KAMAKURA ITINERARY
Visiting Kamakura is a full day trip out of Tokyo that’s worth every second of it. It’s often dubbed as the Kyoto of eastern Japan because of its history, cultures and concentration of historical sites, temples and shrines. If you’re looking for a guide to Kamakura, we have a full day itinerary ready for you. This is not the perfect itinerary and you can easily switch out certain spots for places that you wish to visit on your own. The places we list in our recommended route are also separate blog posts with more detailed info under the same Kamakura Section. There are many other places not listed in our itinerary that we believe are great places to visit as well!
Before going to Kamakura
Kamakura is an hour away from Tokyo by train. To spend a full day at Kamakura comfortably, we recommend arriving early in the morning around 8 or 9am. Around the area, transportation is limited compared to Tokyo. After arriving your main modes of transportation will be by walking, bus or the Enoden train. There will be a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes!
Getting to Kamakura
To get to Kamakura Station there is a direct one way ticket from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station (roughly 1 hr) on the JR Yokosuka Line for 920 Yen. If you are on the west side of Tokyo, you can go from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line for 920 Yen as well (1 hr as well). Just make sure to catch the direct train to Kamakura or you will have to transfer once at Ofuna Station (additional 10 minutes).
The trip
After arriving at Kamakura Station, you can grab some breakfast on Komachi Dori Street. There are some cafes and bakeries open in the morning for breakfast. Make sure to eat and drink to get energized for the long day ahead!
After getting some food, head on over to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine or the Hokokuji Temple. This part of the itinerary you can choose the order of which to visit first. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the most important shrine in Kamakura and is directly connected to Komachi Dori. It takes about 10-15 minutes from Kamakura Station by walking through Komachi Dori. Or from Kamakura Station, after eating on Komachi dori, you can take a bus bound for Jomyoji, where it will take you directly to Hokokuji Temple - the temple famous for its beautiful bamboo forest.
After visiting the beautiful temples and shrines, head back to Komachi Dori for lunch. You will notice there will be a lot of places that sell shirasu dishes. Shirasu is a small white juvenile fish that is eaten boiled, dried or raw. Shirasu-donburi is a famous dish from Kamakura that is worth trying! It’s shirasu over white rice.
After re-energizing for lunch, head back to Kamakura Station. You can now head over to the Hase area for the second half of your day. At Kamakura Station get on the Enoden Train. The Enoden train is a famous train that runs a long the coastline. Get off at Hase Station.
Around the Hase area you can visit Hasedera Temple and Kamakuras main attraction - Kotoku-in and the Great Buddha. At Kotoku-in you will find a giant Great Buddha Statue that has been there since the 13th century.
From here you have two options. If you’re tired, head back to Kamakura Station and explore the areas shops and souvenir stores. You can also go to the beaches nearby as the beaches in Kamakura are quite popular - particularly Yuigahama beach.
Or if you have some extra time and energy left, we recommend visiting Enoshima Island. Enoshima Island can be accessed on the Enoden train as well. It’s the opposite way from Kamakura, towards Fujisawa. Get off at Enoshima Station and from the station you can walk 20 minutes to the island (it’s connected by a bridge) or catch a bus. Enoshima is a beautiful island with a shrine over looking the island, a park, an observation tower and beautiful caves to explore. You can relax by the rocky shores of the island and on a nice day even see Mt. Fuji. It’s definitely worth checking out if you have time and energy left!
Getting Back to Tokyo
If you went to Enoshima Island, get back on the Enoden train and head for Fujisawa station. From Fujisawa Station, you can take the train back to Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Line (45 minutes). If you didnt go to Enoshima Island and stopped at Hase Station, then head back to Kamakura station on the Enoden train and go back exactly the way you came from.
Places not mentioned but recommended
Hiking trails around the area
Engakuji Temple
Kenchoji Temple and their beautiful garden
Inamuragasaki Beaches
Zeniarai Benten Shrine to wash your money
Photo Credit: Japan Guide