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Kitakamakura: Travel for Finding Oneself
Joined 2019
This tour takes you to historical sites in Kitakamakura (Northern Kamakura), letting you enjoy the traditional culture of Zen Buddhism and seasonal natural beauty in a quiet atmosphere. While visiting Zen temples, you experience a Zen-meditation session as well as Kaiseki-ryori, a set menu of Japanese traditional dishes for a party. This will surely purify your mind and be a once-in-lifetime experience.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Kitakamakura Station
Meeting
Engakuji Temple
One of the most important Zen Buddhist Temples, ranked the second among Kamakura's Five Mountains (great Zen temples)
Japanese restaurant
Have lunch of kaiseki-ryori, a set meal for a Japanese dinner party with healthy and delicious ingredients, at one of the most popular Japanese style restaurants in Kamakura
Kitakamakura Old Private House Museum
The museum inside an old private house built about 100 years ago to see its architecture and see a seasonal exhibition
Kenchoji Temple
Ranked at the top of Kamakura's Five Mountains (great Zen temples) and the oldest Zen training monastery
Zen Meditation Session at Kenchoji Temple
Join the one-hour Zen meditation session for beginners.
End of the tour
Ending Point
At 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
guide fee
transportation fee of guide
entrance fee of guide
lunch of guide
transportation fee (guest)
lunch (guest)
entrance fee (guest)
Tour Important Information
1. Zen meditation sessions are held every Friday and Saturday, so the tour starts only on those days of the week.
2. Since Zen meditation sessions are held in a tatami or straw mat room, you need to take off your shoes at the entrance. Casual clothes which are suitable for sitting on a tatami mat such as trousers and long skirts are recommended. You don't have to kneel on the floor in the formal sitting position. You can sit down the way you feel comfortable.
3. For lunch, a meal is served as a set menu. You will select one from some set menus but cannot order an individual dish.
Important message from the supplier
I have changed the day when I am available.
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 2019
About Tour Guide Haruo T.
I live in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. I have a license to teach in high schools and was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language in the University of Birmingham. Until 2015 I had been teaching English at public high schools in Kanagawa for 37 years. During that time, I had some experience of guiding students from overseas through sister-school relationship around Tokyo and Kanagawa. Therefore, I had good command of English with the TOEIC score of 935.
As for a tour guide experience I earned the certificate of National Government Licensed Guide-Interpreter in English and since then I have guided tourists to the popular sites around Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Yokosuka. My guiding focuses on introducing not only Japanese historical and cultural backgrounds but also giving tourists some tips to travel Japan only by themselves, such as how to use trains and subways, find good restaurants, reserve tickets, buy survenier, and speak basic Japanese. In addition, my tour includes opportunities to experience Japanese culture like Zen meditation, ninja performance, visiting anime's location sites based on tourists' request. Besides, by means of my hobbies of writing English Haiku and Waka (traditional Japanese poems) and performing Rakugo (traditional Japanese funny story telling) in English, I can surely entertain tourists during the tour.
My moto as a tour guide is let the tourists have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Japan with my profound, intelligible and interestiog guiding.
Reviews
“An amazing guide for an amazing start of our Japan Trip!”
As a first-time user of this service and traveler to Japan, I wholeheartedly recommend it to all foreigners visiting Japan for the first time. Haruo was exceptional in the lead-up to my arrival, promptly answering my questions and providing a clear itinerary while remaining flexible. His proficiency in English was impressive, and he offered insightful explanations about both the historical and modern aspects of Japan. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of our tour and would gladly book him again. One tip I would suggest is to ensure you have good walking skills for any Tokyo tour! Haruo was an excellent choice for our first day in Tokyo. Given that we were mentally exhausted from a long flight the previous day, having a tour with Haruo to navigate the intricacies of shrines and subway systems was incredibly beneficial. We visited many major sites, learning a wealth of historical information, and he was more than willing to adjust our itinerary based on our interests. He is a fantastic guide, and I highly recommend his services! Thank you very much, Haruo-san.
Haruo T.
Dear Pranav You are really one of the amazing guests I’ve ever guided. Thank you for your kind words and generosity. The tour with you will be an unforgettable memory in my life. Please take care of yourselves and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Haruo
“Awesome Tour of Tokyo!!”
1st time user of this service and traveller to Japan and I would recommend it 100% to all Foreigners visiting Japan for the 1st time. Haruro was great in the lead up prior to arriving to Japan in answering my questions and was transparent on the itinerary and flexible. His English was great and he explained the history of tradition and modern era of Japan. We loved every minute of our tour. I would recommend in booking him anytime. The only helpful hint I would advise is that you better bring your walking skills when you do any Tokyo tour!! Thank you very much Haruyo.
Haruo T.
Hi, Ibrahim. Thank you so much for the kind and generous review as well as your recommendation. I’m sure you will have a great tour in Tokyo and Osaka. Good luck for the horse race! Best regards to your amazing son.
Stacey H.
Tokyo: First Day on Your Trip to Japan Kasai and Odaiba for Stacey
Customized
“Tokyo Bay walking tour ”
Haruo was a great guide - took us to do and see what we asked for and more - explained points of interest on the way - would do another tour with him
Haruo T.
Thank you for the thoughtful and heartwarming review even though I made some mistakes during the tour. This encourages me a lot. Please enjoy the tour in Japan. I’m always wishing your safe and wonderful trip in Japan.
$149/ per group
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Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kamakura
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?
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If you're a history buff, a one-day tour of Kamakura is a must. This is the ancient city, where Japan's first samurai government was established. Stroll through serene Zen temples and beautiful shrines to feel the samurai spirit. Prepare for an unforgettable journey through Kamakura's glorious past!
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.
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.
