Location: Kamakura
Top Things to do in Kamakura
What to do and see in Kamakura, Kanto: The Best Historic Sites
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. 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。
2. 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.
3. Komyo-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By H96TNjohnl
Komyojji is of the most impressive temples in Kamakura, with two Japanese gardens - a pond garden and a dry zen garden on the other side of the main temple building. What's more there is no entry fee as it is still a real temple and monstery and they want to keep it as a temple and not a "tourist attraction". Better yet, they are very involved in community acitivites, and host a monthly recycle flea market. Komyoji's gardens have been listed in book "HIdden Gardens of Japan" available from Amazon Japan and Kinokuniya USA online. Bus #40 goes right to Komyoji from Kamakura Station. Afterwards, hop over to Zaimokuza Beach about 80 meters from the temple, one of the very best beaches in Kamakura.
4. Inamuragasaki
5. 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?
6. Shakadoguchi Kiridoshi
7. Wakamiya Main Street
8. Kehaizaka Kiridoshi
9. Wakaejima Artificial Harbor
10. Ruins of Yofukuji Temple
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