• Hase-dera Temple - Hasedera (長谷寺) is a Jodo sect temple, renowned for its eleven-headed Kannon statue, the goddess of mercy. The 9.18-meter tall, gilded wooden statue is one of Japan’s largest wooden sculptures and is housed in the temple’s main building, the Kannon-do Hall.
• Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura) - The Great Buddha of Kamakura (鎌倉大仏, Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha located at Kotokuin Temple. Standing at 11.4 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, only surpassed by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple and some newer creations.
• Kencho-ji Temple - Kenchoji (建長寺, Kenchōji) is the foremost of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. Founded by the regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 during the Kencho Era, it is the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura. Its first head priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen priest from China.

Although smaller than in its prime, Kenchoji still has numerous temple buildings and subtemples, extending from the entrance gate at the valley’s base into the forested hills behind. After passing through the Sanmon main gate, visitors will find Kenchoji’s temple bell (Bonsho), a national treasure, on their right.

• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - This shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron god of the Minamoto family and samurai. The deified spirits of Emperor Ojin, identified with Hachiman, Hime-gami, and Empress Jingu are enshrined here.

• Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple) - Hokokuji Temple is famed for its beautiful, small bamboo grove behind the main hall, with over 2000 dark green bamboo stalks. Narrow pathways lead through the bamboo to a tea house where, for a small fee, visitors can enjoy matcha tea while viewing the grove. Behind the temple are shallow caves believed to hold the ashes of some later Ashikaga lords.

• Enoshima Island - A short train ride west of Kamakura, Enoshima (江の島) is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island features a shrine, park, observation tower, and caves. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen. Several shrine buildings, collectively known as Enoshima Shrine, are dedicated to Benten, the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music, and knowledge, who is believed to have created Enoshima and subdued a five-headed dragon that terrorized the area.

• Engaku-ji Temple - Engakuji (円覚寺) is a leading Zen temple in Eastern Japan and the second of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. Founded by regent Hojo Tokimune in 1282, a year after the second Mongol invasion attempt, it was built to honor fallen Japanese and Mongolian soldiers. Engakuji is nestled in the slopes of Kita-Kamakura’s forested hills. The first main structure is the Sanmon main gate from 1783, followed by the Butsuden main hall, which houses a wooden Shaka Buddha statue. The Butsuden was rebuilt in 1964 after an earthquake destroyed the previous building.

• Zeniarai Benten Shrine - Zeniarai Benten Shrine (銭洗弁天) is a popular shrine in western Kamakura where people wash their money, believing it will double. Minamoto Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura government, built the shrine after a god appeared in his dream, suggesting its construction to bring peace to the country. The shrine is also dedicated to Benten, a Buddhist goddess associated with snakes, as the dream occurred on the day, month, and year of the snake.

• Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple) - Meigetsuin Temple (明月院) is a Rinzai Zen Sect temple founded in 1160 in Kamakura. Known as Ajisaidera (“Hydrangea Temple”), it features abundant hydrangea blooms during the rainy season in June, with 95% being the Hime Ajisai (“Princess Hydrangea”) variety, named for their pretty blue colors. Originally a repose built by a son in memory of his father who died in the Taira and Minamoto clans’ power struggle, it later became part of the larger Zenkoji complex, which was abolished after the Meiji Restoration, leaving Meigetsuin as an individual temple.

• Ankokuronji Temple - Ankokuronji (安国論寺) is one of several Nichiren sect temples in southeastern Kamakura. Founded by Nichiren around 1253, he lived there for several years. Visitors can hike a short trail through the wooded hills around the temple, offering a nice view of Kamakura. Some passages are steep and should be explored with good walking shoes and in dry weather.

• Jomyo-ji Temple - Jomyoji Temple (浄妙寺, Jōmyōji) is a Zen temple in eastern Kamakura, ranked fifth among Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. Founded by the Ashikaga family, it once had seven buildings and several pagodas, but many were destroyed by fire. Today, the main hall, reception hall, main gate, and warehouse remain. The main hall houses a Shaka Nyorai statue and sits at the end of a garden. The temple also has a restored teahouse where visitors can enjoy tea while viewing a dry garden. The hillside behind the main hall has a spacious cemetery and a path leading to a small western-style restaurant with views over Kamakura.

• Zuisen-ji Temple - Zuisenji (瑞泉寺) is a beautiful Zen temple in eastern Kamakura, surrounded by wooded hills. A branch of Engakuji Temple, it was founded by Muso Kokushi, a leading Zen master and garden designer. The temple is known for its Zen rock garden behind the main hall, designed by Muso, and its many flowers and blooming trees, including numerous plum trees.

• Myohonji Temple - Myohonji (妙本寺, Myōhonji) is a Nichiren sect temple in southeastern Kamakura. Founded by Hiki Yoshimoto in 1260, it features a Nichiren statue to the left of the main hall. The temple is connected via the Gionyama hiking trail to other nearby temples and a shrine. The trail goes through Kamakura’s wooded hills and should be explored with good walking shoes and in dry weather due to steep and rough passages.

• Jochiji Temple - Jochiji (浄智寺, Jōchiji) is the fourth of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples and a branch of the Engakuji school of the Rinzai sect. Founded in 1283 by the Hojo family after the premature death of a son, it was once a large complex but is now small and calm. The main hall, Dongeden, houses a Buddhist trinity of Amida Buddha, Shaka Buddha, and Miroku Buddha.

• Tokeiji Temple - Tokeiji (東慶寺, Tōkeiji) is a small branch temple of the Engakuji school within the Rinzai sect. Founded in 1285 by the wife of regent Hojo Tokimune after his death, it served as a shelter for abused women seeking divorce until the end of the Edo Period. An official divorce could be obtained by staying at the temple for three years.

• Jufukuji Temple - Jufukuji Temple (寿福寺) is the third of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples and a branch of the Rinzai sect’s Kenchoji school. Established by Minamoto Yoritomo’s wife Masako after his death, its founding priest was Eisai, who introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan. Besides the often-photographed pathway leading to the temple, it is not open to the public.

• Private vehicle
• English speaking driver
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list’

• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.

The tour for independent travelers to discover Kamakura on their own but, with the ease of having an English-speaking chauffeur. Relax as your chauffeur takes you around Kamakura in style and comfort.

Take a breath of fresh sea air when you visit Kamakura. Kamakura’s temples and shrines are known for beautiful gardens. View the ocean from the highest points of the temples and write your wish on an oyster shell. The over 11 meters tall Great Buddha is an icon of the area residing in Kotokuin Temple. After the temples and shrines, stop by the old Komachi shopping street. Locals and tourists alike flock here. Try some Hatosabure, dove shaped biscuits, while you are there. Kamakura has much to offer and we hope to guide you soon!

Tour details may change due to traffic conditions. Travel time between Tokyo and Kamakura is about 70 min. Specific vehicle types are not available for request. Tour does not include guide. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.