- Tours›
- Day Trip
Scenic Kamakura, 6 hours
Kamakura, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, is a beautiful residential area dotted with zen temples. The Great Buddha is another highlight. The Pacific Ocean’s gentle breeze adds to the tranquil atmosphere.
We’ll find the most suitable mix of destinations to match your interests and physical exertion level. (See the ITINERARY)
A walking tour is good value for money (H1)! We’ll get to experience 5 temples and shrines!
For a more leisurely pace, a bus and a taxi are best.
See you in Kamakura!
Meeting Point
JR Kita Kamakura Station.
Please select TOUR A or B - you can exchange the spots from the optionals
Tokyo hotel meet-up is optional. If you want to meet-up and drop-off in Tokyo, the time you will spend in Kamakura will be about 3.5 hours. You need to extend the tour or cut one or two spots from the tour.
TOUR A - Recommended for the first timers
Meet-up at JR Kita-Kamakura Station
A1 Engaku-ji Temple (zen temple) (1 to 2hrs)
Both the temple bell and Shari-den Hall are national treasures. Excellent view of Mt. Fuji from the hilltop on nice winter days.
Entrance = 500 JPY / person
A2: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (1hr)
Largest Shinto shrine in the Kamakura area.
A3: Komachi Dori shopping street (1 to 2hrs)
Kamakura-bori store (local art), lunch and shopping
A4: The Great Buddha (11m high) - Kotokuin Temple (30mins)
Most popular sightseeing spot in this area.
Entrance = 300 JPY / person
A5: Hasedera Temple (1 to 1.5hrs)
Only time allows. In case our pace is slow, we are not able to visit.
There is a staircase with about 80 steps. Japanese garden; statue of Buddha with 11 heads; a unique cave shrine.
Entrance = 400 JPY / person
Vegetarian cafe in the temple grounds.
The tour ends at JR Kamakura Station
TOUR B : Hiking & walking tour (including up-hill and down-hill)
Visiting smaller shrines and temples which are not accessible by bus/train. 80% of the route is paved and flat. In case of rain, we will modify the route.
Meet-up at JR KIta-Kamakura Station
B1: Jouchi-ji Temple (zen temple, 30 mins)
Small rustic temple with statues of Amida, Shaka, and Miroku Buddhas. Shaka is the main Buddha flanked by two minor Buddhas.
Entrance = 200 JPY / person
B2: Money Washing Shrine - Zeniarai Benten (30 min)
The spring water in this cave is said to energize money and multiply it.
B3: Sasuke Inari Shrine (30 mins)
Red torii gates line the path to this small shrine on the side of the mountain.
About 1,000 miniature ceramic foxes are on the shrine grounds. Can you find them all?
B4:The Great Buddha (11m high) - Kotokuin Temple (30mins)
Most popular sightseeing spot in this area.
Entrance = 300 JPY / person
B5:Hasedera Temple (1 to 1.5hrs)
Only time allows. In case our pace is slow, we are not able to visit.
A lot of stairs. Japanese garden; statue of Buddha with 11 heads; a unique cave shrine.
Entrance = 400 JPY / person
Vegetarian cafe in the temple grounds.
The tour ends at JR Kamakura Station
Optional - You can exchange the spots.
Option A: Enoden train ride (between Hase/Kamakura and Fujisawa station 35 mins)
The tour will end at JR Fujisawa Station. We can get a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean and Enoshima Island.
Train fare = 500JPY/person
Option B: Tea Ceremony at Jomyoji Temple (30 mins)
Matcha green tea is served at a beautiful traditional room where we can appreciate a beautiful garden.
Entrance and Tea = 1,300JPY/ person
Option C: Bamboo Temple -Houkokuji ( 0.5 to 1hr)
Savor a cup of matcha green tea while enjoying the serene sight of the bamboo forest.
Entrance: 300 JPY / person, 600 JPY matcha
Option D: Meigetsuin Temple (30 mins)
Well-known for seasonal flowers and fall foliage on the temple grounds.
Entrance = 500 JPY / person
Enoshima island
Part of Enoshima & Kamakura tour on my tour page.
