Great Buddha of Kotoku-in
The most famous bronze statue in Japan after the one in Nara: 13.35 metres tall, built in the 13th century. Unlike the Nara one, this is in the open air and you can step inside the torso.
Kamakura at a glance
Kamakura was the seat of the first shogunate in Japanese history between the 12th and 14th centuries. That legacy is reflected in more than 65 temples and shrines, the most famous bronze Great Buddha in the country and a network of hiking trails through hills that link the temples along historic paths.
Kamakura works perfectly as a day trip from Tokyo: the JR Yokosuka line connects it with Tokyo Station and Shinjuku in under an hour and it is covered by the JR Pass. If you stay overnight, combine it with Enoshima or the hiking trail between the northern temples.
See also: Day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo · Tokyo guide · Hakone guide
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Key Kamakura areas
Kamakura is split between the historic centre (Hachiman-gu and the shopping area), the north (Kita-Kamakura and its Zen temples) and the west (the Great Buddha and Hase-dera). The Enoden coastal train links the shore.
Temples and shrines
Kamakura preserves more than 65 temples and shrines: to the north, the great Zen temples of Kita-Kamakura such as Engaku-ji and Kencho-ji; to the west, Hase-dera with its viewpoint over the sea. Explore them early, when the gardens are almost empty.
Shichirigahama beach and Fuji
The Kamakura coast, traversed by the picturesque Enoden train, offers beaches such as Shichirigahama with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. In summer it fills with surfers and bathers; out of season it is a quiet walk by the sea.
Activities and experiences in Kamakura
Recommended plans, sights and experiences, with budget guidance and direct links.
Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotoku-in Daibutsu)
Temples & castles, Viewpoints · The second-largest Buddha statue in Japan, 13 metres of 13th-century bronze in the open air; admission 300 ¥.
1 - 1.499 JPY
Hokoku-ji (the bamboo temple of Kamakura)
Nature, Temples & castles · Zen temple with a bamboo grove of 2.000 stalks, one of the most serene images in Kamakura; bamboo admission 300 ¥.
1 - 1.499 JPY
Enoshima Island (sea caves, pagoda and Fuji views)
Nature, Viewpoints · Small rocky island 30 min from Kamakura with shrines, sea caves, the Samuel Cocking garden and Fuji views; free access to the island.
1 - 1.499 JPY
Hase-dera Temple (hydrangea garden and Benten caves)
Nature, Temples & castles · Temple with the largest wooden statue of Kannon in Japan, terraces with sea views and a hydrangea garden; admission 400 ¥.
1 - 1.499 JPY
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (the great shrine of Kamakura)
Temples & castles, Viewpoints · Kamakura's central shrine, founded in 1063, with the great stone staircase and the lotus pond; free access.
Free
Engaku-ji (great Zen temple of the Kamakura era)
Temples & castles, Tradition · One of the five great Zen temples of Kamakura, founded in 1282, with the most famous New Year bell in the Kantō; admission 500 ¥.
1 - 1.499 JPY
How to fit Kamakura into your itinerary
Kamakura is the most popular day trip from Tokyo and can be combined with Yokohama in a single day. If your route includes Hakone, the stop at Odawara lets you chain both visits efficiently. Together with Nikko, it completes the classic trio of getaways from the capital. To see where to place this day, check the itineraries by duration.
Travel between cities
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Tokyo
The capital: iconic neighbourhoods, pop culture and the best entry point to the country.
Kyoto
Temples, Gion, the bamboo grove and the most traditional face of Japan.
Osaka
Street food, Dotonbori and the liveliest city on the classic route.
Nara
The deer park, the Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji and historic Japan 45 min from Kyoto.
Hiroshima
The Peace Memorial and the shrine island of Miyajima with its torii over the sea.
Kanazawa
Kenroku-en garden, samurai and geisha districts. Traditional Japan without the crowds.
Takayama
A mountain town with craft sake, historic streets and access to Shirakawa-go.
Kobe
Kobe beef, Chinatown and the cosmopolitan Kitano district 30 min from Osaka.
Hakone
Mount Fuji views, onsen and the best ryokan experience near Tokyo.
Fukuoka
Hakata ramen, night yatai and the gateway to southern Japan.
Nikko
The UNESCO Tosho-gu mausoleum, the Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji 2h from Tokyo.
Kinosaki
A hot-spring town by the Sea of Japan: seven public baths to tour in a yukata among canals and willows.
Kusatsu
One of Japan's great onsen, in the mountains of Gunma, with the steaming Yubatake right in the centre.
Nagano
The Zenko-ji temple, the Jigokudani snow monkeys and the gateway to the Japanese Alps 1h20 from Tokyo.
Wakayama
A historic castle, the fishing-village coast of the Kii Peninsula and the Nachi waterfall, an hour from Osaka.
Kurashiki
The historic Bikan quarter by the canal, the Ohara art museum and Ivy Square, 15 min from Okayama.
Frequently asked questions about Kamakura
Can you visit Kamakura in a day from Tokyo?
Yes, it is one of the most convenient day trips: the JR Yokosuka line takes about 55 minutes from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku. Leaving in the morning gives you time to see the Great Buddha, the Kita-Kamakura temples and Komachi street without rushing. See the day-trip guide →
How much time do you need to see Kamakura?
A full day is enough to see the Great Buddha, the Kita-Kamakura temples and take a walk along Komachi-dori. To include Enoshima or the hiking trails, it is worth staying overnight.
Does the JR Pass cover the train to Kamakura?
Yes, the JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo Station is covered by the JR Pass. The Enoden train that runs along the coast within Kamakura is not included and requires a separate (very cheap) ticket. Work out whether the JR Pass is worth it →
What is the Great Buddha of Kamakura?
It is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha 13.35 metres tall, cast in the 13th century and located at Kotoku-in temple. Unlike the Great Buddha of Nara, it has been in the open air since a tsunami destroyed the building that covered it, and you can step inside the torso for a small fee.
When is the best time to visit Kamakura?
Spring (cherry blossoms at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu) and autumn (foliage) are the most beautiful times, though also the busiest. In summer the beach draws many visitors from Tokyo at weekends. See when to travel to Japan →