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.
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)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
*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
Only day trips are available. No night tours.
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?
Julie M.
“A fascinating and fun day to Kamakura - 5 of 5 stars!”
We have just spent the most wonderful day with Hiro, touring the amazing sites of Kamakura. She was recommended to us by a friend who had toured with her previously and certainly did not disappoint! From the first inquiry she was a joy to work with, communicating with us before the trip to tailor the day to our interests and providing clear travel recommendations to help us get from Tokyo to Kamakura easily (it is astonishingly easy, by the way). As a guide, she is kind, friendly, fun and very very knowledgeable. We felt like we had spent the day with a new local friend. If you are considering visiting Kamakura, I cannot recommend Hiro highly enough! You will never regret booking a tour with her.
Hiro Y.
Hello, dear Julie! I really appreciate your wonderful comment, and I feel so grateful for getting to know you and William thanks to Amy. I also had a great day with such wonderful people like you two. Thank you so much for having me on your precious trip with your beloved son, and I really appreciate your interest in Kamakura and your profound understanding about Japanese culture. On that day, I was the happiest guide in Japan talking and walking with you two including singing and vending-machine hunting :-). The day with you has become an unforgettable memory of mine. Please convey my best regards to William and Amy. Thanks again, Julie, for everything. It would be so wonderful if I could see you again some time. Warmest regards, Hiro
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
$214/ per group