenchoji-temple: 500 yen for adults 200 yen for kids under 12
Zeniaraibenten-shrine: free but not include the cash need to pure
Sasuke-Inari-Shrine:free
koutokuyin-temple:300 yen for adults 150 yen for kids under 12
50 yen for Entrance fee to the womb of the Great Buddha
-the coins to offer prayer
-train tickets (estimate ticket fee 850yen~950yen)
- the cost of the lunch you took
-the souvenir you bought
Tour Important Information
• This tour involves a lot of walking, so please be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
• Several places we will visit do not accept credit cards, so please bring cash.
• Individuals with tattoos may not be able to enter temples. If you can hide the tattoos, please bring a jacket or extra attire to cover them up.
• On a tour date with heavy rain, the tour will still commence but some spots may be skipped.
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
