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Buddha, Bamboo & Zen - Bespoke Kamakura Private Walking Tours
5.0
7 Ratings
Kamakura
Discover Kamakura's Great Buddha, Bamboo Temple, and Shinto shrine on a bespoke walking tour. Enjoy samurai history and zen with a local guide.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura) - The tour begins with a visit to Kotoku-in, a Buddhist temple. You will see the majestic Great Buddha of Kamakura, an iconic bronze statue. The 13.35 metre statue was originally carved in wood and then cast in bronze during the 13th century. For a small fee (50 yen), you can enter the interior of this statue. General admission is 300 yen, child admission (for ages 6-12) is 150 yen and there is no charge for children under 6 years old.
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura. The shrine was originally established in 1063 and is dedicated to the deity, Hachiman, the tutelary god of warriors. You will approach the shrine via Wakamiya Ōji street and pass under some red shinto gates called “torii”. You will cross a small bridge over a canal that joins two ponds. A little further along, you will reach a pavilion called ‘Maiden’. If you are lucky, you may be able to see a traditional Japanese wedding, dance or music performance here. You will then climb the Great Stone Steps to the main hall of the shrine. A wonderful panoramic view of the city can be enjoyed from the top of these steps. People make wishes and pray for good fortune at this famous shrine.
- Komachi - Komachi Street is the main pedestrian shopping street that runs through the heart of Kamakura. It is fun to explore the nooks and crannies of this street. You can enjoy a diverse range of dining options, including the freshest local seafood, gourmet burgers, craft beers and sake, desserts, coffee shops and delicious street snacks. You can rent a kimono for a day of sightseeing. Souvenir shops abound selling knives, ceramics, personalised name-engraved chopsticks, retro toys, trinkets and more. There’s even an indoor pig park - where it is possible to hug a micro baby pig.
- Hokoku-ji Temple Bamboo Grove - Hokoku-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1334 and is affectionately called the “Bamboo Temple”. The highlight of a visit to this temple is undoubtedly the 2,000 moso bamboo plants. For a small fee (¥600), you can sip authentic matcha green tea in a teahouse that overlooks a stunningly beautiful bamboo grove. If you listen carefully, you’ll be able to hear the wind whispering between the bamboo. Seasonal flowers, moss gardens, bonzai and statues can be appreciated throughout the temple grounds.
What's Included
- Guiding services
What's Not Included
- Temple admission fees are excluded & must be paid by each guest separately (approx. 2,000 yen)
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- Local train & bus fares are excluded & must be paid by each guest separately.
Additional Information
Buddha, Bamboo & Zen is an all-day bespoke walking tour designed exclusively for you and your family/friends. Stroll around at your own leisurely pace, stopping whenever you feel like it. Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura, the Bamboo Temple (enjoy some green tea) and a famous Shinto shrine. Our guide is conscious of guests being templed out. We can call it a day whenever you are satisfied.
Share your own itinerary with us & we’ll tailor a day walk for your group or hand over the reins to us and we’ll guide you around our favourite spots.
See some man-made caves called yagura.
Step back in time and learn about samurai history and zen, while enjoying the Spartan charm and understated elegance of the rustic temples.
Escape the Tokyo megalopolis for a day and restore your equilibrium in this charming coastal town.
A charismatic native English-speaking (Australian) local guide will make you feel at ease.
- Please note that I have allocated two hours travel time to access the various attractions on foot, train and bus and also to include rest and food/drink breaks.
- We recommend that each guest bring 2,000 yen to cover temple admission fees & transportation. Some extra cash for food & drinks is also recommended.
Location
鎌倉駅［東口］（バス）
Your guide will be waiting for you outside the East Exit of Kamakura train station. He will be standing in front of the Kamakura Tourist Information Centre and holding up a placard with 'Buddha, Bamboo & Zen' on it.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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Y356zvak
Jun 5, 2024
Highly recommended - My partner and I did the Standard tour with BB&Z and it was very enjoyable. Bradee's a long-time local of the area and his passion for showing off Kamakura comes through in his tours. Thoroughly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tripa985
Jun 4, 2024
A Memorable Kamakura Experience with an Exceptional Guide - Brad’s expertise and friendly demeanor made my Kamakura experience unforgettable. He tailored the hike’s pace perfectly, allowing me to fully appreciate every moment and discover a side of Kamakura I had overlooked on previous visits.
