Kamakura "Zen Culture" Finding Tour
Joined 2016
Do you know a Japanese word, "Bushido" or samurai spirit? About 800 years ago, Kamakura became the center of the first samurai military government. Samurai warriors had austere lives. They were brave and didn't cling to life. They willingly devoted their lives to their jobs. How come they could get that extreme mindset? The secret was Zen Buddhism. Let's find Zen culture through visiting iconic Zen temples, Zen gardens, and experiencing Japanese distinctive beauty in this ancient capital city.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
at JR Kita-kamakura Station ( or at Your hotel; hotel pick-up fee is 2000JPY)
Engaku-ji Temple: One of the biggest Zen temples in Kamakura. There are many old and important structures placed in the huge precinct.
Tokei-ji Temple : Known as a flower temple. A Zen temple that kept giving a helping hand to unhappy women in the long history.
Hokoku-ji Temple: Famous for its bamboo garden. It also has a typical Zen garden.
Jomyo-ji Temple: A quiet Zen temple. If you like, you can have a teatime in a style of Japanese tea ceremony enjoying a view of Zen garden.
Sugimoto-dera Temple: The oldest temple in Kamakura. One of my most favorite temples. You can make face-to-face meeting with various Buddhist statues in the old main building just as ancient people did long long time ago.
Hachiman-gu Shrine : Kamakura's iconic tourist's destination. More than 800 years ago, this place was the center of the samurai government.
Komachi-dori Shopping Street: The street leads you to Kamakura St. where you get on a train to go back.
Ending Point
at JR Kamakura Station (or at Your hotel ; hotel sending fee is 2000JPY)
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
*guide fee
*transportation fee for your guide
*your transportation fee
In case you come from Tokyo area, one-way railway ticket from Tokyo to Kamakura costs you about 1000 yen/ adult.
In addition, after arriving at Kamakura, the following transportation fee is required.
To Engaku-ji Temple and Tokei-ji Temple: It requires a 5-minute ride on a JR train from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura that costs you 130 yen. One way will do.
To Hokoku-ji, Jomyo-ji, and Sugimoto-dera Temple: It requires a 10-minute ride on a bus. The round trip from/to Kamakura St. costs you 400/ adult.
*entrance fee
Engaku-ji Temple---500 yen / adult
Tokei-ji Temple---0 yen / adult, （Tokei-ji museum----400 yen / adult）
Hokoku-ji Temple---200 yen / adult
Jomyo-ji Temple--100 yen / adult
Sugimoto-dera Temple---200 yen / adult
Hachiman-gu Shrine: No entrance fee
●total transportation fee in Kamakura: 530 yen / person
●total entrance fee: 1000 yen / person
*expenses for lunch and tea break if you have, are on you.
*additional charge:2000yen in case you need the guide's hotel pick-up, and another 2000 yen for hotel sending
Tour Important Information
Important message from the supplier
Only day trips are available. No night tours.
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 2016
About Tour Guide Hiro Y.
Hello, my dear would-be guests! My name is Hiroko. People call me Hiro for short. I am a government licensed guide. Here I am to make your time in a tour full of fun and provide you an unforgettable travel experience of your life. I grew up and live in Yokohama that is adjacent to Tokyo. After many years of several English-related job experiences, such as translating, teaching, desk work, etc., I finally found this job, tour guide, which is a perfect fit for my true nature. I love meeting people, having fun with people, and am always looking for something interesting wanting to share it with people. How about spending a part of your precious time here in Japan with this cheerful, friendly and well-informed tour guide, Hiro?
Reviews
Giuseppe L.
“Lovely tour in Kamakura ”
Hiro is a very good guide and an extremely friendly person. Her English is excellent. She is always ready to explain a lot about what you are seeing and discuss about Japanese culture. We managed to see a lot of things in only half a day without the being rushed through our tour. Hiro was so kind to gift us with our own kanji name and an origami. She also managed to find us a great vegan spot for lunch. It was a great tour and we would totally recommend her as your guide. Thank you!
Hiro Y.
Hello, Giuseppe! Thank you so much for your kind words! I was the happiest guide in Japan on that day being with you and your wonderful family. Thank YOU for having me in your very special family tour. Always being full of smiles, what a cheerful family you are! Every one of you impressed me a lot, and I really feel grateful for letting me in your happy hours in Kamakura. Also thank you for the photos. They will be my treasure of the unforgettable time with you. From now on, whenever I have "Monburan" or "Daifuku-mochi", I'm sure I will remember all of your smiles. Thanks a million, again. Please convey my best regards to your beautiful wife and daughters. Cheers! Hiro
Marguerite K.
“Fantastic day in Kamakura with Hiro!”