NOT INCLUDED in this tour.
Ending Point
JR Kamakura Station or at a pre-agreed place (in Tokyo, Yokohama and Fujisawa)
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
The following are PAID IN CASH on the day/s of the tour.
= Transportation (you & guide) = approx. 2,000++JPY/person (Tokyo round trip)
= Lunch / food / drinks (you & guide)
= Entrance fee (you & guide) = Guide has a pass for most temples.
=tour extension = 5,000JPY/hour
Tour Important Information
(1) Since some are located a little far from the train station, we would have to walk or take a bus/taxi. (2)JR Train fare (round trip from Tokyo) = approx. 2,000JPY. (3)The area is crowded on weekends, holidays, and the peak season (for cherry blossoms & fall foliage). (4) Only walking tours and H1 hiking tour are conducted during GW period (April.28 to May 5) to avoid the heavy holiday crowd.
Important message from the guide
Multiple-day bookings are encouraged. I might have greater flexibility in opening closed slots in this case. Let's talk about it. Send me a message! :‑)
MORE INFO:
= We use public transportation (train, subway, bus and/or taxi) in my tours as it's the best way to see the city.
= A custom tour = Please book at least SIX HOURS = 45,000JPY
= The meet-up time marks the official start of the tour.
= Hotel pick-ups = only in Central Tokyo, Yokohama, and a few hotels in Kawasaki.
= Four-hour tours available = Tokyo, Harajuku & Shibuya, Odaiba, Shinjuku, Ueno, Yokohama, and antique flea market. Please check out the corresponding tour pages.
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
Kamakura Tour Reviews
“Great tour with Toshi, excellent knowledge, and covered all the key sites”
We arranged to meet Toshi at the station and were immediately put at ease after meeting Toshi. Her knowledge and English were excellent and we experienced many aspects of Yokohama. We enjoyed a Chinese lunch (inexpensive) in China Town followed by a taxi ride to Sankeien Gardens. Again Toshi had very good knowledge of the most interesting aspects of the garden . In summary, we can highly recommend Toshi to provide an excellent private tour of Yokohama.
Toshi H.
(125 reviews)Thank you, Peter! It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife. Yokohama is one of my favorite places as the bay area is postcard pretty. Yokohama being historically significant yet considered a trend setter makes it very interesting to many visitors. Take care and I hope to tour you to other places in the future!
“Great custom tour”
We highly recommend Toshi. We asked for a customized tour for me and wife. A tour that would match our preferences and abilities. Toshi planned and executed just the right tour for us. She even adjusted it on the fly when needed. Toshi proved to be a knowledgeable guide well versed in the history of Japan in general and Tokyo in particular. She is also great fun to spend time with.
Toshi H.
(125 reviews)Thank you very much, Ami! I'm truly delighted to have you here in Tokyo. We were able to see a variety of places in one day. Our day began with a sense of reverence at Meiji-jingu Shrine. At Harajuku, we witnessed the vibrant fashion trends among the youth. Asakusa provided us with a unique blend of traditional charm and bustling energy. The Imperial Palace stood majestically beside the business district. Tokyo is full of surprises, isn't it? I sincerely hope you continue your Japanese adventure filled with joy and excitement. Enjoy the rest of your Japan adventure! Please take care of yourself.
Ray Q.
Two-day customized tour (12 hours in total )
Customized
“Tokyo with Toshi”
My family and I spent two days with Toshi touring the east and west side of Tokyo. Toshi communicated very well with us in English and took very good care of my 79 year old mother-in-law. We traveled primarily with the trains and I learned how to navigate the train system. Toshi took very good care of us and I would encourage others to take her tour.
Toshi H.
(125 reviews)Thank you so much, Ray! I had a wonderful time with your family. I felt like a member of your family and I quite enjoyed your company. I am happy that we were able to visit all the places you wanted to see. Asakusa is a traditional town while Shibuya is a hot spot in Tokyo. It was fun to see your family enjoying the local delicacies. Sushi, beef, mochi, crapes, etc. I hope you'll take home a treasure trove of wonderful memories. Enjoy the rest of your stay! Hope to see you again.
