• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - This shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron deity of the Minamoto clan and samurai. The enshrined deities include the deified spirits of Emperor Ojin, identified with Hachiman, Hime-gami, and Empress Jingu.

• 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.

• Hase-dera Temple - Hasedera (長谷寺) is a Jodo sect temple, renowned for its eleven-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The 9.18-meter-tall, gilded wooden statue is one of Japan’s largest wooden sculptures and is displayed in the temple’s main building, the Kannon-do Hall.

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

• Kamakura Hiking Trails - Kamakura is bordered by the ocean to the south and wooded hills in other directions. Scenic hiking trails traverse these hills, connecting various atmospheric temples, offering a delightful way to explore Kamakura’s sights. Most trails take between 30 to 90 minutes to complete, providing a blend of nature and cultural experiences.

• Enoshima Island - A short train ride west of Kamakura, Enoshima (江の島) is a charming tourist island off the coast, connected by a bridge to the mainland. The island features attractions such as a shrine, park, observation tower, and caves. On clear days, Mount Fuji is visible.

Enoshima is divided into a yacht harbor accessible by motorized traffic and a forested hill, which can only be explored on foot (and paid escalators) and contains most attractions. Several shrine buildings, collectively known as Enoshima Shrine, are dedicated to Benten, a goddess of good fortune, wealth, music, and knowledge. Benten 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 prominent 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 repelling the second Mongol invasion, the temple honors fallen Japanese and Mongolian soldiers.

Engakuji is nestled in Kita-Kamakura’s forested hills. The first main structure is the Sanmon gate, dating from 1783. Behind it is the Butsuden, the main hall, housing a wooden statue of Shaka Buddha. The Butsuden was rebuilt in 1964 after an earthquake destroyed the previous building.

• Kencho-ji Temple - Kenchoji (建長寺, Kenchōji) is the foremost of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. Founded by 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, stretching from the entrance gate at the valley’s base into the forested hills. After passing through the Sanmon gate, visitors see Kenchoji’s temple bell (Bonsho), a national treasure, on their right.

• Zeniarai Benten Shrine - Zeniarai Benten Shrine (銭洗弁天) is a popular shrine in western Kamakura, where people wash their money (zeniarai means “coin washing”). It is believed that money washed in the shrine’s spring will double.

Minamoto Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura government, ordered the shrine’s construction after a god appeared in his dream, advising him to build the shrine to bring peace to the country. The dream occurred on the day of the snake, in the month of the snake, in the year of the snake, leading to the shrine’s dedication to Benten, a Buddhist goddess associated with snakes.

• 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. 95% of the hydrangea are of 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 in the late Heian Period, it later became part of a larger temple complex called Zenkoji, which was abolished during anti-Buddhist movements after the Meiji Restoration, leaving only Meigetsuin as an individual temple today.

• Ankokuronji Temple - Ankokuronji (安国論寺) is one of several Nichiren sect temples in the southeastern hills of Kamakura. Founded by Nichiren around 1253 when he first arrived in Kamakura, he is said to have lived at the temple for several years.

Visitors can walk a short hiking trail through the wooded hills around the temple buildings, enjoying a nice view of Kamakura along the way. Some trail 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’s hills. Ranked fifth among Kamakura’s five great Zen temples, Jomyoji was founded by the influential Ashikaga family and once comprised seven buildings and several pagodas. Over the centuries, many structures were destroyed by fire, leaving only the historic main hall, reception hall, main gate, and warehouse today. The main hall, at the end of a garden, houses a statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha.

Jomyoji Temple also features a restored teahouse where visitors can enjoy tea for a small fee while viewing a dry garden. Behind the main hall is the temple’s spacious cemetery, and a path leads up the hill to a small western-style restaurant operated by the temple, offering good views over Kamakura from its patio.

• Zuisenji - Zuisenji (瑞泉寺) is a beautiful Zen temple in Kamakura’s far east, nestled in a narrow valley and surrounded by wooded hills. It is a branch temple of Engakuji Temple.

Founded by Muso Kokushi, a leading Zen master and renowned garden designer, Zuisenji is known for its pure Zen rock garden behind the main hall, designed by Muso himself. The temple also attracts visitors with its many flowers and blooming trees, including numerous plum trees.

• Myohonji Temple - Myohonji (妙本寺, Myōhonji) is one of several Nichiren sect temples in Kamakura’s southeastern hills. Founded by Hiki Yoshimoto in 1260, it features a statue of Nichiren to the left of the main hall.

The temple is connected via the Gionyama hiking trail to nearby temples and a shrine. The trail leads through Kamakura’s wooded hills and should be explored with good walking shoes and in dry weather due to some steep and rough passages.

• Jochiji Temple - Jochiji (浄智寺, Jōchiji) is the fourth of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. It is a branch temple of the Engakuji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Its head temple, Engakuji Temple, is just a few hundred meters away on the opposite side of the railway tracks.

Founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family after a son’s premature death, Jochiji was once a large temple complex with many buildings and subtemples. Now small and tranquil, its main hall, the Dongeden, displays 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 of Zen Buddhism. Its head temple, Engakuji Temple, is just a few hundred meters away on the opposite side of the railway tracks.

Founded by the wife of regent Hojo Tokimune in 1285 after his early death, Tokeiji served as a refuge for women suffering abuse from their husbands, offering an official divorce after a three-year stay.

• Jufukuji Temple - Jufukuji Temple (寿福寺) is the third of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. It is a branch temple 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, Jufukuji is not open to the public.

• Customizable Walking Tour of 3-4 sites
• Meet up with guide on foot in Kamakura/Yokohama
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• Private transportation
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Located just an hour away from Tokyo, Kamakura is an essential center of Japan’s cultural heritage, known as the stronghold of the samurai. Your journey begins with meeting your guide either at your hotel or the nearest station. Your adventure proceeds with the Daibutsu Trail, spanning 3.7 miles (6km).

The Daibutsu hiking trail navigates you from the southern Great Buddha (Daibutsu) to the northern Jochi-ji Zen temple. The tour is flexible and can be tailored to suit your preferences. You simply need to communicate your desires, preferred timings, and accommodation details to our local associate.

Note1: In order to curate a customized itinerary, please pick your preferred destinations from the list provided in the tour information.
Note2: The Japanese government issues the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification which necessitates a comprehensive grasp and perception of Japanese history and culture.

• This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

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