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The town nestled in a rigorous atmosphere
The Kamakura Shogunate was established in the contemporary Kamakura in 1192 by Minamoto-no-Yoritomo of Genji clan. It was the beginning of the samurai society in Japan. Yoritomo was not only competent in consolidating samurais roaming here and there looking for a master, but also in administrating of any entity. Hojo family, the successor of Yoritomo was also the same case. They not only put the emphasis on keeping up the regime, but also encouraged the Zen sect of Buddhism widely.
Meeting Point
Kitakamakura station
Kitakamakura station(Meeting Place)
Kitakamakura station is located in Kamakura city. You can reach the station by Yokosuka line of JR Tokai, about one hour from Tokyo station. I would like to pick you up at the station at 10:00am.
Enkakukji temple
After meeting you at Kitakamakura station, we will go to Enkakuji temple, which is located not so far from Kitakamakura station, only approx. 10 minutes away from Kitakamakura station. Enkakuji temple is a very much famous Zen temple in that it conveys the first original style taken up for the construction of Zen temple in Japan.
The leaders of Kamakura shogunates encouraged the construction of Zen temples. Why so?? Because Zen was very much fitted for fostering Samurai spirit among samurai class.
We will stay there for about 45 minutes. And then we will leave the temple to go to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine on foot, located 30 minutes walking from the temple. On the way, you can enjoy the typical atmosphere of the town of Kamakura.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine was constructed by the order of Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, who established the regime of Kamakura shogunate. Passing through the third Torii gate and the arched bridge, you will see two ponds named Genpei ponds, the field of the art of shooting arrows on horseback and a music pavilion. A sad story has been handed down up until now about the music pavilion.
And then, the main hall of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine comes into your sight. The deities of the shrine are composed of three gods. Every new year, a lot of people usually pay a visit of the shrine for happiness and good luck for the coming year.
We will spend the time there for about one hour.
A restaurant located near Kamakura station to enjoy some lunch
I would like to recommend you some restaurant located near the Kamakura station. When it comes to the recipe of Kamakura, it will be Shirasu-don. You never miss it. it is almost a must for the visitors of Kamakura.
The duration of time for the lunch will be 45 minutes.
Hokokuji Temple
After the lunch, we will go to Hokokuji temple by bus, starting from the bus stop in front of Kamakura station. We will arrive at Hokuji temple in 10 minutes or so.
Hokokuji temple was constructed though the efforts of Ashikaga family. Ashikaga family drove the Kamakura shogunate in reign of 14th generation of Hojo family to ruin finally, taking advantage of the devastated situation of the Kamakura shogunate caused by two times of furious battles against Mongolian soldiers. Ashikaga family paved the way toward the establishment of the new era of Muromachi.
Hokokuji temple is also rooted in Rinzsai sect of Zen budhism. Hokoku temple is very much famous for its beautiful bamboo garden.
We will stay here for about one hour.
Kotokuin Daibutsu
After the visit to Hokokuji temple, we will go back to Kamakura station, and there we will get on a local train named Enoden to go to Hase station where the Daibutus is located.
You will be surprised at the huge Buddha. The statue was housed in the first, but later due to a Tsunami caused by an earthquake which occurred in Muromachi era, the house was completely destroyed. The statue is 13.35 meters in height from the ground. You can get into the inside of the statue. We will stay there for about one hour. And we will go back to Kamakura station, at around 5 o'clock.
You can get on the train of Shonan line of JR Tokai at Kamakura station.
Ending Point
Kamakura station
Ending Point
Kamakura station
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
・Transportation fee for guide will be 2,100yen.
・Clients will kindly cover lunch expenses for the guide.
・If the tour exceeds the scheduled time longer than one hour, additional charge of 4,500yen which is guide fee for per hour will be requested to you.
・If you want me to pick you up at some hotel in Tokyo in the morning at around 9:00am, additional charge of 4,000yen including transportation fee and pick-up service will be requested to you.
