One-Day Ancient Wonders in Kamakura(Bamboo Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple)
Enjoy the historical city Kamakura and feel the old Japanese atmosphere of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrine!
At Hokokuji Temple you can enjoy matcha tea while viewing a beautiful bamboo forest.
Then we will visit Tsurugaoka-Hachimangu Shrine which was a shrine for samurai warriors and enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori shopping street near this shrine.
After lunch we will visit Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple using Enoden local train.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel
- I will meet you near the reception in the lobby of your hotel.
Your Hotel
Pick up at your hotel. Go to Kamakura Station by train.
Kamakura Station
Go to Hokokuji Temple by bus.
Hokokuji Temple
Known as a bamboo temple, Hokokuji Temple was founded in 1334, and is a Zen temple which has beautiful and relaxing bamboo forest. Staying inside the bamboo forest you will make your heart very peaceful. You can also enjoy Japanese matcha tea while watching the bamboo forest.
Go to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine by bus.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
This shrine was established in the 11th century as a shrine for samurai warriors and is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. You can pick a written oracle "Omikuji" and beautiful good luck charm for your souvenir. At the beginning of January, it is very crowded with people for the first shrine visit of the New Year.
Lunch and Shopping
Lunch at a restaurant near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori Shopping Street.
Komachi-dori shopping street is located between Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Kamakura Station. Over 250 shops are located along Komachi-dori, and you can find some quaint shops and traditional treats.
Kamakura Station
Go to Hase Station by Enoden local line.
Great Buddha
Great Buddha is a national treasure and located in Kotokuin Temple. It is unknown when this temple was established, but it is said Great Buddha was made in the 13th century.
It sits in the open air. Its height is about 11meters and weight is about 121 tons. You can get into the body of Buddha if you like.
Hasedera Temple
It is said that Hasedera Temple was established in 736. Its principal image of Buddha is Kannon Bodhisattva which has eleven faces. It is about 9 meters tall and one of the biggest wooden statues in Japan.
This temple is also known as “flower temple”. You can enjoy beautiful flower viewing in every season, and also beautiful ocean view from the lookout.
Kamakura Station
Go back to your hotel by train.
Your Hotel
End of the tour.
Ending Point
Kamakura Station or Your hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
1. Guide fee
2. Hotel pick-up
* Hotel pick-up is included if your hotel is located near a station on JR Yamanote Line or inside the circle of JR Yamanote Line. If extra transportation fees are necessary for hotel pick-up, I will let you know.
1. Transportation fee (you and your guide) : About 3,000 yen/adult
2. Admission fee (you and your guide) : About 2,000 yen/adult including matcha tasting
3. Lunch (you and your guide)
4. Beverages (beer, juice, etc.)
Tour Important Information
(1) By JR Train, it takes about an hour from Tokyo to Kamakura.
(2) This tour is also available for groups of 6 or more. Please inquire about guide fees for groups of 6 or more.
*** FAQ ***
(Q) Can I add or delete the places to visit?
(A) Yes, you can add or delete the places to visit. Please let me know the places you want to visit. I will make a customized tour for you.
My recommendation is the following shrine and temple.
(1) Zeniarai-benzaiten Shrine (Coin Washing Shrine)
Zeniarai-banzaiten Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Kamakura. People visit this shrine to wash their money (zeniarai means "coin washing"). It is said that money washed in the shrine's spring doubles.
(2) Sugimoto-dera Temple
Sugimoto-dera Temple is the oldest temple in Kamakura. It was established in the 8th century, about 450 years before the Kamakura Shogunate was opened. The main hall has a thatched roof. The three main principal images of Buddha are all eleven-faced Kannon statues, and two of them are important national cultural properties. You are allowed to enter the main hall and can see them very close.
You can also see the beautiful moss-covered stone steps at the entrance of this temple.
Important message from the supplier
Nothing speceial.
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
About Tour Guide Hiroshi S.
Hello, I'm Hiroshi.
I am a National Government Licensed Tour Guide Interpreter in English. I received a master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the U.S.
I have lived in a city of Fujisawa, which is a city next to Kamakura, for more than 20 years, and also used to live in Kamakura for more than 10 years. So far, I have visited almost all the temples and shrines in Kamakura. I am sure I can offer you a pleasant trip to the historical city!
In addition to Kamakura, I can also guide you around Tokyo, Yokohama, Hakone, Nikko, etc. because I have visited many places in Kanto area. For example, in Tokyo I can show you around many sightseeing spots, such as Asakusa, Tsukiji, Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree, etc.
I like baseball and used to play baseball, but now enjoy watching professional baseball games. And I like watching Rakugo, Japanese traditional story-telling performance.
Of course, I also like travelling very much, and am interested in Japanese culture and history. So I would like to show you Japanese tradition and culture.
Let’s enjoy a trip in Japan together.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Reviews
Jeetandra T.
