• 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, who is associated 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 paths lead through the bamboo to a tea house where visitors can enjoy matcha tea for a small fee while viewing the grove. Behind the temple are shallow caves believed to contain 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 through these woods connect various atmospheric temples and are a great way to explore Kamakura’s sights. Most trails take between 30 to 90 minutes to complete, offering a mix of nature and cultural experiences.

• 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 features attractions like a shrine, park, observation tower, and caves, with views of Mount Fuji on clear days.

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) and contains most of the attractions. Several shrine buildings, collectively known as Enoshima Shrine, are dedicated to Benten, the 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 one of Eastern Japan’s leading Zen temples 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 built into the slopes of Kita-Kamakura’s forested hills. The first main structure is the Sanmon main gate, dating from 1783. Behind it is the Butsuden main hall, displaying 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 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 the Sanmon main gate, visitors will see Kenchoji’s temple bell (Bonsho), a national treasure, on the 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 features abundant hydrangea blooms during the rainy season in June, with 95% being the Hime Ajisai (“Princess Hydrangea”) variety, known 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 the larger Zenkoji 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 southeastern Kamakura. Founded by Nichiren around 1253, he is said to have lived there for several years.

Visitors can walk a short hiking trail through the wooded hills around the temple buildings, enjoying 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 and once had seven buildings and several pagodas. Many structures were destroyed by fire over the centuries, leaving only the historic main hall, reception hall, main gate, and warehouse.

The main hall, at the end of a garden, houses a statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha. Jomyoji also has a restored teahouse where visitors can enjoy tea for a small fee while viewing a dry garden. The hillside behind the main hall has a spacious cemetery, and a path leads to a small western-style restaurant with good views over Kamakura.

• Zuisenji - Zuisenji (瑞泉寺) is a beautiful Zen temple in eastern Kamakura, surrounded by wooded hills in a narrow valley. 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 grounds also feature many flowers and blooming trees, including numerous plum trees.

• Myohonji Temple - Myohonji (妙本寺, Myōhonji) is one of several Nichiren sect temples in southeastern Kamakura. 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 other 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 and a branch temple of the Engakuji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Its head temple, Engakuji, is just a few hundred meters away on the opposite side of 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 small and calm, its main hall, the Dongeden, displays 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 on the opposite side of the railway tracks.

Founded in 1285 by the wife of regent Hojo Tokimune after his early death, Tokeiji 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 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.

• Licensed Local 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.