Kamakura is a popular tourist destination about an hour train ride away from Tokyo, having various historical sites such as temples and shrines. It also has natural beauty, surrounded by mountains and sea, and also many attractive small shops and restaurants.
We walk around the city, dropping in at popular spots, hidden sites, and neat shops on the main and back streets - like locals do.
At JR Kamakura Station, or JR Kita-Kamakura Station
Visit Engakuji Temple, a huge Zen temple with spacious grounds.
Arrive at Hase area and visit Kotokuin Temple where we can meet Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha statue.
Visit Hasedera Temple, situating a huge statue of Kannon, numerous statues of Jizo, and a beautiful Japanese-style garden.
You can enjoy viewing the spectacular scenery from a rise in the grounds.
Visit Hokokuji Temple and stroll in the bamboo garden.
While viewing the garden, having matcha, or green tea in a café might be a good break.
Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
We will walk around Wakamiya-oji and Komachi-dori Streets lined with various shops.
At JR Kamakura Station
This tour can be customized according to your request.
Kamakura is roughly categorized into 6 areas. I recommend choosing 2 to 4 areas for one day tour.
Based on you interest, I can include activities such as hiking, making traditional crafts, Buddhist training like Zen meditation and sutra-copying sessions, on an itinerary. Please let me know your requests in advance. I’ll take it consideration into making an itinerary.
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.
Areas:
1. Kita-Kamakura, Northern Kamakura Area – Magnificent temples dotting in the mountains
Engakuji Temple, Kenchoji Temple, Meigetsuin Temple, Tokeiji Temple, Jochiji Temple, etc.
2. Central Kamakura Area – The most bustling area of Kamakura
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Komachi-dori Street, Wakamiya-oji Street, Kamakura central food market, Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine, Sasuke Inari Shrine, etc.
3. Eastern Kamakura Area – A Quiet area of Kamakura
Egara Tenjinsha Shrine, Hokokuji Temple(Bamboo temple), Jomyoji Temple, Zuisenji Temple, etc.
4. Southeastern Kamakura Area – Bright and rustic area of Kamakura
Myohonji temple, Komyoji temple, Yakumo shrine, Zaimokuza Beach, etc.
5. Southwestern Kamakura Area – Featuring huge statues of Buddhas and a variety of shops lining the streets
Kotokuin Temple: Daibutsu(Great Buddha), Hasedera temple, Yuigahama-odori Street, Yuigahama Beach, etc.
6. Enoshima Area – A scenic island, located west of Kamakura
Enoshima Jinja Shrine, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden & Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, Enoshima Iwaya Cave, etc.
Activities:
1. Hiking – walking in mountain trails for about 60 minutes, appreciating wonderful nature
2. Making traditional crafts – experiencing Kamakurabori carving, traditional wooden craft for about 2 hours
3. Zen Buddhist trainings – Zen meditation, Sutra copying, etc. for about 2 hours each
guide fee
transportation fare(you and guide), admission fee, meals
I can guide you in Kagawa including Naoshima and the other venues of Setouchi Triennale.
If you would be interested in being guided by me in those places, please contact me to confirm my availability in advance.
This tour is a walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes.
From the center and east sides of Tokyo(Marunouchi, Asakusa, Ueno), the JR Yokosuka line takes you to Kamakura for about an hour.
The JR Shonan-Shinjuku line runs from the west of Tokyo(Shinjuku, Shibuya), taking about an hour with some trains requiring a transfer at Ofuna station.
The transportation fare is approximately 3,000 JPY for a round trip.
Although the cost varies according to our itinerary, a typical cost is 10,000 JPY per person.
- transportation fare: 4,000 JPY (Hotel - Kamakura, for a round trip)
- lunch: 3,000 JPY
- entrance fees, etc.: 3,000 JPY
For more details, please refer to the Questions and Answers below.
Cultural experiencing sessions are not always held everyday.
Please confirm to me the schedule in advance.
For example:
09:30 am
Meet at the exit of JR Kita-Kamakura Station and visit Engakuji Temple, a huge Zen temple with spacious grounds.
10:30 am
Move to Kamakura Station from Kita-Kamakura by train.
At Kamakura Station, we change a train to Enoden railway.
11:00 am
Arrive at Hase area and visit Kotokuin Temple where we can meet Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha statue.
11:45 am
Visit Hasedera Temple, situating a huge statue of Kannon, numerous statues of Jizo, and a beautiful Japanese-style garden.
You can enjoy viewing the spectacular scenery from a rise in the grounds.
12:30 pm
Move to Kamakura and change to a bus to Hokokuji Temple (Bamboo temple).
We can have lunch at a restaurant in Kamakura.
02:15 pm
Visit Hokokuji Temple and stroll in the bamboo garden.
While viewing the garden, having matcha, or green tea in a café might be a good break.
03:00 pm
Move to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine by bus.
03:30 pm
Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
We will walk around Wakamiya-oji and Komachi-dori Streets lined with various shops.
04:30 pm
Arrive at Kamakura Station and the tour ends
Yes, I can arrange a private car, and van according to your request.
The cost varies, depending on the type of car, time and mileage.
Aki was very easy to work with and accomodating to our group of 6. As requested, he put together a 3 day itinerary for us based upon our interests and desired activity level. He is quite knowledgeable about "all things Tokyo" as well as the Japanese culture and history. He is a master of the Tokyo transit system and without him we would have had a difficult time navigating around. We asked Aki to join us during our lunches to show our appreciation and to be able to converse with him on a more personal level. He was always early to arrive at our hotel for pick up. I would highly recommend him.
Dear Jerry, Thank you so much for giving me such an excellent rating and review! That's very nice of you to say. It was my pleasure to have guided you and your friends. I enjoyed touring and had a wonderful time with you too. Thanks for coming to Tokyo and choosing me as your guide! Sincerely, Aki
We spent three days with Aki, exploring the Setouchi Trienniale , using Takamatsu as a home base. We never could have done this without him. We had a great time. Thanks again Aki.
Dear Jerry, Thank you so much for giving me such an excellent rating and review! I enjoyed touring around the Setouchi islands and had a wonderful time with you too. Thanks for coming to Takamatsu and having me as your guide! Sincerely, Akio
We had only 5 hours to visit Kamakura....and gave Aki an almost impossible mission. He succeeded! We saw all of the major sites and enjoyed the wonderful explanations that Aki provided with clear and nuanced English.
Dear Jerome, Thank you so much for giving me such an excellent rating and review! That's very nice of you to say. I hope you are all fine after the tour on a hot day. It was my pleasure to have guided you around Kamakura. Thanks for choosing me as your tour guide! Sincerely, Aki
Aki was a great guide. He took us to all the places we were interested in and was flexible in his plans given our interests and needs. He clearly knew his way around the island and all the museums. Couldn't have asked for more.
Dear Robin, Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such an excellent review! It was my pleasure to have guided you around Naoshima. I enjoyed touring with you too. It was fun to bike around the island! I hope you enjoyed your stay on the beautiful island. Thanks for coming to Naoshima and choosing me as your tour guide! Sincerely, Aki