Name: Kamakura Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Rating: 5.0 (190 reviews)

Japan

Kamakura

Our local guides are ready to help you plan, customize and realize your ideal tour in Kamakura. All GoWithGuide guides are real locals who know the area on a deep and personal level, and they can’t wait to share their knowledge with you.

When traveling, everyone wants to get the most bang out of their buck. How to do that? Ask the right person to be your tour guide, of course! As opposed to fixed itineraries that are too formal and geared towards large groups, arranging a trip with the help of a local guide will mean the trip will be about what YOU want to see and do.

Go ahead and send a message to one (or several!) of our local guides. They would love to show you their Kamakura!

Local Tour Guides in Kamakura

When unable to travel, bring travel to the comfort of your house! Sometimes it is difficult to physically travel to your destination, that’s where virtual guided tours become a perfect alternative.

You can find all sort of activities and tours offered by GoWithGuide’s local guides: cooking classes, history lessons, walking tours, interaction with locals, exploration of the wilderness.. and much more! So let our local Kamakura guides share their part of the world with you.

Connect with the guide virtually, and then simply to sit back, relax with your favorite beverage and enjoy the tour!

Kamakura Virtual Tours & Experiences

Whether it’s your first time to Kamakura or you are back to discover more, a good tour guide can make all the difference. Enjoy the best of what Kamakura has to offer, without all the fuss of planning everything by yourself!

You can pick your favorite itinerary from the Kamakura tours offered by our local guides, but feel free to ask for customizations based on your preferences. We want to help travelers get the most out of their trips, and we believe a good tour with a local guide is the best way to ensure that.

There is so much to see and do in Kamakura, and the best way to get the most out of your time there is to have a local expert with you. GoWithGuide is committed to delivering unforgettable tour experiences, so let us help you create your next favorite memory.

Kamakura Private Tour Guide

Travel like a real local. With our lineup of varied tours we want to help you customize and realize your ideal tour in Kamakura. Our guides can arrange for you to visit areas specific to your interests, so there will be no filler in the itinerary!

Browse all the tours we offer in Kamakura, and find the perfect one for you. The tours come in a variety of categories and lengths, so chances are you will be able to find the tour for you. Looking for something you couldn’t find in our lineup? Go ahead and send a message to one of the guides, they will create your tour for you!

Teaming up with a local guide and getting their help in planning the itinerary is the smart way to travel, so let them sort everything out for you.

Private Tours in Kamakura

Are you in need of transportation on your trip to Kamakura? On this page you can find pick-up, airport transfers and chauffeur (Private car charter with professional drivers).

We meticulously check all drivers and Car Companies you find on this page to make sure they have all the necessary documentation and qualifications to run transfer services for their area. Choose from the available listings, or message one of the suppliers directly to inquire about their services.

Having reliable and good quality transportation is an important but often overlooked part of planning a trip. Let our Kamakura car & van service providers take care of transportation for you, so you can enjoy your sightseeing!

Kamakura Private Cars, Van & Transfers

You could easily transfer to each scenic spot hopping on and off the train station. On the way to Enoshima Island, you could see the beautiful view of Mt.Fuji on sunny day and get in touch with the old fashioned shopping street to Main shrine. On the top of the island via the payable escalator recommended, the ocean view of Sagami Bay is overwhelming. On the way back, there is no escalator available to get back to the entrance. So, everybody shall walk the many steps down and see the wide view of Kamakura area..  At lunch, you have the local cuisine made from local fish and vegetables of Kamakura origin as well as Kamakura beer if you like.  Great Buddha, Amida Buddha sits in the open air and the height is approx. 13.35 meters and is the renowned bronze statue. 

This Is Your Half-Day Tour In Kamakura

I'm sure a serene atmosphere of Kamakura will greatly impress you. 
At first, the open-air Great Buddha, must-see of Kamakura, will be your unforgettable scene. Then, at our second spot, a bamboo grove will introduce you to "Zen" world. If you'd like, you can have a cup of powdered green tea (Matcha) with a small japanese sweet in a teahouse looking at bamboo trees (←I recommend this ! ). And, at the third spot, Shogun's shrine (Shogun is samourai leader), I'll tell you a story of two ponds of the precinct. One is so-called "lucky" pond and another is "unlucky" one. Why ? and how ? This shrine still reflects wishes of The First Shogun more than 800 yeas ago ! And.....I'm looking forward to seeing you and telling the story of the two ponds !! 


