Kamakura is a popular tourist destination about an hour train ride away from Tokyo, having various historical sites such as temples and shrines. It also has natural beauty, surrounded by mountains and sea, and also many attractive small shops and restaurants.
We walk around the city, dropping in at popular spots, hidden sites, and neat shops on the main and back streets - like locals do.
At JR Kamakura Station, or JR Kita-Kamakura Station
Visit Engakuji Temple, a huge Zen temple with spacious grounds.
Arrive at Hase area and visit Kotokuin Temple where we can meet Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha statue.
Visit Hasedera Temple, situating a huge statue of Kannon, numerous statues of Jizo, and a beautiful Japanese-style garden.
You can enjoy viewing the spectacular scenery from a rise in the grounds.
Visit Hokokuji Temple and stroll in the bamboo garden.
While viewing the garden, having matcha, or green tea in a café might be a good break.
Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
We will walk around Wakamiya-oji and Komachi-dori Streets lined with various shops.
At JR Kamakura Station
This tour can be customized according to your request.
Kamakura is roughly categorized into 6 areas. I recommend choosing 2 to 4 areas for one day tour.
Based on you interest, I can include activities such as hiking, making traditional crafts, Buddhist training like Zen meditation and sutra-copying sessions, on an itinerary. Please let me know your requests in advance. I’ll take it consideration into making an itinerary.
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.
Areas:
1. Kita-Kamakura, Northern Kamakura Area – Magnificent temples dotting in the mountains
Engakuji Temple, Kenchoji Temple, Meigetsuin Temple, Tokeiji Temple, Jochiji Temple, etc.
2. Central Kamakura Area – The most bustling area of Kamakura
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Komachi-dori Street, Wakamiya-oji Street, Kamakura central food market, Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine, Sasuke Inari Shrine, etc.
3. Eastern Kamakura Area – A Quiet area of Kamakura
Egara Tenjinsha Shrine, Hokokuji Temple(Bamboo temple), Jomyoji Temple, Zuisenji Temple, etc.
4. Southeastern Kamakura Area – Bright and rustic area of Kamakura
Myohonji temple, Komyoji temple, Yakumo shrine, Zaimokuza Beach, etc.
5. Southwestern Kamakura Area – Featuring huge statues of Buddhas and a variety of shops lining the streets
Kotokuin Temple: Daibutsu(Great Buddha), Hasedera temple, Yuigahama-odori Street, Yuigahama Beach, etc.
6. Enoshima Area – A scenic island, located west of Kamakura
Enoshima Jinja Shrine, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden & Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower, Enoshima Iwaya Cave, etc.
Activities:
1. Hiking – walking in mountain trails for about 60 minutes, appreciating wonderful nature
2. Making traditional crafts – experiencing Kamakurabori carving, traditional wooden craft for about 2 hours
3. Zen Buddhist trainings – Zen meditation, Sutra copying, etc. for about 2 hours each
guide fee
transportation fare(you and guide), admission fee, meals
I can guide you in Kagawa including Naoshima and the other venues of Setouchi Triennale.
If you would be interested in being guided by me in those places, please contact me to confirm my availability in advance.
This tour is a walking tour, so please wear comfortable shoes.
From the center and east sides of Tokyo(Marunouchi, Asakusa, Ueno), the JR Yokosuka line takes you to Kamakura for about an hour.
The JR Shonan-Shinjuku line runs from the west of Tokyo(Shinjuku, Shibuya), taking about an hour with some trains requiring a transfer at Ofuna station.
The transportation fare is approximately 3,000 JPY for a round trip.
Although the cost varies according to our itinerary, a typical cost is 10,000 JPY per person.
- transportation fare: 4,000 JPY (Hotel - Kamakura, for a round trip)
- lunch: 3,000 JPY
- entrance fees, etc.: 3,000 JPY
For more details, please refer to the Questions and Answers below.
Cultural experiencing sessions are not always held everyday.
Please confirm to me the schedule in advance.
