日本NipponPlan

Kamakura

Day trip from Tokyo
Stays
  1. The Great Buddha of Kōtoku-in (Kamakura Daibutsu)
  2. The Great Buddha of Kamakura Illumination
  3. Hase-dera
  4. Jizō statues, Hase-dera Temple, Kamakura, Japan; 2014
  5. Hase-dera cave

An old samurai capital by the sea, with a large Buddha, hill temples and beaches.

Worth a day?

Yes. Kamakura is a relaxed day of old temples, a large bronze Buddha and a walk by the sea. It is a poor choice for people who want a big city, a long hike or many sights in one short visit.

Pick your pace

Kamakura works as a slow day or a full one. Choose the pace that fits yours and the stops that suit it come first. Nothing is removed.

楽EasyShort stops and plenty of time to sit.歩ActiveWalks, outdoor places and more ground.寺CultureTemples, museums and history, with the reason for each.食FoodStreet food, sweets and a proper meal between sights.

Pick one and the stops reorder. Nothing is hidden. Clear

Temples, museums and history, with the reason for each.

A day in 3 stops

In the order that suits your pace.

  1. 1.5 hMorningGreat Buddha of Kamakura 仏A bronze Buddha as tall as a building, in the open air. You can go inside.
  2. 1.5 hMorningHase-dera temple and sea view 花A hillside temple with a garden and a view of the bay. Flowers bloom in many seasons.
  3. 3 hAfternoonEnoshima island and the coast 島A small island with shrines, shops and sea food. A short train ride from Kamakura.

How to get there

From Tokyo

FastestJR East, JR Yokosuka Line, then Enoden → Kamakura

Time
60 min
Changes
None
Seat
No booking
  1. Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station.
  2. At Kamakura Station, take the Enoden bound for Fujisawa.
  3. Ride about 5 minutes (3 stops) to Hase Station, then walk about 5 minutes to Hasedera Temple.
A cheaper way

The Japan Rail Pass covers the JR Yokosuka Line but not the Enoden, which the Hakone Kamakura Pass does cover; starting at Shinagawa is shorter, at about 50 minutes.

Coming back. Return by the same lines in reverse; check the JR East timetable for last trains, since one source lists late departures near 11:40 p.m. without confirming them.

Typical times. Check the timetable before you go.

Stay a night

Sleep in Tokyo and come by train, because the JR Yokosuka Line is direct and the trip takes about an hour each way.

Stay in KamakuraKamakura is a small coastal city of temples and shrines. Sources say a single day can barely cover its sights, so a night lets a visitor see them at a slower pace than a day trip allows.Find stays in Kamakura
Tokyo as your baseneon and noodles The train to Kamakura takes about 60 minutes.Find stays in Tokyo

Stays link to partner sites. A commission never changes our advice.

Read more

Posts that help you plan this day.

Guides5 min readKamakura from Tokyo: temples, Great Buddha and coastA calm day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura: how to get there, which temples to pick, and what to check before you go.Guides5 min readAkihabara after dark: arcades, shops and mannersHow to spend an evening in Akihabara: game arcades, lit streets and shops that close early, plus the manners that keep the area easy for everyone.Guides5 min readAkihabara and Ikebukuro: anime, games and shopsAkihabara and Ikebukuro are Tokyo's two best places for anime, games and character goods. Here is how to plan a day in both, with food and rest breaks.