Hiro is a lovely guide! She is so knowledgeable and kind, and tailored my day to what I wanted to see. We covered a lot of ground and she made sure we had plenty of time at every site, that she answered my questions, and that the day was well planned. I would recommend her gladly! Thank you Hiro for a great day!
Hiro Y.
Hi, Marguerite! I really appreciate your wonderful review and kind words. I'm so happy. Thank you very much for having me with you. It was a great day for me, too. You are such a good walker that we were able to make it to a lot of spots. Also you often asked me good questions that made me feel so happy! I'm so glad you like Kamakura. Please keep being a fan of Japan and come again. Thanks again and take care! Hiro
Silviya T.
“Perfect day in Kamakura with our great guide Hiro-san”
Hiro-san is amazing person on first place and great guide who cares about everything surrounding the tour of her guests. She made real boutique tour for me and my 23 years old son. It was wonderful, excellent day, full with fun, joy and so many interesting things that we learned from our hero Hiro-san. Dear our friend Hiro-san, thank you for all small details that you as a brilliant professional prepared for our tour. Thank you for the delicious (and spicy ;) ) home-made lunch and the warm hospitality from the lady and the chef (please, send our love and best wishes to them). Thank you for all your care and heart that you put making our day in Kamakura our best memory from Japan!
Hiro Y.
Dear Silviya-san, thank you very much for your wonderful comment and review to the tour. I can't thank you enough for having me with you and your son on one of your precious days in Japan. Your way of enjoying yourself and sharing fun with people around really impressed me. You are such an attractive person that I was so happy just being with you and talking with you. Your son is also really lovely person for me too. It was so happy and wonderful time that I really wanted to have more time together with you two. While I was waving good-by on the platform to you and your son leaving Kamakura Station at the end of the tour, I really really missed you. Thank YOU for all of your kindness, friendliness, and heartwarming words and everything. I'm glad to hear that you liked the lunch in that private-house restaurant. It was also a lot of fun for me to talk with the good local people. I really like your son's words, "This may be once-in-the-lifetime experience, so I'll try everything." Actually I was so surprised he ate the big salted plum (Umeboshi) in one bite! I love his spirit! I could never forget you and your son, and the happy tour with you. It was wonderful experience for me. Thanks again! I wish I could see you again some time in the future. Please convey my best regards to your son. Hiro
$215/ per group
More tours by Hiro Y.
Hiro's Kamakura As-you-like One-day Tour
Kamakura, a home to samurai culture and Zen Buddhism, is neighborhood of where I live and one of my living rooms that I'd really love to invite you to. I am also happy to share some exclusive info that only local residents know, as I show you around the place. Let me customize your one-day tour based on your requests or preference adding my recommendation out of my experience regarding the season.
Hiro's Kamakura As-you-like Half-day Tour
Let me customize your half-day tour based on your requests or preference adding my recommendation out of my experience. Kamakura, a home to samurai culture and Zen Buddhism, is neighborhood of where I live and one of my living rooms that I'd really love to invite you to. I am also happy to share some exclusive info that only local residents know,. You can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the ocean and mountains, and plenty of flowers in each season. I'm looking forward to sharing them with you.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kamakura
Hiro's Kamakura As-you-like One-day Tour
Kamakura, a home to samurai culture and Zen Buddhism, is neighborhood of where I live and one of my living rooms that I'd really love to invite you to. I am also happy to share some exclusive info that only local residents know, as I show you around the place. Let me customize your one-day tour based on your requests or preference adding my recommendation out of my experience regarding the season.
One-day tour from Kita-Kamakura to Enoshima
Just over an hour from Tokyo, you can visit an ancient capital with a completely different history. Kamakura was a town that became the center of politics under Minamoto no Yoritomo in the 12th century. Kamakura is a town of samurai, and Zen was also loved by the samurai. Kamakura is also the city where Zen Buddhism was brought to Japan and widely spread. Why not walk me through Kamakura, a town nurtured by history and culture?
Explore the connection between the Samurai Government and Buddhism!
The Kamakura Shogunate, established by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1192, marked the beginning of feudal military government. This period was characterized by the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of a feudal system. It was also marked by both the patronage of Buddhism by the ruling class and the rise of new Buddhist movements that catered to the spiritual needs of the samurai and common people alike. We will explore these facts by visiting some temples and shrines.
Kamakura & Yokosuka: History of War and Peace Tour
This tour takes you to historical sites on wars and peace. In the morning, explore Kamakura to visit the sites related to the battles of samurais to learn about battles in the middle age. After lunch at Komachidori Street, move to the city of Yokosuka to visit Yokosuka Navel Port and Memorial Battleship Mikasa to know about the wars in the modern era. If you want to take the tour of either Kamakura or Yokosuka, it is possible to change the itinerary.