For example:
09:30 am
Meet at the exit of JR Kita-Kamakura Station and visit Engakuji Temple, a huge Zen temple with spacious grounds.
10:30 am
Move to Kamakura Station from Kita-Kamakura by train.
At Kamakura Station, we change a train to Enoden railway.
11:00 am
Arrive at Hase area and visit Kotokuin Temple where we can meet Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha statue.
11:45 am
Visit Hasedera Temple, situating a huge statue of Kannon, numerous statues of Jizo, and a beautiful Japanese-style garden.
You can enjoy viewing the spectacular scenery from a rise in the grounds.
12:30 pm
Move to Kamakura and change to a bus to Hokokuji Temple (Bamboo temple).
We can have lunch at a restaurant in Kamakura.
02:15 pm
Visit Hokokuji Temple and stroll in the bamboo garden.
While viewing the garden, having matcha, or green tea in a café might be a good break.
03:00 pm
Move to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine by bus.
03:30 pm
Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
We will walk around Wakamiya-oji and Komachi-dori Streets lined with various shops.
04:30 pm
Arrive at Kamakura Station and the tour ends
Aki is an experienced guide with a great deal of enthusiasm for his job. He speaks English well and is committed to ensuring his clients enjoy Japan. He is a pleasant person to spend the day with.
Dear Perry, Thank you so much for your excellent review! I am happy you enjoyed a day in Hakone. It was a great pleasure to be your guide. Thanks for coming to Hakone and having me as your guide! With sincere appreciation, Aki
This was our first time in Hakone. The scenery in Hakone was great and beautiful. Although its a pity that we didn’t manage to do the cruise and ropeway due to strong wind, we still get to have a great view over Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji from Onshi-Hakone Park. We also walked over old imperial roads, visited a replica of a samurai checkpoint, a traditional wood processing. My family was impressed with the craving & the various steps combinations. We also visited the shrine and had to wait a long time to take photos at the famous spot. Aki is professional, patient! He waited together with us, helped us take photos. I have yet to experience a guide that stay and queue with their customers. Lastly, Aki bought us to a traditional tea house. It was a new experience for us. The rice tea was special, ‘creamy’ and has unique taste. Nice!! Thank you very much for a great day, Aki-san. Our family enjoyed the day trip.
Dear Jesslyn, Thank you so much for your fantastic review and kind words!! It was a pleasure to have your family as my guests and to share the beauty of Hakone's nature and culture. I am thrilled you enjoyed the stunning view of Mt. Fuji, the local wooden craft, and the specialty drink, Amasake. I had a wonderful time with your family, too. Thanks for coming to Hakone and having me as your guide! With sincere appreciation, Aki
I had an absolutely fantastic time under the guidance of Aki-san, I wasn't completely sure where I wanted to go, so he took me around to lots of wonderful places, and took several pictures for me! He was tremendously helpful, and patient, and has given me many ideas about what I can do and where I'd like to see. He listened to my requests on the fly and was able to offer advice and take me to many places that had exactly what I was looking for. I can't wait for the next tour! ありがとうございました!
Dear Andrew-san, Thank you so much for giving me such an excellent rating and wonderful words! It was my pleasure to have guided you. I'm very happy you enjoyed touring in Tokyo. I had a great time with you, too! Thanks for having me as your guide. With sincere appreciation, Aki とてもたのしかったです!ありがとうございました。
This is our first trip to Japan. Honestly, I was bit apprehensive, not knowing the language, big city, etc. However, we couldn't have done better. Aki was the key to a fabulous time. He gave us a good overview the city and in instances he went above and beyond to help us out or direct us to the right sources. We consider himour friend and highly recommend him to anyone visiting Tokyo.
Dear Sami, I am grateful for your fantastic rating and kind review! It means a lot to me, and I'm so glad you had a great time in Tokyo. It was my pleasure to have guided you. Thanks for choosing me as your guide! With sincere appreciation, Aki