The essence of Kamakura - A half-day trip to another world

Hiking and Bamboo Forests in Kamakura!! 4-Hour Tour With a Historian

Kamakura Private E-bike Cycling Tour, Highlights of Samurai Town

Here is a sample itinerary.

10:00 am meet at JR Kamakura station
10:30 am Great Buddha, 
11:00 am Hasedera temple 
12:15 pm Tsurugaoka hachimangu shrine 
 1:20 pm Engakuji temple 
 2:00 pm End of the tour

We can change the destinations according to your interest. 

Half Day private Kamakura tour at your pleasure

You can enjoy great combination of historical structures with Japanese garden. It is only 1 hour from Tokyo but its atmosphere is same as kyoto and Nara.

Perfect Sankei-en Garden

You can learn what Kamakura Shogunate was like by visiting three main sites:  Koutoku-in  (The Breat Buddha), Hase Temple, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.  Through this trip, you will learn what Samurai means to Japan and what newly born Buddhism sects during the Kamakura period influenced common people.  You will also see the nature in Kamakura where many kinds of trees and plants are flourished.  

Highlight of each site is as follows:  

1.  The Great Budda, "Daibutsu" of Kamakura is a bronze image of Amida.  It is registered as a national treasure.  The idea of constructing the great  image was first conceived by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first Shogun of the Kamakura government.  
2.  An eleven-headed Kannon statue housed in Hase Temple.  It is so big as it seems uneasy to sit in the temple house.  It was curved with camphor tree in Nara and drifted to Kamakura shore in 736.  It is said that the Kannon might save people from agony and suffering of this world.  
3.  The structure and location of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: The bright orange building built on the top of the steep slope and faces to the direction of the sea below.

   

Samurai was here in Kamakura.

①Sutra copying gives you peace of mind. When you grind the ink stick and trace the sacred scriptures in the quiet temple hall, you can relieve the stresses of modern life. ②Enter the neighboring cave and walk around, meeting the statues of gods within. In the darkness, pray to the gods to have your desires accomplished: Benzaiten, the goddess of eloquence, music, and art, of this temple, is said to have been carved by Kobodaishi, the 9th century great Buddhist saint, poet, artist and calligrapher, wishing for people’s success in life, and the power of this goddess is said to be miraculously wonderful. Beside her stand other statues, such as the god of enlightenment and salvation, the god of peace under law, the god of academic achievements, and so on. ③At the top of a small hill, Hase Kannon, the goddess of mercy, soar and gleam in gold. ④Seven minutes’ walk from Hase Temple will take you to the massive Great Buddha. This 13.4 meter-high statue is the image of Amida Nyorai, Buddha of infinite light and life, meditating on how to save people. 

Soul-Exploring Trip of Hase Temple, the Great Buddha and Sutra Copying in Kamakura

Je suis sûre que l'atmosphère sereine de Kamakura, l'ancienne capitale, est impressionnante. 
D'abord, le Grand Bouddha en plein air, à ne pas manquer à Kamakura, deviendra votre scène inoubliable. Ensuite, à notre deuxième endroit, le bois de bambou vous entraînera au monde du "Zen". Si vous voulez, vous pouvez prendre une tasse de thé vert en poudre (Matcha) avec de petits gateaux japonais au refuge regardant des arbres de bambou (ce n'est pas la cérémonie du thé, simplement on boit du Matcha, mais je le recommande, un moment agréable ! ). Et enfin, nous irons au troisième endroit, le sanctuaire du Premier Shogun ("Shogun" est samourai leader). Kamakura, comme capitale des samourai,  a commencé de là. Le Shogun a eu son rival. L'histoire de leur guerre s'est encore réfléchi dans l'enceinte du sanctuaire. Je vous parlerai de l'histoire des deux étangs du sanctuaire. L'un est ce qu'on appelle "Bonheur", et l'autre est "Malheur". Pourquoi ?  Le Shogun a exprimé son souhait sur les deux étangs il y a 800 ans et aujourd'hui, on peut le voir ! Et puis.....je voudrais vous voir aussitôt que possible et continuer l'histoire de ces deux étangs !!

Kamakura-une demi journée dans le monde enchanté !

