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Kamakura Highlights: Great Buddha, Temples & Backstreets

The Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple.

Lots of cultural souvenirs available.

Each season offers a different charm.

The iconic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

Kamakura, Japan’s first samurai capital.

There’s a special kind of beauty on rainy days!

Interested in wearing a kimono? Tell me anytime!

Hasedera is one of Kamakura’s most charming spots.

Hase-dera: one place with many charms.

Kamakura Highlights: Great Buddha, Temples & Backstreets

Highlights

Joined 2025

Nahomi O.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kamakura

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Nahomi O.)

Up to 4 people

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.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

Kamakura Station (Flexible: Your Hotel or Preferred Location)

- I'm based on the Miura Peninsula, so meeting at a nearby station allows us to start the tour at a time that suits you best. However, if the timing works, I'm also happy to meet you at your hotel or preferred location in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, or other areas. Just send me a message in advance so we can coordinate the details.

10:10 AM

Engakuji Temple or Kamakura Museum of History and Culture

Engakuji is a historic and beautiful Zen temple located right next to Kita-Kamakura Station, just one stop before Kamakura. Built in the 13th century after the Mongol invasions, it was dedicated to honoring the souls of those who died on both sides. Compared to central Kamakura, it’s much quieter and more peaceful, making it a perfect place to start the day with a short briefing for our tour.

The Kamakura Museum of History and Culture, on the other hand, is a beautifully designed museum that presents the city’s samurai heritage and temple culture in a modern, accessible way.

We will begin our tour with a short stop at one of these two places.

11:00 AM

Komachi Street

A lively shopping alley filled with local snacks, handmade crafts, and great people-watching. We’ll enjoy some shopping and local street food, and when you find a spot that appeals to you, we’ll take a break for an early lunch. Please let me know if there’s something specific you’d like to try.

12:30 PM

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Kamakura’s iconic shrine, dedicated to the samurai protector deity. It will be great for learning Shinto basics and taking beautiful photos. If you have an interest in Buddhist statues, we can make a stop at the nearby museum as well.

01:30 PM

Getting to Hase Area: By Enoden Train, local bus or a Scenic Walk

To reach the Hase area, we have a few options:

- Enoden Train: A charming 2-car train that winds its way through residential neighborhoods. It’s fun and nostalgic, but often crowded with tourists.

- Walking: If the weather is nice and you enjoy exploring, we can walk about 2 kilometers (around 30 minutes at a relaxed pace) through quiet backstreets lined with traditional houses.

- Local Bus: A simple and comfortable alternative.

02:00 PM

Kotoku-in Temple (Great Buddha)

One of Japan’s most famous landmarks—the massive bronze Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura)—sits calmly under the open sky. This statue, Japan’s second tallest seated Buddha, stands 37 feet 5 inches (11.4 meters) tall. Cast in 1252, it was originally housed inside a large wooden hall. However, that hall was destroyed by natural disasters over time. Since the late 15th century, the Buddha has stood out in the open air, making it a truly unique and impressive sight.

02:30 PM

Hase-dera Temple

Walk to nearby Hase-dera, one of the prettiest temples in Kamakura. It is famous for its golden eleven-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, which stands 30 feet 2 inches (9.18 meters) tall.

Known as the “Temple of Flowers,” Hase-dera boasts beautiful seasonal blooms throughout the year and features many charming smiling Jizo statues in the precincts, making it very photogenic. It is especially popular during the hydrangea season.

03:30 PM

Tea Break (Flexible)

We can take a break at a café in the Hase area, depending on your preference.

04:00 PM

Local Bus Ride

We’ll take a local bus to return to Kamakura Station.

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

What‘s included

- Tour Guiding

- Japanese/English Interpreting

- Any entrance or admission fees

What‘s not included

- Meals or drinks you order at lunch, dinner, or cafés

- Transportation costs to/from Kamakura and within Kamakura

*The one-way fare from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line is 950 yen. If you choose to ride in the Green Car (first-class seat), it costs an additional 1,000 yen per person one way. So, if you take the Green Car for both directions, the total cost will be 3,900 yen per person. I recommend using the Green Car for a more comfortable and relaxing journey. I will support you with the travel route and purchasing Green Car tickets, so if you have any concerns, please feel free to message me in advance.

Tour Important Information

*Some of the temples and shrines in the standard itinerary have stairs or uneven paths, so they might not be suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

If you need step-free access, just let me know in advance. I’ll be happy to adjust the route and itinerary to make it easier for you.

*Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Important message from the supplier

I’m available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. However, the best day and time for the tour may vary depending on the destination. I’d be happy to adjust the schedule based on your interests and preferences, so please feel free to contact me to communicate.

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

Nahomi O.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Nahomi O.

Hello! I’m a local guide based in the Miura Peninsula, a beautiful coastal area just south of Tokyo. I’ve been living here for nearly 10 years, surrounded by the sea, fields, and a peaceful way of life.

The Miura Peninsula has many unique towns. Kamakura is an old capital where Japan’s first samurai government began. Yokosuka has long been a base for the Japanese Navy, and today it is a special mix of American and Japanese naval cultures. Misaki & Jogashima (Miura City) is a quiet fishing and farming town, very different from busy Tokyo. Hayama is a beautiful town with a summer house of the Japanese Imperial Family.

Through my tours, I want to show not only the famous places but also everyday life in Japan—especially how people live in small towns outside the big city. I hope you can feel the calm, kindness, and beauty of local life.

I’d love to show you the slower, more local side of Japan.

Let’s explore together!