Kamakura, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, is a beautiful residential area dotted with zen temples. The Great Buddha is another highlight. The Pacific Ocean’s gentle breeze adds to the tranquil atmosphere.
We’ll find the most suitable mix of destinations to match your interests and physical exertion level. (See the ITINERARY)
A walking tour is good value for money (H1)! We’ll get to experience 5 temples and shrines!
For a more leisurely pace, a bus and a taxi are best.
See you in Kamakura!
JR Kita Kamakura Station.
Tokyo hotel meet-up is optional. If you want to meet-up and drop-off in Tokyo, the time you will spend in Kamakura will be about 3.5 hours. You need to extend the tour or cut one or two spots from the tour.
Both the temple bell and Shari-den Hall are national treasures. Excellent view of Mt. Fuji from the hilltop on nice winter days.
Entrance = 500 JPY / person
Largest Shinto shrine in the Kamakura area.
Kamakura-bori store (local art), lunch and shopping
Most popular sightseeing spot in this area.
Entrance = 300 JPY / person
Only time allows. In case our pace is slow, we are not able to visit.
There is a staircase with about 80 steps. Japanese garden; statue of Buddha with 11 heads; a unique cave shrine.
Entrance = 400 JPY / person
Vegetarian cafe in the temple grounds.
Visiting smaller shrines and temples which are not accessible by bus/train. 80% of the route is paved and flat. In case of rain, we will modify the route.
Small rustic temple with statues of Amida, Shaka, and Miroku Buddhas. Shaka is the main Buddha flanked by two minor Buddhas.
Entrance = 200 JPY / person
The spring water in this cave is said to energize money and multiply it.
Red torii gates line the path to this small shrine on the side of the mountain.
About 1,000 miniature ceramic foxes are on the shrine grounds. Can you find them all?
Most popular sightseeing spot in this area.
Entrance = 300 JPY / person
Only time allows. In case our pace is slow, we are not able to visit.
A lot of stairs. Japanese garden; statue of Buddha with 11 heads; a unique cave shrine.
Entrance = 400 JPY / person
Vegetarian cafe in the temple grounds.
The tour will end at JR Fujisawa Station. We can get a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean and Enoshima Island.
Train fare = 500JPY/person
Matcha green tea is served at a beautiful traditional room where we can appreciate a beautiful garden.
Entrance and Tea = 1,300JPY/ person
Savor a cup of matcha green tea while enjoying the serene sight of the bamboo forest.
Entrance: 300 JPY / person, 600 JPY matcha
Well-known for seasonal flowers and fall foliage on the temple grounds.
Entrance = 500 JPY / person
Part of Enoshima & Kamakura tour on my tour page.
NOT INCLUDED in this tour.
JR Kamakura Station or at a pre-agreed place (in Tokyo, Yokohama and Fujisawa)
Guide fee
The following are PAID IN CASH on the day/s of the tour.
= Transportation (you & guide) = approx. 2,000++JPY/person (Tokyo round trip)
= Lunch / food / drinks (you & guide)
= Entrance fee (you & guide) = Guide has a pass for most temples.
=tour extension = 5,000JPY/hour
Multiple-day bookings are encouraged. I might have greater flexibility in opening closed slots in this case. Let's talk about it. Send me a message! :‑)
MORE INFO:
= We use public transportation (train, subway, bus and/or taxi) in my tours as it's the best way to see the city.
= A custom tour = Please book at least SIX HOURS = 50,000JPY
= The meet-up time marks the official start of the tour.
= Hotel pick-ups = only in Central Tokyo, Yokohama, and a few hotels in Kawasaki.
= Four-hour tours available = Tokyo, Harajuku & Shibuya, Odaiba, Shinjuku, Ueno, Yokohama, and antique flea market. Please check out the corresponding tour pages.
(1) Since some are located a little far from the train station, we would have to walk or take a bus/taxi. (2)JR Train fare (round trip from Tokyo) = approx. 2,000JPY. (3)The area is crowded on weekends, holidays, and the peak season (for cherry blossoms & fall foliage). (4) Only walking tours and H1 hiking tour are conducted during GW period (April.28 to May 5) to avoid the heavy holiday crowd.
Toshi spent 12 hours with us and did a wonderful job orienting us to Tokyo. We changed our itinerary and she was very flexible. We really enjoyed our time with her
Thank you very much for your wonderful review, Neha. I am truly delighted to hear that you had a positive experience exploring Tokyo together. I appreciate your kind words about my flexibility in accommodating your itinerary changes. Hope to see you again.
If you're looking for a customized tour, reach out to Toshi. She was flexible, organized, and very pleasant company. I had a day to myself in Tokyo while my husband was at a conference. I booked a custom tour with Toshi, and am so glad that I did! Our trip was at the tail end of cherry blossom season, so weren't seeing very many blossoms near our hotel. Toshi took me to the Shinjuku Gyoen Garden where there were other varieties in full bloom. It was beautiful! I'm an artist and had scouted out a couple of art supply stores before our trip. Toshi advised which ones would be feasible to visit during our timeframe, and then offered suggestions of other things we could do/see in the area near the shops. We saw some 'hidden gems', including a local Shinto shrine, Godzilla, and Omoide Yokocho. Toshi was constantly sharing information about the area and its history as we explored. She made sure I was comfortable, filled the role of interpreter, and ensured I had a great day. Thank you, Toshi!
Arigato, Annie! I also had a wonderful time with you. So glad that we managed to hit the places you wanted to visit - shopping, cherry blossoms and sightseeing. Please come back here in late November to see the fall foliage. I'm sure it will give you a lot of inspiration for your paintings. Hope to see you again.
We arranged to meet Toshi at the station and were immediately put at ease after meeting Toshi. Her knowledge and English were excellent and we experienced many aspects of Yokohama. We enjoyed a Chinese lunch (inexpensive) in China Town followed by a taxi ride to Sankeien Gardens. Again Toshi had very good knowledge of the most interesting aspects of the garden . In summary, we can highly recommend Toshi to provide an excellent private tour of Yokohama.
Thank you, Peter! It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife. Yokohama is one of my favorite places as the bay area is postcard pretty. Yokohama being historically significant yet considered a trend setter makes it very interesting to many visitors. Take care and I hope to tour you to other places in the future!
We highly recommend Toshi. We asked for a customized tour for me and wife. A tour that would match our preferences and abilities. Toshi planned and executed just the right tour for us. She even adjusted it on the fly when needed. Toshi proved to be a knowledgeable guide well versed in the history of Japan in general and Tokyo in particular. She is also great fun to spend time with.
Thank you very much, Ami! I'm truly delighted to have you here in Tokyo. We were able to see a variety of places in one day. Our day began with a sense of reverence at Meiji-jingu Shrine. At Harajuku, we witnessed the vibrant fashion trends among the youth. Asakusa provided us with a unique blend of traditional charm and bustling energy. The Imperial Palace stood majestically beside the business district. Tokyo is full of surprises, isn't it? I sincerely hope you continue your Japanese adventure filled with joy and excitement. Enjoy the rest of your Japan adventure! Please take care of yourself.