Kamakura was once the capital of Japan where the first "samurai" government was established in the end of the twelfth century. Today the city draws as many as twenty million visitors a year as one of the must visit places in Japan. On this tour we'll visit three most popular spots, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine which was constructed by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, Great Buddha which has been sitting under the sun over the centuries and nicknamed " an open-air Buddha", and Hase Temple, the second oldest  temple in Kamakura enshrining the tall wooden statue of eleven-headed Hase Kannon in sparkling gold . After that we'll take the Enoden Line to Inamuragasaki station, which is two stops away from Hase station, to enjoy the great views of Sagami Bay, where you can see Enoshima Island, and if you are lucky, together with Mt.Fuji. 

Kamakura's three major spots and the great ocean views from Inamuragasaki

Let me customize your half-day tour based on your requests or preference adding my recommendation out of my experience regarding the season, weather, and so on. In terms of time, a half- day trip will allow you to pick up one area out of the five ( The areas Ⅰto Ⅴ, written below) in addition to the central area which is the must -stop in Kamakura.

Area Ⅰ: West Side of Kamakura Station  
Area Ⅱ: Hase Area  
Area Ⅲ: Kita-Kamakura Area (North Kamakura)
Area Ⅳ: Kanazawa Street Area  
Area Ⅴ: Zaimokuza Beach Area
 
Central Area: Including Hachiman-gu Shrine, Komachi-dori Shopping Street,  JR Kamakura Station. 

Your destinations are supposed to be one area of your choice from the five, plus, central area. 
If you ask me, I'd be delighted to show my special lists.

★Plan 1: Shrines Where I Feel Mystical Energy Flow that Gives Me Good Luck and Power
1. Hachiman-gu Shrine (in the Central Area )
2. Zeniarai Benten ( in Area Ⅰ)
3. Sasuke-inari Shrine ( in Area Ⅰ)
< A 20-minute walk from Kamakura St. to this area. Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.>

★Plan 2:  Overwhelmingly Big Buddhist Statues that I Love in  Kamakura
1.  Great Amida Buddha in Kotoku-in Temple ( in Area Ⅱ)
2.  Kannon Bodhisattva (Goddess of Marcy)  in Hase-dera Temple ( in Area Ⅱ)
< A 10-minute ride on a tram train from Kamakura St. to this area.>

★Plan 3:  Soothing Buddhist Statues That Give Me Peace of Mind While Facing
1.  Sakyamuni Wearing a Crown in Engaku-ji Temple ( in Area Ⅲ)
2.  Standing Sho Kannon Bodhisattva in Tokei-ji Temple  ( in Area Ⅲ)
< Getting off the train from Tokyo at Kita-Kamakura St will do.>

★Plan 4: Temples Surrounded by Quiet Gardens or Woods that Refresh Me
1. Jomyo-ji Temple ( in Area Ⅳ)---If you want to have a tea time, they serve a bowl of green tea with a dry sweet in the Japanese tea ceremony style. 
2. Hokoku-ji Temple ( in Area Ⅳ)
3  Sugimoto-dera Temple ( in Area Ⅳ)
< A 10-minute ride on a bus from Kamakura St. to this area.>

★Plan 5: Temples with open space in the Huge Precincts that Make Me Forget the Busy Everyday Life
1. Komyo-ji Temple (in Area Ⅴ）--- If you are interested, they provide a set of genuine Buddhist monk's vegetarian meal (only lunch) for around 5000 yen/person. Reservation is necessary. < 10-minute ride on a bus from Kamakura St. to this temple.>
2. Myohon-ji Temple (in Area Ⅴ） < 15-minute walk from Kamakura St. to this temple.>

There are more spots that are worth visiting other than above in each area.

****************************************************************
Kamakura is an attractive tourist destination that is located in the south of Tokyo. Only a one-hour train ride from Tokyo takes you to this beautiful ancient capital. About 800 years ago, a leader of samurai warriors started ruling the country and the center of his military government was situated in Kamakura. 

There are a lot of old temples and shrines that creates its distinctive character and historically meaningful fascination. Kamakua was also home to Zen Buddhism that was widely received as the spiritual pillar for samurai warriors 

The city is surrounded by the scenic beauty of the ocean and mountains, and you can enjoy plenty of flowers in each season. I'm looking forward to sharing them with you. 

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.







