Location: Kamakura
Top Things to do in Kamakura
10 Things to do in Kamakura That You Shouldn't Miss
A village dating back to Yoritomo's shogunate government in 1192, Kamakura lies amid wooded hills filled with Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Local university students offer free guided tours leaving from Kamakura station. Visit the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of war, patron deity of the shogun's family, and walk inside the Great Buddha.
Restaurants in Kamakura
1. Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,033 reviews
This nearly 47-foot bronze statue of Amida Buddha is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan.
Reviewed By jeanettekz - Munich, Germany
After reading about some guided tours from northern Kamakura down through the hiking trails to the Buddha, we decided to just try and do it on our own. We were very happy we did because the peace and quiet of doing it as a couple was wonderful. Finishing our hike with the Buddha felt slightly triumphant. We didn't go inside of the Buddha, but it felt like a nice way to finish the day. We went in July and probably got there about mid-day but it wasn't ridiculously crowded, although busy. Very beautiful and impressive up-close. Kamakura was a very fun day trip for us outside of visiting Tokyo--I highly recommend it.
2. Hase-dera Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,716 reviews
This temple is most notable for its wooden statue of Kannon, the 11-headed goddess of mercy, but it also has a lovely garden and pond, and a viewing platform with a great city view.
Reviewed By Suzu1996
Japanese follows English. Located just a short distance from Hase Station, this is a famous temple with a very beautiful garden and an observation deck spot with a view of Kamakura. It was a very hot day in August, but the precinct was very cool and didn't make us feel the heat of summer. This temple has a lot of Jizo, and a thousand Jizo statues are a sight to behold. Signs have been installed to counter COVID-19, and 'Nagomi Jizo' is also wearing a mask. As the name suggests, this is a very soothing point. I recommend this temple to visit during this season when you want to feel the coolness. 以下、日本語です。 長谷駅からすぐのところにあり、非常に綺麗な庭園と鎌倉を一望できる展望台スポットなどがある有名なお寺です。 ８月で気温も非常に高い日でしたが、夏の暑さを感じさせない非常に涼しさを感じるお寺でした。 このお寺には非常に多くのお地蔵様がおり、千体地蔵は圧巻です。 COVID-19対策として看板を設置しているほか、和み地蔵もマスクをしています。名前の通り非常に和ませてくれるポイントになっていました。 涼しさを感じたいこの時期に安心して参拝できるおすすめのお寺です。
3. Kencho-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 531 reviews
Founded in 1253 by a Chinese priest, this temple, notable for its bell (a national treasure) and Zen garden, was the first Zen temple in the city and is ranked number one of the city's five most powerful temples.
Reviewed By yshargal - Haifa, Israel
One of the main temples of Kamakura. Set in beautiful gardens with the backdrop of the mountains. Recommend. I visited it together with the nearby Tsuruagoka Hachiman-gu. The Kencho-Ji is the farthest from the Kamakura train station. I took bus no2 to the Kencho-Ji. Then I walked a few minutes to the Hachiman-gu. From there I walked about 10 minutes to the train station.
4. Engaku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 491 reviews
A large temple bell, a teahouse and a shrine that preserves a tooth of Buddha are highlights of this Zen temple, which has been designated a national treasure and is ranked number two of the city's five most powerful temples.
Reviewed By AndrewK831 - Zushi, Japan
My wife and I live locally so we can visit this temple in all seasons. It always has a tranquil beauty to it that puts your soul to rest. Extensive grounds include many religious buildings, a lovely tea house and at the top of the nearby small mountain extensive views over Kanagawa with a view of Mt Fuji on a clear day.
5. Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 701 reviews
Reviewed By scotthumphries - Canberra, Australia
Although it can be somewhat busy with many visitors, this centrally located temple is worth a visit. The lovely bamboo forest and the beautiful gardens are highlights, as is the peaceful tea house.
6. Sasuke Inari Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By DoctorDerm1 - Winter Springs, United States
Only a handful of people were here so I was able to get awesome photos of the numerous tori gates without people in the photos. As you climb the hill, you leave the tori gates and walk through a quiet forest of thousands of arranged porcelain foxes of varying sizes. June/July is the rainy season so this upper part of the trail is muddy and slippery, so be careful.
7. Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By 840gabrielh - Bellaire, United States
Located close to city center, this somewhat hidden park represents an oasis of tranquility and serenity. As you enter the gate, you cross a little bridge and scend towards the garden, a few dozen feet above street level. By the time you reach the first few hydrangea bushes, you are surrounded by trees, bushes and the garden. The path meanders between the hydrangeas and other, beautiful flowers and eventually opens up to a clearing, where this well preserved Zen Buddhist temple stands, surrounded by the usual gift and souvenir shops and the sshops that sell prayers you eventually place in the appropriate places around the temple. There are a few benches, where you can rest and watch humanity pass by. One of the nicer stops in our visit.
8. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,598 reviews
This important shrine, dating back to 1063, is a popular site for weddings and other events during the year, and is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom or azalea season.
Reviewed By suger_yu
Located a 10-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station, this shrine has a long history. At the entrance of the shrine, there is a very large tori-i gate, which is sure to overwhelm anyone who sees it. Passing through the tori-i gate, you will see the main shrine at the top of a staircase called the "Daisekidan". Emperor Ojin, Hime no kami, Empress Jingu are enshrined in the main shrine. The origin of this shrine dates back to 1063, when Minamoto Yoriyoshi enshrined Iwashimizu-Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto at Yuigo-Tsuruoka in Kamakura. Later, in 1180, Yoritomo Minamoto moved the shrine to its present location. It is said that the town of Kamakura was built around this shrine. It is also said that the spirituality of the Japanese people, represented by "Bushido," was formed against the background of faith in this shrine. In addition, as a countermeasure against COVID-19, you can use a device made of bamboo instead of a ladle to "Chozu". "Chozu" means to cleanse one's hands with water. Other measures are also taken to prevent infectious diseases, such as signs warning people to wear masks in various places. When you visit Kamakura, how about visiting Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine to get a feel for the history of Japan and the origins of Japanese spirituality?
9. Enoshima Electric Railway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,159 reviews
Reviewed By Shaun1965 - Oxenford, Australia
After getting the train down from Tokyo, you pass through the turnstiles and use the pasimo card to get around. This train takes you along the bay to easy access for the giant Buddha.
10. Kamakura Komachidori
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 981 reviews
Reviewed By Steveca32 - Kettering, United Kingdom
Had a lovely day visiting Kamakura and Enoshima Allow a day for each ???????? Both accessible by the electric railway including the big Buddha and lovely walks around Enoshima
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