We first take a bus to visit Bamboo Temple. After that we enjoy walking around the local residential areas while visiting two other places, Sugimoto Temple and Egara Tenjin shrine upto the fourth place, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Srine which was constructed by the first Shogun of the Kamakura Government. After lunch, we take the Enoden Line from Kamakura station to Hase and visit the last place Great Buddha. Komachi-dori shopping street and Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop are included by request.
At the East Exit of Kamakura station
Bamboo Temple (Hokokuji Temple with a teahouse in the bamboo glove)
Sugimoto Temple (oldest Buddhist temple in Kamakura famous for its moss-covered steps)
Egara Tenjin (enshrining the god of learning and scholarship)
Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine (constructed by Shogun Yoritomo in 1180)
Komachi-dori shopping street
Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop (Closed on Tuesday)
Great Buddha
At Kamakura station
Once the samurai capital of Japan, Kamakura is visited by as many as 20 million people a year. Some of the most popular spots among visitors are Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Great Buddha, and Hokokuji Temple nicknamed Bamboo Temple. On this tour, along with the three places, I would like to offer two more attractive spots to visit.
We first visit three places in the north-eastern area of Kamakura, Bamboo Temple, popular for its bamboo glove with a teahouse serving powdered green tea, Sugimoto Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Kamakura dating back to the 8th century, Egara Tenjin, a shinto shrine enshrining deified Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning and scholarship.
We take a bus to visit Bamboo Temple, but after that we enjoy strolling around the local residential areas while visiting two other places and the fourth destination, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Srine which was constructed by the first Shogun of the Kamakura Government. After coming back to Kamakura station, we take the Enoden Line to Hase station to visit the last destination, Great Buddha, an open-air Buddha sitting under the sun for some 750 years.
This tour covers history of Kamakura from much before the establishment of the samurai government to just after the end of it, and of course, shopping in Komachi-dori street and at Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop by request.
guide fee
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, your entrance fee
You need to pay entrance fees at three spots.
Bamboo Temple : 300yen (150yen), Sugimoto Temple : 200yen (100yen), Great Buddha : 300yen (150yen)
They are, bus from Kamakura station to Jomyoji (to visit Bamboo Temple) : 200yen (100 yen), the Enoden Line from Kamakura to Hase : 200yen (100yen), bus from Great Buddha to Kamakura : 200yen (100yen)
It was fun to check out Kamakura and Enoshima island in a day. Eri san was an excellent guide and came prepared with all the information and history of the sites. It makes the tour so much more memorable. Eri was especially helpful when my phone ran out of battery and helped me took more pictures. Will definitely recommend anyone who wants a guided tour to ask for Eri.
Thank you so much for such a nice review! I'm very happy that you are happy with those photos I took for you, which are full of your smile and your favorite flowers. I hope you'll go back home with only good memories of Japan. See you again in Kamakura!! Best wishes, Eri
Eri is an excellent guide, her tour is well organized. We visited many places in Kamakura and she helped us to avoid crowds.
Dear Svetlana, Thank you so much for your review! The tour day was such a cold day we all were in thick coats. But the weather changed for the better and we could enjoy ume, or Japanese apricot and a mimosa in full bloom, which was lucky. While strolling the places I myself had a great time talking with you two. Thank you so much for visiting Kamakura! Best wishes, Eri
Eri was a delight to be with in Kamakura. She was friendly and energetic. She gave a very nice tour of the city as we wandered through the city on foot. We discovered a new charming cafe. We would highly recommend her. Rajiv
Dear Rajiv, Thank you so much for your review! Yes, Kamakura is really a walkable city and it may be the best way to get around the places especially on such a beautiful day as our tour day. From our start at Kamakura station, we walked all our way without taking a bus or train during the tour. We enjoyed three places, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Zeniarai Benten or Money-washing Benten, and our last stop, Great Buddha together with some shopping on the Komachi-dori shopping streetl. The cafe you wrote about was really nice to take s rest, wasn't it? I myself could experience the joy of leisurely walking to my heart's content. It was such pleasure meeting you all in Kamakura! Best wishes, Eri
Eri was an outstanding tour guide and her English is excellent. She was able to give us an excellent travel experience in Kamakura.
Dear Howard, Thank you so much for your review! While arranging a tour for you and during the tour as well, I found your strong interest in Japanese gardens, especially in Zen Gardens very impressive. Althouth autumn leaves in Kamakura, which was your another desire to enjoy, were a little too early to be fully satisfactory, I was happy that there were some places where maple leaves were beautiful enough for your photo taking. I hope you come back again, maybe during early to middle of December next time. It was great meeting you in Kamakura!! Best regards, Eri