“Hiroshi is the guy for you!”
We booked a full-day private tour with Hiroshi S. on March 27 for our family of four (2 adults and 2 children, ages 12 & 15), and it was the absolute highlight of our time in Tokyo. From the very beginning, the communication and planning were seamless. Professional & Knowledgeable Hiroshi was waiting for us exactly on time at the Meiji Jingu Shrine parking lot as promised. Throughout the 10+ hour day, he was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, sharing deep insights into Japanese culture, religion, and family life that kept all of us—including our teens—thoroughly engaged. A Truly Customized Experience Hiroshi went above and beyond to make the day special for us: Shibuya: He was happy to take videos of our family crossing the famous Shibuya Scramble and even assisted us with shopping at the Nintendo Center in Shibuya PARCO. Cruising & Culture: He accompanied us on the Symphony Cruise, providing wonderful commentary on our surroundings. He also guided us expertly through the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, and Nakamise Street. Magical Evening: We visited the Tokyo Skytree for sunset and then had a breathtaking walk along the Meguro River to see the night cherry blossoms (Yozakura) The Grand Finale: We ended our epic day at the glowing Tokyo Tower. Flexible and Fair We actually ended up exceeding our scheduled time by about an hour, and Hiroshi was incredibly reasonable with the additional charges. His flexibility made the end of our long day stress-free. If you are visiting Tokyo and want a guide who is professional, informative, and truly cares about your experience, Hiroshi is the guy for you! We would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a personalized Japanese adventure.
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for taking your time to write a review. I’m so glad you enjoyed our one-day tour of Tokyo. Meiji Shrine is a very peaceful place, even though it’s right in the middle of the city. Shibuya is close to Meiji Shrine, but it's a vibrant area for young people and is always bustling with energy. I’m sure you were surprised by the crowds at the Scramble Crossing. On the Symphony Cruise, we were able to enjoy views of Tokyo’s cityscape from the boat, including Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, etc. The nighttime cherry blossom viewing was also quite charming. If you have the chance to visit Japan again, let’s enjoy Japanese culture and customs together again. This time we were able to see the beautiful cherry blossoms, but next time, please come to see the beautiful autumn leaves. I look forward to seeing you again in Japan!
Delara M.
“Great Times”
We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide Hiroshi in Tokyo and Kawagoe. He was incredibly attentive, well‑organized, and thoughtful throughout the day. He kept us on schedule while still making sure we fully enjoyed each stop on our itinerary, which allowed us to see everything we had planned without ever feeling rushed. What truly stood out was how far above and beyond he went at the end of the tour - he personally escorted us all the way to the Shinkansen platform to ensure we boarded the correct train to Osaka on time. Knowing we wouldn’t miss our train gave us so much peace of mind. His time management, attention to detail, and genuine care for our experience made the entire journey smooth and stress‑free. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Tokyo or Kawagoe.
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for writing a review. I also had a great time with you. Kawagoe isn't too far from central Tokyo, but it's a place where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo period. Besides the Edo-era ambience, Kawagoe also boasts many delicious foods, and we enjoyed things like eel and sweets. In Tokyo, we visited Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, Tsukiji Market, and Asakusa. Meiji Shrine is very peaceful despite being in the city center. Shibuya, Tsukiji, and Asakusa were crowded, but I think you were able to enjoy both the quiet and bustling sides of Tokyo. Was the Shinkansen ride to Osaka comfortable? If you have the opportunity to come to Japan again, let's enjoy Japanese culture and food together!
Jolanta J.
“great day with super nice guide”
I really recommend to visit Tokyo with a guide. This way you avoid being lost many times and waste of time. I am very happy I met Hiroshi! He not only showed me great places in Tokyo, but also helped me find a gift I was looking for. I am very grateful for all his help and very nice company. The trip in his company was a great pleasure. He is not only competent guide, but also very good and kind man. Thank you again Hiroshi, for great time and all your help!
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Hiroshi S.
Thank you for taking your time to write a review. Tokyo's transportation system is very convenient, but also very complicated. I hope this tour helped you become familiar with it a little. We visited the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, and Shibuya, and I hope you were able to feel the Edo period atmosphere at the Imperial Palace, the New Year's mood at Meiji Shrine, and the crowds at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. If you have the opportunity to come to Japan, please contact me again. Let's enjoy Japanese culture and customs together!
$251/ per group
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Ganz private Führung nach Ihren Wünschen durch Kamakura
Das ist eine ganz persönliche Führung! Geben Sie mir Bescheid über Ihre Wünsche, was Sie machen/ ausprobieren/ essen möchten z. B. Wissen Sie nicht, was Sie tun möchten? Keine Sorge! Ich kann Ihnen auch was vorschlagen, je nach Ihren Wünschen! Fragen Sie mich bitte einfach! Unten gibt’s einige Ideen für Sie!
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