Trekking the Seven Passes and tracing the paths of samurai was truly enlightening. The highlight was our visit to Hokokuji, the Bamboo Temple, where we enjoyed matcha in the tranquil bamboo grove.
For an authentic and enriching Kamakura experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Brad as your guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Road32886324528
Apr 29, 2024
A day trip where I found different side of Kamakura, by the Kamakura Ambassador Brad. - As a Japanese citizen who has lived in Yokohama for over 30 years, I wanted to discover a different side of Kamakura that I have visited many times before, as I asked Brad, the Kamakura Ambassador, to be my guide. Our trip began at Asaina Kiridoshi, where I was surprised to find that right below the expressway I had been driving past many times .there was an ancient path that carried Samurai goods to Kamakura 800 years ago.And this path with almost no Tourist,
The contrast between the bustle of the tourist city of Kamakura that I encountered afterwards was very impressive. I also even felt kind of embarrassed at not much knowledge when I heard about the history and production process of the Kamakura Great Buddha in ancient times that I had never heard before from anyone. It was a fulfilling day.Thank Brad for giving me more excitement than I could have imagined as a Japanese. I highly recommend Brad not only to foreigners but also to Japanese people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nick
Apr 23, 2024
Amazing Kamakura - Thank you Brad for an exceptional day in stunning Kamakura ! Amazing day with Brad from Buddha Bamboo & Zen. We walked through the Asahina Kiridoshi pass which was used by the Samurai to transport goods. We saw a beautiful Shinto shrine, rock carvings and Yadira tombs. Onto the Bamboo Temple where we had a delicious traditional green tea whilst relaxing in the amazing gardens. Finally onto the Great Buddha of Kamakura. If you are ever in Tokyo and want an amazing experience we highly recommend Brad
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie_b
Apr 2, 2024
Great day in Kamakura - Wonderful day in Kamakura with Brad. Highly reccomend Brad and the B,B and Z tour. Brad was very knowledgable and put together a great tour that was catered to us and our interests. Brad knew the right amount of things and the diversity of sites to see without feeling rushed. We got a big dose of history, art, and Zen - just what we were looking for- Great Buddha, temples, vegetarian lunch on the beach all wonderful, as was the green tea at the bamboo forest . Brad's upbeat energetic personality and 20+ year living in Kamakura made him an outstanding tour guide. .
Review provided by Viator
Carlo1000kcamino
Feb 25, 2024
A unique relaxing guided walk and tour through Kamakura’s beauty, history and culture visiting it’s hidden gems! - Wow, I loved my private guided walking tour through Kamakura with Brad our guide. Seeing a place by foot adds so much more magic through connection to nature and slowing down the pace of hectic tour itineries, much better than jumping onto crowded tourist busses. Brad is such a fantastic host and ambassador for the area. Kamakura is a coastal city one hour from Tokyo steeped in samurai history & with 115 Buddhist temples dotted around the hills ⛰️🙌🏼🇯🇵🏯🍚🍱🎎. Brad’s local cultural and historical knowledge was awesome and it really highlighted the beauty of this part of Japan which was home to the former capital. If you are heading over to Japan or are already here looking for a great day trip, or know of someone who is, I recommend getting in contact and making a booking with Buddha, Bamboo & Zen. Whether you are travelling solo, in a couple or group, you will be blessed with the natural beauty and culture you will discover on this tour. Brad speaks both English and Japanese and so he can cater to both groups of travellers ➡️❤️🎋😀🏴🇦🇺🇺🇸🏴🏴🇮🇪🇨🇦🇳🇿🇯🇵
You can check out more photos on instagram also @buddhabambooandzen
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ad
Feb 13, 2024
Unforgettable Journey through Kamakura with Brad - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience with Bespoke Kamakura Private Walking Tours exceeded all expectations! Brad, our guide, was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture of Kamakura but also passionate and engaging in his delivery. The tour was personalised to our interests, allowing us to explore hidden gems and iconic landmarks at our own pace. Brad's insights added depth to every stop, making the experience truly unforgettable. I highly recommend Bespoke Kamakura for anyone looking to delve into the rich tapestry of this historical city. A five-star experience all around!
Review provided by Tripadvisor