On this tour we first enjoy the beach area of Kamakura by taking a bus from Kamakura station to the extreme eastern side of Zaimokuza Beach and visit Komyoji Temple. This temple is the head temple of Jodo sect in eastern Japan. After the visit, we drop by a compound of huge tombstones belonging to the Naito family, and enjoy walking Zaimokuza Beach. Then take a bus to visit Great Buddha and Hase Temple. After coming back to Kamakura station by bus we'll enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori street.
East Exit of Kamakura station
Kamakura station
Once the samurai capital of Japan, Kamakura is surrounded by hills on three sides and by an ocean beach on one side, which was the major reason for the first shogun Yoritomo to choose Kamakura as the site of his government. On this tour we first enjoy the beach area of Kamakura by taking a bus from Kamakura station to the extreme eastern side of Zaimokuza Beach to visit Komyoji Temple. This temple is the head temple of Jodo sect in eastern Japan, with the biggest wooden gate in Kamakura and two great ponds, one is a lotus pond where lotus floweres from 2000-year-old seeds bloom in summer, and the other is a rock garden with eight rocks representing Buddhas and great Buddhist masters. After the visit, we drop by a compound of huge tombstones belonging to the Naito family, enjoy walking of Zaimokuza Beach, where we can see Wakae-jima, the remains of the oldest man-made port which was the only international port in Japan around the 13th century, then go up along the Wakamiya-oji, the grand approach to Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine. At the Geba crossing, we turn left and take a bus at Rokujizo-mae to visit Great Buddha. Hase Temple, the second oldest temple in Kamakura, is several minute-walk from Great Buddha. After coming back to Kamakura station from Hase station by the Enoden Line, we'll enjoy shopping at Komachi-dori street.
guide fee
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, entrance fee,
The entrance fee of Komyoji Temple is free of charge.
For Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha), it is 300 yen for an adult (from a junior high school student), and 150 yen for a primary school child, and for Hase Temple, 400 yen and 200 yen each.
They are from Kamakura station to Komyoji Temple (bus) 200yen, from Rokujizo-mae to Great Buddha ( bus) 200 yen, and from Hase station to Kamakura station (Enoden Line) 200 yen.
It was fun to check out Kamakura and Enoshima island in a day. Eri san was an excellent guide and came prepared with all the information and history of the sites. It makes the tour so much more memorable. Eri was especially helpful when my phone ran out of battery and helped me took more pictures. Will definitely recommend anyone who wants a guided tour to ask for Eri.
Thank you so much for such a nice review! I'm very happy that you are happy with those photos I took for you, which are full of your smile and your favorite flowers. I hope you'll go back home with only good memories of Japan. See you again in Kamakura!! Best wishes, Eri
Eri is an excellent guide, her tour is well organized. We visited many places in Kamakura and she helped us to avoid crowds.
Dear Svetlana, Thank you so much for your review! The tour day was such a cold day we all were in thick coats. But the weather changed for the better and we could enjoy ume, or Japanese apricot and a mimosa in full bloom, which was lucky. While strolling the places I myself had a great time talking with you two. Thank you so much for visiting Kamakura! Best wishes, Eri
Eri was a delight to be with in Kamakura. She was friendly and energetic. She gave a very nice tour of the city as we wandered through the city on foot. We discovered a new charming cafe. We would highly recommend her. Rajiv
Dear Rajiv, Thank you so much for your review! Yes, Kamakura is really a walkable city and it may be the best way to get around the places especially on such a beautiful day as our tour day. From our start at Kamakura station, we walked all our way without taking a bus or train during the tour. We enjoyed three places, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Zeniarai Benten or Money-washing Benten, and our last stop, Great Buddha together with some shopping on the Komachi-dori shopping streetl. The cafe you wrote about was really nice to take s rest, wasn't it? I myself could experience the joy of leisurely walking to my heart's content. It was such pleasure meeting you all in Kamakura! Best wishes, Eri
Eri was an outstanding tour guide and her English is excellent. She was able to give us an excellent travel experience in Kamakura.
Dear Howard, Thank you so much for your review! While arranging a tour for you and during the tour as well, I found your strong interest in Japanese gardens, especially in Zen Gardens very impressive. Althouth autumn leaves in Kamakura, which was your another desire to enjoy, were a little too early to be fully satisfactory, I was happy that there were some places where maple leaves were beautiful enough for your photo taking. I hope you come back again, maybe during early to middle of December next time. It was great meeting you in Kamakura!! Best regards, Eri