Tour Important Information
・Kitakamakura station is located almost 1 hour away from Tokyo station. You can come down to the station by Yokosuka line of JR Tokai.
・If there is a possibility that you will be delayed for the meeting time, please contact me by telephone in advance.
・The tour will be conducted except for a severe bad weather, such as a storm or something like that.
・In the tour, we will get on a bus and also "Enoden" a local train, so, please prepare a small amount of money, for example 1,000yen or so.
・You also need to pay some entrance fee for the temples.
Enkakuji temple (@500en: adult, @200yen: junior high school & elementary school students)
Hokokuji Temple (@300yen: above junior high school students)
Daitokuin temple (@300yen: above junior high school students, @150yen: elementary school students)
・Lunch cost will be between 1,000en and 2,000en.
・The place for see-you-off will be Kamakura station.
Kamakura is one hour away from Tokyo by train, not only easily accessible from Tokyo, but also a must to visit to know the Japanese tradition of Samurai spirit.
Kamakura Shogunate, the root of Samurai Japan was established in 1192 by Yoritomo Minamoto, who was the successor of Genji clan, one of the two major Samurai clans in line with Heike clan. In the early part of 12 century, Heike clan was predominant over Genji clan, but they took the way to draw up to the court people who were predominant in Kyoto under the guardianship of the Emperor’s system.
However, later Yoritomo Minamoto of Genji clan and Kiyomori Taira of H1amoto with the backup of Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa got a victory over Kiyomori Taira and was inaugurated to the position of Shogun. He took the policy to keep aloof from court people of Kyoto, establishing the regime in Kamakura. Later he succeeded in controlling almost of the Eastern part of Japan.
Yoritomo Minamoto died suddenly in 1199, and Hojo clan, the family lineage of Masako, the Yoritomo’s wife succeeded the regime, which lasted for 14 generations, ending at the regime of Takatoki Hojo in 1333. Hojo family was very much wise, never asking for the position of Shogun, instead continued to remain in the position of regent to support Emperors.
Hojo also put a lot of emphasis to construct a lot of temples in Kamkura because they know well about the role of Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism to maintain their political regime
You will see a lot of temples within the city, numbering more than 100.
Kamakura is the root of Japanese.
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
Kamakura Tour Reviews
“Excellent ”
My wife and I had a great day in Tokyo with Choyo san.
Choyo T.
(3 reviews)Thank you for your comment!!
“Exceptional Tour Guide”
Mr. Choyo Tanaka was an awesome guide! He was very professional, very friendly, and very patient with us. There was no hurry to get through our set schedule. Instead he moved at our pace. And he was ever mindful of our needs. Constantly checking if we were ok. We visited a few of the tourist hotspots in Tokyo and he was very knowledgeable in sharing the history of each place. We had a great day with Mr. Tanaka and would highly recommend him!
Choyo T.
(3 reviews)Thank you very much for your warm-hearted comment with me. But, frankly speaking your estimation about me is too much for me. I only try to be a facilitator to introduce Japan and Japanese culture to foreign visitors who visit Japan with a lot of expectation to know inside and outside of Japan. The only thing I can do for them is to do the best to meet their demand. God bless you and your family!!!
Burhanuddin M.
Two days exciting tour to Nagano to see Sakura & castle, enjoy soba-making, many more!
Customized
I think the guide do not have sufficient knowledge on the place we are visiting and also the route. It is a waste of my time and should not be allowed to guide to places where he is not familiar. If he need to read the information given at the place of interest, I also can read and I don't need his service. TQ
Choyo T.
(3 reviews)Thank you for your review about our two days tour of Nagano. I was careless about skipping the information of Ueda castle to you. It is a long story, but I should have done. And one more, I and my driver feel deeply sorry for being delayed in arriving at the hotel because of making wrong choice of the route on the way back to the hotel.
