What kind of place is Kamakura?

.         Kamakura City is a quiet historic city with many religious structures and not far from Tokyo, so there are many visitors at any time of the year. It was where the capital of the first shogunate, the government ruled by samurai warriors, was established in 1192. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the forth side faces the Pacific Ocean, so it was easy to protect from enemy attacks.

One of the must-visit spot is the huge bronze statue of the Great Buddha sitting in the open air. 

Must-see Spots

Dankazura is a raised lane to the shrine with cherry trees lined. Surrounded by mountains, rainfalls used to bring about mudslides here.

Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-gu Shrine is the guardian shrine of the Kamakura Shogunate, which is bustling with visitors during New Year holidays and cherry-blossom season.

Komachidori is the other street to the shrine. Relatively high-class souvenir shops and restaurants line up on both sides of the street


Hokokuji Temple is one of the Zen temples but is famous as Bamboo Temple.  If you stand alone in this bamboo grove, you must feel refreshed and get energy.

Some famous poetess said the Great Buddh of Kamakura is handsome. But even a young girl can wrap him around her little finger. 

Hasedera Temple with eleven-headed Kannnon was allegedly constructed in 736. It is called the Western Paradise of the Pure Land  with a lot of flowers throughout the year.


Example of itinerary from Tokyo

 

Time

Dep./Arr.

Place

Comments

9:16

Departure

from Tokyo Station

JR Tokaido Line

10:08

Arrival

at Kamakura Station

 

10:10

Departure

from Kamakura Station

walk through Dankazura lane

10:35

Arrival

at Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-gu Shrine

guardian shrine of Genji clan

11:30

Departure

from Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-gu

walk through Komachidori street

11:40

Arrival

at a restaurant

lunch

12:50

Departure

from a restaurant

by bus

13:05

Arrival

at Hokokuji Temple

or bamboo temple

13:40

Departure

from Hokokuji

by bus

13:55

Arrival

at Kamakura sta.

 

14:00

Departure

from Kamakura sta.

 

14:15

Arrival

at Kotokuin

Open-air great Buddha

15:00

Departure

from Kotokuin

walk

15:10

Arrival

at Hasedera

with a lot of flowers

15:40

Departure

from hasedera

walk

15:50

Arrival

at Hase sta.

by Enoden Train

15:53

Departure

from Hase sta.

 

16:08

Departure

from Kamakura sta. to Tokyo sta.

JR

16:59

Arrival

Tokyo sta.

 

 

Location Map

① Kamakura Station          ② Dankazura Lane          ③ Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine

④ Komachi Dori Street          ⑤ Hokokuji Temple          ⑥ Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha)

⑦ Hase-dera Temple