Kamakura Day Hike with Local Expert
Kamakura is a small, quiet, lovely town, one hour south of Tokyo. It was Japan's political center around the 13th century. This tour is especially recommended for nature lovers who seek a day-escape from busy Tokyo. It covers many hidden spots never visited in a large group tour. You will visit some famous spots like the Great Buddha as well. Kamakura is my hometown when I spent half of my life and I still often visitt to see my family. I'm sure you can enjoy the area just like locals do.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or at any major station convenient for you in central Tokyo
Your hotel or any place of your convenience in Tokyo
- Meet up and get ready for hiking
- ride train to Kamakura direction
JR Kitakamakura station
- start waking/hiking
ancient Zen temples and local Shinto shrines (such as Tokeiji, Jochiji, Zeniarai Benten shrine, etc.)
- 120-minute fun hiking trail in great nature visiting acient Zen temples, local hidden shrines, and some other scenic, historical spots on the way (the time might be extended)
- I'll show you some options and visiting spots will be decided depending on your interest
Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
- Icon of Kamakura
- Large bronze Buddha statue cast in the 13th century- National Treasure
*300 yen/adult
Local restaurant
Lunch / if we snack along the hiking trail, it can be skipped or postponed
Hasedera temple / Enoden street car ride / Seaside / Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine
- the rest of your attractions and destinations are up to you
- I will explaing the options
JR train station (Kamakura or Ofuna) or any place of your convenience
- the end of the tour
Ending Point
JR station (Kamakura or Ofuna) depending on the itinerary
Want to personalize this tour?
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
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 fee (you and guide): e.g. ① JR round trip between Tokyo and Kamakura (2000 yen/adult) ② Enoden 2 rides (about 500 yen)
■ lunch
■ admission fee: e.g. Great Buddha (300 yen/adult) Hasedera temple (400 yen/adult)
Tour Important Information
■ Please wear comfortable shoes and outfits for hiking. Short pants and short-sleeved shirts are NOT recommended for your safety and comfort.
■ Let me remind you that we need to change the itinerary if the weather is unfavorable. I will suggest some other alternative plans in that case.
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
About Tour Guide Tomoko H.
Hi everyone! Hearty welcome to Japan.
I’m Tomoko.
I am an English-speaking licensed tour guide, and a registered nurse as well.
“Fun Discovering Experience Walking like a Local!” – F-D-E-W-L!
That’s what I suggest.
【Experiences】
My work history is as follows.
1) high school teacher ---12 years
2) nurse--8 years + 2 years as operational manager for Kamakura city vaccination team (during COVID period)
3) tourism related jobs such as tour conducting, guiding, and backyard supporting---10 years
As a tour conductor, I’ve visited about 20 foreign countries (possibly yours?) as well as countless number of towns and villages in Japan.
I’ve enjoyed these jobs while being a mother.
Through these experiences with lots of people from different backgrounds, I've found it a great pleasure to share the joy of learning and experiencing something new!
【Guiding Areas】
<Basic> Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Fuji, Yokohama, Nikko, and other neighboring areas from Tokyo
I’m a specialist in Tokyo and Kamakura as I have lived and enjoyed walking a lot in those cities for decades. To be honest, even after all my years here, I still enjoy exploring like a tourist as Tokyo is such an enormous city with great diversity and is constantly changing.
Kamakura is a historical small city with nice beaches and hills and lots of hidden spots of beauty. Almost every time I go out, I feel I’m still making new discoveries. That’s why I cannot stop exploring.
I would take you to some neighboring areas like Hakone, Yokohama, Nikko, and Mt. Fuji area (Lake Kawaguchiko), etc.
<Based on Requests > *if my transportation & accommodation are covered
Nagoya, Kyoto, Nagano(Nagano city, Snow Monkey park, Kisoji trail, etc.), Hida (Takayama, Shirakawa-go), Kanazawa, Oita, Yamagata, Akita, etc.
My original family is from Nagoya, so I know their culture and even their language(dialect) well. Later in my life, I have lived in Oita, Kyushu(far south west of Tokyo) for nearly 10 years and traveled a lot in Kyushu. I love traveling Tohoku, the northern Japan area, too. I’ve planned and enjoyed visiting many of those local areas in the north, too. So, I could share those experiences with you even while having tours in Tokyo or online.
