Kamakura is a coastal town near Tokyo, popular for its temples and shrines, iconic giant
Buddha statue, numerous trendy boutiques and restaurants, as well as its sandy beaches
which attract large crowds during the summer months.
If you can’t make it to Kyoto during your trip, Kamakura is a decent alternative.
Known as the “Kyoto of the East” for its historic sites and well-preserved atmosphere,
it’s located only an hour south of Tokyo making it an excellent day trip destination.
Kamakura has played an important role in the development of Japan, being the namesake of
a major era of Japanese history.
The city was chosen by Minamoto Yoritomo, one of the most important figures
in Japanese history, as the seat of his new military government.
Yoritomo defeated his arch rivals in 1185 and was appointed shogun in 1192.
This made Kamakura the political center of the entire country and the Kamakura government
continued to rule Japan for over a century until 1333.
During this time the culture and grand temples found in Kyoto also came to Kamakura as well,
many of which can still be seen around town today.
There is much to see and do in this area, so with this in mind,
here are our Top 5 Recommendations for Kamakura.
Number 5: Hokokuji Temple
On the eastern hills of Kamakura is the small but beautiful Hokokuji Temple, which is mostly
known for its lush and attractive small bamboo grove.
The main temple hall in the middle of the grounds which was rebuilt in the 1920s after
the Great Kanto Earthquake, houses a statue of Buddha, the temple’s main object of worship.
Behind the temple are a series of unique shallow caves carved into the hillsides, which are
believed to hold the ashes of several of the lords who were patrons of the temple in the past.
The narrow pathways through the 2000 plus dark green bamboo stalks leads to a quaint
tea house where visitors can enjoy a nice cup of traditional green tea while relaxing
and taking in the views of the bamboo grove.
Number 4: Hiking Trails
Surrounded by the ocean and wooded hills, Kamakura offers attractive hiking trails that
connect various temples in the area.
These trails usually take around 30 to 90 minutes to complete and allow visitors to
enjoy both natural and cultural sights while walking between different parts of the town.
This network of hiking trails can be found in three differents areas: The Western Hills,
the Northern Hills and the Eastern hills.
The trails along the Western Hills connect Jochiji Temple in Kita-Kamakura with the
Great Buddha in the West of Kamakura.
Visitors will come across the Zeniarai Benten, where a legal form of money laundering is
steeped in tradition.
It is believed that washing your coins and bills in the shrine’s spring will allow
for it to multiply.
Along the way there is the Genjiyama Public Park with a statue of Minamoto Yoritomo,
the founder of the Kamakura government in the late 12th century.
In the Northern Hills the trails connect Kenchoji Temple, ranked the number one Zen temple in
Kamakura, with the picturesque Zuisenji Temple in the far east of the town.
Along the trail, there are several caves which were used as tombs, called yagura.
This trail can alternatively be accessed through the Shishimai Valley, a popular autumn color
spot in early December.
Lastly,the trails in the Eastern hills connect Yagumo Shrine with the Harakiri
Yagura where the last ruler of the Kamakura Government is said to have
committed ritual suicide.
This trail offers nice views of the city along the way and is the shortest of the three main trails.
Number 3: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most important shrine in Kamakura and is dedicated to Hachiman,
the Shinto god of war and patron of both the Minamoto family and samurai in general.
It was originally founded in 1063 and then enlarged and moved to its current site in 1180.
The shrine can be accessed via a long road that starts at Kamakura’s waterfront and
bisects the entire city center all the way to the shrine, with multiple torii gates along the way.
Alternatively, a busy shopping street leads from Kamakura Station towards the shrine,
where you can buy local souvenirs, as well as enjoy some delicious street foods and sweets.
At the base of the shrine’s staircase stands the Maiden, which is a stage where dance and
music performances are occasionally held.
On the sides of the main approach to the shrine, there are two ponds.
One represents the Minamoto Clan and has three islands, while the other represents the Taira
Clan, the Minamoto’s rivals, and has four islands, because the number four in Japanese
is pronounced the same way as the word “death”.
Various events are held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu during the year.
Two of the most popular being the horseback archery Yabusame exhibition in September and
also at New Year’s when large numbers of people visit the shrine.
Number 2: Hasedera
Built on the slopes of a wooded hill, the impressive Hasedera temple houses one of Japan’s
largest wooden statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of compassion and one of the most
popular deities in Japan.
The 9.18 meter statue is said to have been carved from the same gigantic tree as the
similarly tall Kannon statue worshipped at the Hasedera Temple in Nara Prefecture.
The Hasedera temple grounds boast picturesque gardens, as well as caves that feature multiple
sculptures of Benten, the goddess of feminine beauty and wealth.
Along the stairs leading up the slope stands the Jizo-do Hall which houses hundreds of
small statues of the Jizo Bodhisattva who is believed to help the souls of deceased
children to reach paradise.
Close to the main hall visitors can also admire a beautiful view of both the city of Kamakura
and the ocean.
Hasedera can easily be reached in a five minute walk from Hase Station along the Enoden Railway,
whose streetcar-like trains connect Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa.
Number 1: The Great Buddha statue.
Located a 5 minute walk from Hasedera Temple, the Great Buddha is Kamakura’s most iconic attraction.
The 11.4 meter tall statue stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple, is ranked among the top
3 Great Buddhas in all Japan alongside the great Buddhas of Nara and Takaoka, and is
widely considered to be the most handsome amongst them.
Cast in 1252, this bronze statue was originally located inside a large temple hall which was
later destroyed several times by typhoons and a tsunami.
Since the late 15th century, the Buddha statue has remained sitting in the open-air.
For a small additional fee visitors can enter the interior of the Buddha statue which allows
for an interesting perspective on the thickness of the bronze cast, as well as the statue’s height.
If you decide to visit Kamakura’s Great Buddha, also make sure to keep an eye out
for his sandals which are displayed on the temple grounds in a unique way.
We hope that this top 5 list inspire some
ideas and gives you a good place to start when planning a trip to Kamakura for yourself.
For more information about any of the places mentioned in this video, or to explore another
region, click the links on the screen now, or head over to Japan-Guide.com, your comprehensive
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