Hiro's Kamakura As-you-like Half-day Tour

Haunted Kamakura

You can walk an old road between Yokohama (Mutsura) and Kamakura. Along the road, I can explain about the history and background at every point of interest. This tour involves hiking, especially at the hillside. This road is actually the same as the one used in the 12th century and you may feel samurai warriors' spirits. Spring and Autumn may be the best times for this tour, but winter is still good because there are fewer people then. We can visit Kumano-Jinja shirine at the top of the hill which was established by Minamoto no Yoritomo. He was the first Shogun in the Kamakura feudal government.

Walking tour along an old Kamakura samurai road

===1. Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine 
    Highlights: Learn about the history and culture of the first shogun's capital / Experience Shinto rituals / See the architecture of the shrine /  
                     Draw omikuji (fortune telling sheet) with a charm (200 yen, optional)

===2. Komachidori Street
                     Take a tour of restaurants and food shops along the street to have lunch.  Especially some Kamakura's specialties such as 
                     Shirasu-don (a bowl of rice topped with young sardine and fresh seafood), Daibutsu-yaki (sponge cake shaped like Great 
                     Buddha) and so on.  Looking for souvenirs, like Kamakura-bori (Kamakura's wooden artifacts carved in relief), Hatosabure 
                    (cookies shaped like a dove, the Hachimangu's symbol), etc. 

===3. Kotokuin Temple (Admission fee=300 yen for adult, 150 yen for child)
    Highlights: See the impressive body of the large stature of Amida Buddha / Learn the characteristics of each part of the image / Experience 
                      the tour inside the body to learn more about its construction (Admission fee=50 yen: optional)

===4. Hasedera Temple (Admission fee=400 yen for adult, 200 yen for child)
    Highlights: See the elegant and shining stature of 11-headed Kannon / Stroll the precinct of the temple designed like Pure Land / 
                      Experience some Buddhist rituals for attaining enlightenment / See the view of Kamakura city and Yuigahama beach from the 
                     observatory  


Magical History Tour in First Samurai Capital

Would you like to become rich in Kamakura? Zeniarai Benten, or Money-washing Benten is a unique place in Kamakura, where you can wash your coins or bills with sacred water of a fountain in a cave. The legend says, if you spend some of the money washed there, it might be doubled! Want to give it a try? 
Along with Zeniarai Benten, we will visit Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, which is historically and geographically in the center of Kamakura and one of the most visited shrines in Japan, and Kotokuin Temple, where Great Buddha, a symbol of Kamakura with its original appearence remaining pretty much intact, is waiting for you.  And one more spot, Sasuke Inari Shrine with many red torii gates on its approach will take you deep into Kamakura.
 On our way visiting those places, we will also enjoy dropping by a variety of souvenir shops on Komachi-dori shopping street and strolling around the quiet residential areas of Kamakura.
As this tour is entirely on foot, wearing a pair of comfortable walking shoes would be recommended on your visit.
Why don't we take a walk and enjoy the serene atmosphere of an ancient capital of Kamakura together!

Walking tour to  four popular places in Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Zeniarai-Benten, Sasu

Once the samurai capital of Japan, Kamakura is surrounded by hills on three sides and by an ocean beach on one side, which was the major reason for the first shogun Yoritomo to choose Kamakura as the site of his government. On this tour we first enjoy the beach area of Kamakura by taking a bus from Kamakura station to the extreme eastern side of Zaimokuza Beach to visit Komyoji Temple. This temple is the head temple of Jodo sect in eastern Japan, with the biggest wooden gate in Kamakura and two great ponds, one is a lotus pond where lotus floweres from 2000-year-old seeds bloom in summer, and the other is a rock garden with eight rocks representing Buddhas and great Buddhist masters. After the visit, we drop by a compound of huge tombstones belonging to the Naito family, enjoy walking of Zaimokuza Beach, where we can see Wakae-jima, the remains of the oldest man-made port which was the only international port in Japan around the 13th century, then go up along the Wakamiya-oji, the grand approach to Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine. At the Geba crossing, we turn left and take a bus at Rokujizo-mae to visit Great Buddha. Hase Temple, the second oldest temple in Kamakura, is several minute-walk from Great Buddha. After coming back to Kamakura station from Hase station by the Enoden Line, we'll enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori street.

Enjoy sea breeze of Kamakura: Komyoji Temple, Zaimokuza Beach walk, with Great Buddha and Hase Templ

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