【Personality and others】
- I love meeting people, listening and talking to them.
- I'm friendly and caring, I hope:)
- I love nature and enjoy hiking and skiing.
- I love seasonal flowers and good local food.
- You will see a lot about Japanese culture, nature, and lifestyle with me.
What has made you decide to come to Japan, by the way? Is it its scenic beauties, exotic culture, history, food, anime, or what else? Is it your business that has brought (or will bring) you here? Let me have a clue and customize your tour. I will make the best tour suggestion for you.
Why don’t you contact me now? I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you! Arigato-gozaimas!
Reviews
My L.
“Tour of Mt. Fuji/Hakone”
Because of a typhoon, we had to cancel our trip to Mt. Fuji, but we still had a great time with Tomoko in Tokyo. She was terrific! She helped us with our change of plans and we end up with a wonderful day in Tokyo. She is a joy to be around and I would highly recommend her as a guide! She has great communications skills and very personable. We hope to see her again when we come back to Japan!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
Tomoko H.
Hi My Le, Thank you for your lovely review. It was quite a nerve-wracking experience with the typhoon, wasn’t it? It was a shame you couldn’t visit Fuji and Hakone, but I’m relieved that we were able to change the itinerary to Tokyo and that you were able to have a safe and enjoyable time. After viewing Japanese paintings and doing some shopping, we were among the very last visitors at both the sushi restaurant and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, but I had a wonderful time with your three-generation family, who were full of humour, and it was a truly memorable day. Your parents and you both have taught me the secret to staying young: taking an interest in all sorts of things, enjoying life with an open mind, and laughing. With respect,- Tomoko
Laureen J.
“ A Perfect Day in Tokyo with Tomoko – Beyond Our Expectations!”
Our day in Tokyo was absolutely out of this world! We had a group of 11 and chose to hire a driver so we could make the most of our limited time in the city. It was one of the best decisions we made, and having Tomoko as our guide made the day truly unforgettable. Tomoko was outstanding from start to finish. She planned a wonderful itinerary that included the Imperial Palace and its surroundings, Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo Skytree Town, and the Harajuku and Shibuya areas. One of the highlights of the day was lunch that Tomoko arranged for us on the 30th floor of a skyscraper overlooking Tokyo. The views were incredible, and the sushi was outstanding. What made the experience so special was Tomoko herself. She was kind, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cared about making sure everyone in our group had a wonderful day. She walked with us through the shopping districts, helped us find the Onitsuka Tiger shoes that several members of our group were hoping to purchase, and never made us feel rushed. At the end of the day, Tomoko accompanied us all the way back to our cruise terminal, made sure everyone was safely back on the ship, and only then headed home herself. That level of care and dedication speaks volumes about the kind of person she is. Tomoko is truly one of a kind. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, caring, and exceptional guide for a perfect day in Tokyo, look no further. I cannot wait to return to Tokyo and see her again. Thank you, Tomoko, for a memorable day that our family will never forget.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
Tomoko H.
Dear Laureen, thank you for the wonderful review. You’ve been so generous with your praise that I feel like I could “crawl into a hole” (I’m a bit embarrassed), but I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Our exchange started in a very interesting way. I received an inquiry with almost the exact same details from another lady—whose name also starts with “L”—at around the same time. (She mentioned that you were traveling on a cruise ship and that your family consists of 11 members.) I immediately realized that you must be a very loving family.Even though we were both working and dealing with the time difference, I really enjoyed our detailed planning emails. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review despite your busy schedule after returning from your trip. I hope you and your family are all doing well. I look forward to seeing you again.‐ Tomoko
Josh K.
“Fun, full day tour with a true professional”
We spent a full day with Tomoko exploring Kamakura and Enoshima as a daytrip from Tokyo. Tomoko knows this area extremely well so she had everything planned out and adapted logistics as the day unfolded. She provided just the right amount and type of commentary on places visited and brought us to a very traditional soba&tempura restaurant for lunch. She is a natural conversationalist and will feel like a friend by end of the day. Her pre-tour communications are extensive as well. We had a great time with Tomoko and saw everything imagined and then some. We recommend Tomoko 100%, 10 out of 10, a top notch tour guide.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10819/65393.jpg)
Tomoko H.
