Kamakura

Tour Stops

Hokokuji

Hokokuji is a Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1334, best known for its serene bamboo grove — over a thousand towering moso bamboo stalks that filter the light into a soft green haze. After walking the grove, visitors can sit in the tea house tucked among the bamboo and enjoy freshly whisked matcha while taking in the quiet atmosphere. The temple grounds are deliberately understated, making it a perfect contrast to Kamakura’s busier sites.

Daibutsu (Kotoku-in)

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a 13.35-meter bronze statue of Amida Buddha, cast in 1252. Originally housed inside a grand wooden hall, the statue has sat in the open air since a tsunami swept the building away in 1498. Its calm expression and the weathered patina of centuries make it one of Japan’s most iconic images. Visitors can enter the hollow interior of the statue for a small fee, an unusual opportunity to see the casting techniques used nearly 800 years ago.

Hasedera

Perched on a hillside overlooking Sagami Bay, Hasedera is home to one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan — a gilded, 9.18-meter Kannon carved from a single camphor tree. The temple grounds feature multiple levels: a lower garden with ponds and flowers, and an upper terrace with panoramic coastal views. In June, the hydrangea-lined walkways draw visitors from across the country. The Benten-kutsu cave, filled with small statues of the goddess of fortune, adds an unexpected underground detour.

Beach Walk

The tour continues with a relaxed seaside walk, usually along Yuigahama Beach. This long stretch of sand faces Sagami Bay and has been a popular bathing spot since the Meiji era. Even outside of swimming season, it offers a wide-open view of the coastline backed by the green hills of Kamakura — a welcome change of pace after temple visits.

Enoshima Extension

If time allows, Kamakura combines naturally with Enoshima for a longer coastal route. The two are connected by the Enoden line, a charming local train that hugs the shoreline between them.