Kamakura is one of the easiest day trips from Tokyo. It has old temples, a big bronze Great Buddha and a seaside feel. You can see the main sights in one day and still be back in Tokyo for dinner.
Getting there
Trains run from central Tokyo to Kamakura station on JR lines. Pick the line that suits your start point, and check the platform and the route on the day. Lines change during works.
Once you arrive, you can ride the Enoden, a small local tram. It runs from Kamakura towards the coast. The ride is short and slow, and it is part of the fun. Many visitors ride it for one stop just to see the town from the tracks.
Check first: Train routes, fares and the last train home. Use the JR East timetable and the tram operator's site on the day. Do not rely on a blog for fares.
Pick your temples
Kamakura has many temples. You do not need to see them all. Choose three or four that you like and walk between them.
| Place | Why go | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha at Kotoku-in | A large bronze Buddha you can stand next to | You can go inside the statue |
| Hase-dera | A hillside temple with a view over the town and bay on a clear day | Many steps. Hydrangeas bloom here in June |
| Tsurugaoka Hachimangu | The main shrine, at the centre of town | Free to walk around the grounds |
| Hokokuji | A small temple with a quiet bamboo garden | Calm, good after busy places |
At Hase-dera, you can walk into a cave with many small Jizo statues. Take your time there. It is a quiet part of the visit.
Walk the shopping street
Komachi-dori runs from the front of the shrine towards the station. It has shops, snacks and small cafes. Local food includes shirasu, a small whitebait, in many forms. Use Tabelog to find a lunch place near the station or near the shrine. Read recent reviews, and check the opening days, because many small shops close on a set day each week.
Add the coast
If the weather is warm, add the beach. Yuigahama is the main beach near the centre. Swimming is allowed only in the summer season, and only in marked areas. In other months, a walk on the sand is enough.
When to go
- Spring and autumn: clear days are more common, and walking is easy.
- June: the rainy season. Hydrangeas are at their best, but bring a cover for your bag and a rain jacket.
- Summer: hot and busy at the beach. Start early.
- Winter: quiet temples and short days. Plan your last train earlier.
Check first: Opening hours, admission and special events for each temple. Use each temple's official site on the day. Check the weather with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) before you pick the beach or the walk.
Mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is trying to see every temple. Kamakura has many, and the walks between them are longer than they look on a map. Choose a few, and leave time to sit down and look.
The second mistake is planning the return too late. The trains are regular, but a day out with stops can run longer than you think. Keep a margin before your last train to Tokyo.
The third mistake is wearing the wrong shoes. Many temple paths have steps and uneven stone. Good walking shoes make the day much more pleasant.
The last mistake is ignoring the weather. Rain makes stone steps slippery. A clear day gives the best view from the hill, so pick the day with the best forecast for the hill temple.
What to do next
Kamakura works well as a half day from Tokyo, or as a full day if you add the coast. For a plan that uses Tokyo as a base, read the planner first. For more on the city, see the Tokyo page and the Asakusa area, a good place to start a Tokyo plan with old temples.
