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Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa prefecture, less than one hour south of Tokyo.
Kamakura became the political center of Japan, when Minamoto Yoritomo chose the city as the seat of his new military government in 1192. The Kamakura government continued to rule Japan for over a century, first under the Minamoto shogun and then under the Hojo regents.
After the decline of the Kamakura government in the 14th century and the establishment of its successor, the Muromachi or Ashikaga government in Kyoto, Kamakura remained the political center of Eastern Japan for some time before losing its position to other cities.
Today, Kamakura is a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In addition, Kamakura's sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.
Great Buddha
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha that is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan (the largest is located in the Todaiji Temple in Nara).
The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.
Kamakura beaches
Kamakura lies at the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Large beaches are located just about 10 minutes from Kamakura Station by foot. The beaches are very popular during the hot summer months when they are crowded not only with locals but also with visitors from the close Tokyo/Yokohama area.
How to get here
How to get to Kamakura
By JR
The JR Yokosuka Line takes slightly less than one hour and costs 890 Yen from Tokyo Station to Kamakura. It also stops at Kitakamakura Station.
From Shinjuku, direct trains on the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line require about one hour and cost 890 Yen to Kamakura. Only trains bound for Zushi, that is roughly every second train on the Shonan Shinjuku Line, provide a direct connection to Kamakura. Otherwise, a transfer of trains is required at Ofuna Station.
JR offers the Kamakura Enoshima Free Kippu, which includes the round trip from Tokyo to Kamakura and unlimited travel of local transport in the Kamakura area for 1970 Yen.
By Odakyu
The cheapest way of visiting Kamakura is by Odakyu's Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass, which includes the round trip from Shinjuku to Kamakura and unlimited usage of the Enoden train for only 1430 Yen. Note however, that the journey to Kamakura, using this pass, takes at least 90 minutes, compared to about 60 minutes by JR.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Kamakura is served by two railway companies, JR East and Enoden. JR East connects Kamakura directly with Yokohama and Tokyo, and Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) operates a tram like line from Kamakura Station along the Pacific coast to Enoshima and Fujisawa.
Kamakura's top attractions are concentrated in three areas, around Kitakamakura Station (Kamakura's Zen temples Engakuji and Kenchoji), Kamakura Station (Hachimangu Shrine) and Hase Station on the Enoden Line (Great Buddha and Hasedera).
Due to its relatively small size, Kamakura can be explored entirely on foot or by rental bicycles. There is also a network of city buses, and short taxi rides are an option to access more isolated sights like Zeniarai Benten and Zuisenji
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