Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - This shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan and samurai. It enshrines the deified spirits of Emperor Ojin, Hime-gami, and Empress Jingu, who are associated with Hachiman.

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 one in Nara’s Todaiji Temple and some newer statues.

Hase-dera Temple - Hasedera (長谷寺) is a Jodo sect temple known 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 housed in the temple’s main building, the Kannon-do Hall.

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

Enoshima Island - A short train ride west of Kamakura, Enoshima (江の島) is a tourist-friendly island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island offers various attractions, including a shrine, park, observation tower, and caves. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen.

Enoshima is divided into a yacht harbor accessible by motorized traffic and a forested hill that can only be explored on foot or by paid escalators. The island features several shrine buildings 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.

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, the temple was established to honor the fallen soldiers of the Japanese and Mongolian armies after the second Mongol invasion attempt.

Engakuji is built into the forested hills of Kita-Kamakura. The first main structure is the Sanmon gate, dating from 1783, followed by the Butsuden main hall, which houses a wooden statue of Shaka Buddha. The Butsuden was rebuilt in 1964 after the original was lost in an earthquake.

Kencho-ji Temple - Kenchoji (建長寺, Kenchōji) is the foremost of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples and the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura. Founded by regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 during the Kencho Era, its first head priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen priest from China.

Although smaller than in its prime, Kenchoji still has many buildings and subtemples, stretching from the entrance gate at the valley’s bottom to the forested hills behind. After passing through the Sanmon gate, visitors will see Kenchoji’s temple bell (Bonsho), a national treasure.

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, advising him to construct it for peace. The shrine is also dedicated 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 in June. The temple was originally built as a memorial by a son for his father who died in the Taira and Minamoto clans’ power struggle. It later became part of the larger Zenkoji complex, which was abolished during the Meiji Restoration, leaving only Meigetsuin.

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 through the wooded hills around the temple, enjoying views of Kamakura. Some trails are steep and should be explored with good 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. The remaining main hall houses a statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha. The temple also has a teahouse and a small western-style restaurant with views over Kamakura.

Zuisenji - 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 and many flowers and blooming trees, including 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 statue of Nichiren and is connected to other temples and a shrine via the Gionyama hiking trail. The trail should be explored with good shoes and in dry weather due to steep 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. Founded in 1283 by the Hojo family, 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, 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 Kenchoji school. Established by Minamoto Yoritomo’s wife Masako, its founding priest was Eisai, who introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan. The temple is not open to the public except for its often-photographed pathway.

Sankeien Gardens - Sankeien (三溪園) is a spacious Japanese garden in southern Yokohama, featuring historic buildings from across Japan. Built by Hara Sankei and opened in 1904, the garden includes a daimyo residence, tea houses, and the main hall and pagoda of Kyoto’s old Tomyoji Temple.

Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 - Minato Mirai 21 (みなとみらい 21) is a seaside urban area in central Yokohama, known for its high-rises, including the Landmark Tower. Developed from a shipyard in the 1980s, it offers shopping centers, hotels, a convention center, an amusement park, hot spring baths, museums, and parks.

Yokohama Chinatown - Yokohama Chinatown (横浜中華街, Yokohama Chūkagai) is Japan’s largest Chinatown, featuring Chinese stores, restaurants, and festivals like Chinese New Year. Established after Yokohama’s port opened in 1859, it has more businesses than residents. The area has nine colorful gates and the Kanteibyo temple, dedicated to the Chinese god of good business.

Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama - The Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai District is an interactive museum showcasing the history of instant ramen noodles. Opened by Nissin Food company, it features whimsical exhibits and hands-on workshops. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the visit.

Motomachi Park - During the Edo Period (1603-1867), Japan’s rulers restricted foreign interactions. When this isolation ended in the 1850s, Yokohama became a residence for foreign traders. The Yamate area, also known as “The Bluff,” retains sites from its history as a Western residential district. Despite the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, the area still has international schools and churches.

Yamate 234ban Residence - Similar to Motomachi Park, the Yamate area (山手) in Yokohama was a residential district for Westerners after Japan ended its isolation in the 1850s. The area retains historical sites, though few predate the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. It remains a hilly residential area with international schools and churches.

Shinyokohama Ramen Museum - The Shinyokohama Raumen Museum (新横浜ラーメン博物館, Shin Yokohama Ra-men Hakubutsukan) is a unique museum dedicated to ramen, a popular Japanese noodle dish. It features a gallery on ramen’s history and a replica of 1958 Tokyo streets with nine ramen restaurants.

Yamashita Park - Yamashita Park (山下公園, Yamashita Kōen) is a public park along Yokohama’s waterfront, built after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The park features the Hikawa Maru, an ocean liner turned museum, which served the Yokohama-Vancouver/Seattle line from 1930 to 1960.

Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal - The Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal (大さん橋国際客船ターミナル, Ōsanbashi Kokusai Kyakusen Terminal), or Osanbashi Pier, is where international cruise ships dock in Yokohama. Reconstructed in 2002, the pier features walkways, green spaces, shops, restaurants, and offers views of the Minato Mirai skyline.

• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Yokohama/Kamakura
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• 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.