Kamakura
Discover Kamakura
Kamakura (鎌倉市) is a small city in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, Japan. It is a very popular destination among Tokyoites for its beaches, lively center and many temples. It is the perfect place to take a day off from Tokyo's stress. Kamakura is a nice seaside town with a relaxed atmosphere. It was once the political capital of Japan during the Kamakura shogunate, from 1185 to 1333.
Taste of Kamakura...
There are a large number of places to eat in the vicinity of the train station. For a snack, try the local specialty, purple potato soft ice cream (murasaki-imo sofuto), which tastes much better than it sounds (or looks). It is made from the purple sweet potato found throughout Japan. In Komachi street, there is a rice cracker (senbei) shop where you can toast your own senbei. One cracker costs about ¥200. During the summer months, many temporary bars are set up on the beach due south from the train station, some of them feature live bands and DJs and it's generally a very good atmosphere. And don't miss the last train home if you are staying in Tokyo, last minute accommodation late in the evening is simply not an option during the busy summer months. Most visitors daytrip from Tokyo, but there is a pretty good selection of accommodation if you want to spend the night. Pick up a useful map of the temples and suggested walking routes from Kamakura station's tourist information office before you head out.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsKamakura is a very popular day trip from Tokyo for locals and tourists alike, and there are plenty of transportation options. From Narita Airport, the fastest and most expensive way to reach Kamakura is to take the Narita Express in the direction of Yokohama or Ofuna, and then change to the JR Yokosuka line for the run to Kamakura. This takes approximately 2 hours and costs ¥4500, although foreigners can purchase a N'EX Tokyo Direct Ticket. This ticket is only sold in a round-trip version for ¥4000. It may be more convenient to change to the Yokosuka Line at intermediate stations, where it is as simple as a same-platform or cross-platform transfer: If the Narita Express terminates at Yokohama, change at Musashi-Kosugi; if it terminates at Ofuna, change at Totsuka....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Kamakura is just a little too big to cover on foot, but a network of buses radiates out from the train station. Kotokuin and Hasedera can also be reached by taking the Enoden line three stops out to Hase station. Another option is to rent a bicycle for your tour. Nevertheless, for the energetic ones, there is a nice hike starting from Jōchiiji temple and ending near the Kōtokuin. You will walk, with some climbing, through forest. The hike also passes through Zeniarai Benten Shrine, if you are curious about the money washing ceremony. The hike takes about 3 hours, if you also stop and visit the temples along the way. Even in summer, the shade on the path manages to keep the temperature bearable. If you are on a day-trip, doing the hike limits a bit the chances of visiting some of the less reachable temples.
Where to Stay
Most visitors daytrip from Tokyo, but there is a pretty good selection of accommodation if you want to spend the night. Pick up a useful map of the temples and suggested walking routes from Kamakura station's tourist information office before you head out.
Money & Budget
Kamakura is famous for a biscuit called Hatosabure (鳩サブレー), a biscuit shaped like a pigeon. Sold next to Kamakura station and a very popular omiyage (souvenir) among the Japanese. Alternatively, combine good taste with bad taste by purchasing a pack of Giant Buddha shaped pastries stuffed with red bean paste, sold at the souvenir stands in and near Kotokuin. There are a large number of places to eat in the vicinity of the train station. For a snack, try the local specialty, purple potato soft ice cream (murasaki-imo sofuto), which tastes much better than it sounds (or looks). It is made from the purple sweet potato found throughout Japan. In Komachi street, there is a rice cracker (senbei) shop where you can toast your own senbei. One cracker costs about ¥200.