Thank you for the wonderful review. The Kamakura tour with you and your family was so much fun. Even with jet lag, everyone walked so well! The beautiful bamboo temple, Hachimangu Shrine, lunch and shopping, the Great Buddha and Hase-dera Temple, and then the caves carved by the waves on the back side of Enoshima (where the dragon lives!)—I’d secretly worried we might not make it that far. Since you told me your family’s specific requests and preferences in advance, it made planning much easier. I appreciate your cooperation. Thank you, Joshi, Amy, Caroline, and Adelaide!
$417/ per group
More tours by Tomoko H.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2918/85893.jpg)
One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
Recommended for those who want to make the best of your limited days in Tokyo! First, choose 1 or 2 places from the selection list in ‘Highlights,’ and let me know your requests. Then I will suggest the best itinerary especially for you. If you are thinking of touring around other areas starting from Tokyo or ending at Tokyo, I could assist your planning as a tour guide+consultant. Feel free to contact me.
One Day Customized Tour in Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3505/88456.jpg)
Hakone Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
One-day fun excursion to Hakone from Tokyo. Hakone is a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo. This tour covers the highlights of Hakone. You will enjoy its natural beauties, spectacular views of volcanic activity, a lovely museum with great masterpieces, historical sites, and fun vehicle rides. If weather permits, the view of Mt. Fuji is gorgeous! Fun excursion for both adults and children.
Hakone Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3501/85854.jpg)
Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Kamakura, a small, coastal city just one hour south of Tokyo. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments as well as beautiful beach and forestry hills. Refer to this model plan, and I will customize your tour based on your tastes and requests. Count on me, Kamakura specialist!
Kamakura Highlights with Local Expert - from Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/5163/88486.jpg)
Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
One day fun excursion to Nikko from Tokyo. Nikko is the perfect destination for those who want to escape busy Tokyo and enjoy great nature and historical beauty. Nikko is designated as Japan’s National Park as well as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. 2 hours north-east of Tokyo by train. Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine is what you cannot miss. Your tour can be customized depending on your interests. Do not miss tasting local food, too. Let’s enjoy the beauties of Nikko together!
Nikko Highlights - One Day Excursion from Tokyo
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Kamakura
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/844/133604.jpg)
Private Day Tour to Kamakura – Great Buddha & Hasedera Temple
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.
Private Day Tour to Kamakura – Great Buddha & Hasedera Temple
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/425/87267.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2702/180640.jpg)
Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo
Kamakura is called "Kyoto of Eastern Japan", because it used to be the capital of Japan from 12th to 14th century, and the first government by the Shogun, a top of samurai warriors, was located here. Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In this tour, we will visit three famous temples and one shrine. Personally, I love Kamakura so much and strongly recommend this tour to you, because there are so many beautiful places here.
Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/8618/43504.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2766/86485.jpg)
geschichtliche Stadt Kamakura
Kamakura war eine Hauptstadt in der Kamakura-Zeit im 12.-14. Jh. Es gibt heute noch viele Tempels und Schreins wie in Kyoto. Sie koennen die Atmosphaere der Samurai-Zeit geniessen.
geschichtliche Stadt Kamakura
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10684/50977.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/22954/bb1b0c7b-49dd-4731-a737-053919afc05b.jpg)
Discover Ofuna, Kamakura & Enoshima: Temples, Shrines & Scenic Coastal Views with a Licensed Guide
Discover the highlights of the Kamakura area, once the center of Japan’s samurai rule from the late 12th century to 1333. While relatively stable, this period also faced two Mongol invasions as well as earthquakes, epidemics, and famines, which shaped society. During this time, Kamakura Buddhism spread among both samurai and common people. Today, its legacy lives on in Zen temples, historic shrines, and spiritual traditions. Enjoy peaceful gardens, vibrant streets, and coastal views.
Discover Ofuna, Kamakura & Enoshima: Temples, Shrines & Scenic Coastal Views with a Licensed Guide
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/96174/9aed17aa-e351-42ed-965d-25f0d5ac5da8.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91709.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91710.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91712.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91711.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91713.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91719.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91714.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91715.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91716.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/91717.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/2901/53358.jpg)