Kamakura is a cozy seaside town with many historical sites and just one hour train ride from Tokyo. It is an important city in the Japanese history since the first samurai warrior's government was established here in the 12th century and was the political center for about 140 years. On this tour, we'll visit four popular religious sites, each with its own unique attractions.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
at your hotel lobby in Tokyo.
- If your accommodation is far away from a station or located in a place difficult to find, the meeting place might be changed to the nearest station to your accommodation or the other appropriate spot.
a station near your hotel
take a train to Kamakura, an hour train ride from Tokyo. After getting to Kamakura, we take a local train to Hase.
Hase Temple
The temple is famous for its large gilded statue of Kannon-Bosatsu and beautifully maintained garden with seasonal flowers.
Great Buddha in Kotokuin Temple
Built in the mid-13th century, it is the second largest statue in Japan with 12 meters tall and 121 tons in weight. After visiting the temple, we stop by a nearby beach where people enjoy surfing and sailing.
Lunch at local restaurants
Kamakura is located near the sea and an agricultural area. You can enjoy fresh seafood and vegetables for lunch at local restaurants.
Hokokuji Temple
It's a Zen Buddhism temple and very popular for the beautiful bamboo grove. Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 13th century and flourished here in Kamakura.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
It was originally built in the late 12th century by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura feudal government. Located in the center of the town, it's been a symbol of the area ever since.
Kamakura Station
take a train back to Tokyo.
your hotel or a nearby railway station
Ending Point
at your hotel or a nearby railway station in Tokyo
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guiding fee, hotel pickup and drop-off
The transportation fee for you and a guide (3,000yen per adult, about $20), the admissions for you (1,100yen per adult, about $8), the lunch fee for you and a guide (3,000yen per adult, about $20): Total $48
1. The tour is conducted only weekdays excluding Saturday and Sunday.
2. If you have any food restrictions, please let me know in advance.
3.The is a tour enjoying walking around the sightseeing spots. You are recommended to wear shoes suitable for walking. We don't use a tourist taxi.
4.The tour is not covered with any travel insurances. I'd recommend that you buy your own travel insurance in case of any unexpected accidents, losses, or breaking other's properties. Of course, I'll do my best to keep you away from such risks.
Direct bookings are not accepted. Please be sure to contact me in advance of your desired tour date.
Hello my guests, I'm Toru, a national licensed tour guide. I've been mainly guiding around Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, and Nikko for an individual or small group tourists . I'm living in a town near Narita International Airport.
It's often said that one of the characteristics of the Japanese culture is sticking to details and yet tries to conceal its care. It means that there are a pile of unspoken stories behind what you see in Japan. I'm always trying to be an interpreter of those stories and help you enjoy the secrets of Japanese cultures.
I'm offering four tour plans of Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, and Nikko. I think they are the best plans especially for the first timers to Japan because they're prepared to include all must-see spots in the area. If you are repeaters or interested in the other things or places, please don't hesitate to require what you want. Let's make the best plan for you together. I'm looking forward to seeing you in Japan.
Beverly B.
“Wonderful tour guide!”
Toru allowed us to customize our tour, and we packed a lot into eight hours! Without him, we would have never mastered the trains well enough to see so much in one day. We had tickets to see a Swallows baseball game (which I highly recommend!), and Toru walked us to the ballpark and gave us directions to get back to our hotel using the train. (Toru - if you are reading this, we did not get lost!). His English was easy to understand, he took great photos, and he provided just the right amount of information we needed to understand the background of the sites we saw in Tokyo.
Toru K.
Thank you Beverly for your kind comment and high rating of the Tokyo tour. I'm honoured to receive it. I'm also verry happy to have shared a pleasant time with you. You seemed to enjoy the Japanese baseball games very much. I look forward to seeing the the Japanese and American teams play in the championship game in the World Baseball Classic next year. Please give my best wishes to Mark as well.
Colleen M.
“Wonderful shore excursion to Kamakura”
Toru communicated with me ahead of time to design a great day for seeing the sights in Kamakura and learning the history. He even found a restaurant for lunch that would accommodate our picky eaters.
Toru K.
Thank you Colleen for your prompt positive review on the Kamakura tour. I'm honoured to receive it. I'm also verry happy to hear that you enjoyed the restaurant I chose for lunch. It's always a challenge for me. I look forward to seeing you again in Tokyo in another season. Please give my best wishes to your lovely family.
Michael G.
“Great guide!”
We could not have done better than Toru. After a short time, we felt like we were enjoying the day with a friend. He really knows Kamakura, (and Tokyo), and goes above and beyond to give you information for your stay in Japan. Friendly, knowledgeable and informative. I highly recommend!
Toru K.
Thank you Michael for your kind comment and high rating on the Kamakura tour. I'm very honoured to receive it. I'm also verry happy to share a pleasant time with you. Yesterday was a beautiful day and I was very excited to see such a clear view of Mt. Fuji in this season. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your trip in Japan to the fullest. Please give my best wishes to Maria.
$229/ per group