• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - This shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan and samurai in general. It enshrines the deified spirits of the ancient Emperor Ojin, identified with Hachiman, along with 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 tall, 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, small bamboo grove behind the main hall, featuring 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.

• 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 the forested hills of Kita-Kamakura. The first main structure is the Sanmon main gate, dating from 1783. Behind it is the Butsuden main hall, which houses a wooden statue of the Shaka Buddha. The Butsuden was rebuilt in 1964 after the previous building was lost in an earthquake.

• 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 Kamakura’s oldest Zen temple. Its first head priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen priest from China.

Though smaller than in its prime, Kenchoji still has many buildings and subtemples, stretching from the entrance gate at the valley’s bottom far into the forested hills. After passing through the Sanmon main gate, visitors will 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, the founder of the Kamakura government, ordered the shrine’s construction after a god appeared in his dream, advising him to build it to bring peace to the country. The dream occurred on the day, month, and year of the snake, so the shrine was 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 is famous for its abundant hydrangea blooms during the rainy season in June. 95% of the hydrangea are the Hime Ajisai (“Princess Hydrangea”) variety, named for their pretty blue colors.

Originally 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 the larger Zenkoji temple complex. Zenkoji was abolished during anti-Buddhist movements 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 the southeastern hills of Kamakura. Founded by Nichiren himself around 1253, he lived at the temple for several years.

Visitors can hike a short trail through the wooded hills around the temple buildings, offering a nice view of Kamakura. 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, it was founded by the influential Ashikaga family. At its peak, it had seven buildings and several pagodas, but many structures were destroyed by fire over the centuries. Today, only the historic main hall, reception hall, main gate, and warehouse remain. The main hall houses a statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha.

Jomyoji Temple also has a restored teahouse where visitors can enjoy tea while viewing a dry garden. The temple’s spacious cemetery is on the hillside behind the main hall, and a path leads up to a small western-style restaurant with good views over Kamakura.

• Zuisenji - Zuisenji (瑞泉寺) is a beautiful Zen temple in eastern Kamakura, 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 famous garden designer, Zuisenji is known for its pure Zen rock garden behind the main hall, designed by Muso. The temple also features 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 to nearby temples and a shrine via the Gionyama hiking trail, which leads through Kamakura’s wooded hills. The trail has steep and rough passages, so it should be explored with good walking shoes and in dry weather.

• 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, with its head temple, Engakuji, just a few hundred meters away across the railway tracks.

Founded in 1283 by the ruling Hojo family after the premature death of a son, Jochiji was once a large complex with many buildings and subtemples. Now, it is small and tranquil. The main hall, Dongeden, houses a Buddhist trinity of the 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, is just a few hundred meters away across the railway tracks.

Founded in 1285 by the wife of regent Hojo Tokimune after his early death, Tokeiji served as a refuge for women suffering from spousal abuse, offering 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.

• Private transportation
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Highway Fee
• Surcharges on fuel
• Licensed Local Guide
• 2-3 places to choose from the itinerary
• Parking fees

• Other personal expenses
• Lunch
• Food and Drink
• Entrance fees