• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - This shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron deity of the Minamoto family and samurai in general. The deified spirits of the ancient Emperor Ojin, identified with Hachiman, Hime-gami, and Empress Jingu, are enshrined here.
• 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, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, only surpassed by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple and some newer creations.
• Hase-dera Temple - Hasedera (長谷寺) is a Jodo sect temple, renowned 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 can be admired in the temple’s main building, the Kannon-do Hall.
• Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple) - Hokokuji Temple is famous 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, for a small fee, visitors can enjoy a cup of matcha tea while taking in the bamboo grove views. 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 leading Zen temple in Eastern Japan and the second of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. Founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokimune in 1282, a year after the second Mongol invasion attempt was repelled, the temple was built to honor fallen Japanese and Mongolian soldiers.

Engakuji is nestled in the forested hills of Kita-Kamakura. The first main structure upon entering is the Sanmon main gate, dating from 1783. Behind it stands the Butsuden, the 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. As the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura, it was founded by the ruling regent Hojo Tokiyori in 1253 during the Kencho Era, after which it was named. Its first head priest was Rankei Doryu, a Zen priest from China.

Although smaller than in its prime, Kenchoji still comprises numerous temple 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 find 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 visit to 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 the shrine to bring peace to the country. As the dream occurred on the day, month, and year of the snake, the shrine was later 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”) due to the abundance of hydrangeas blooming on the temple grounds during the rainy season in June. 95% of the hydrangeas here are of the Hime Ajisai (“Princess Hydrangea”) variety, named for their pretty blue colors.

Originally a repose built by a son in memory of his father who died in the power struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans in the late Heian Period, it later became part of a larger temple complex called Zenkoji. This complex was abolished during anti-Buddhist movements soon after the Meiji Restoration, leaving only Meigetsuin as an individual temple today.

• Ankokuronji Temple - Ankokuronji (安国論寺) is one of several Nichiren sect temples along the southeastern hills of Kamakura. Nichiren himself founded Ankokuronji around 1253 when he first arrived in Kamakura, and he is said to have lived at the temple for several years.

Visitors can enjoy a short hiking trail through the wooded hills around the temple buildings, offering a pleasant view of Kamakura city. Some trail passages are quite steep and should be explored with good walking shoes and during dry weather.

• Jomyo-ji Temple - Jomyoji Temple (浄妙寺, Jōmyōji) is a Zen temple in the eastern hills of Kamakura. Ranked fifth among Kamakura’s five great Zen temples, Jomyoji was founded by the influential Ashikaga family and once comprised seven buildings and several pagodas. Over the centuries, many structures were destroyed by fire, leaving only the historic main hall, reception hall, main gate, and warehouse today. The main hall, located at the end of a garden, houses a statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha.

Jomyoji Temple also features a restored teahouse where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea for a small fee while admiring the dry garden view. Behind the main hall is the temple’s spacious cemetery, and a path leads up the hill to a small western-style restaurant operated by the temple, offering good views over Kamakura from its patio.

• Zuisenji - Zuisenji (瑞泉寺) is a beautiful Zen temple in the far east of Kamakura, nestled in a narrow valley and surrounded by wooded hills. It is a branch temple of Engakuji Temple.

Zuisenji was founded by Muso Kokushi, a leading Zen master and one of Japan’s most famous garden designers. The temple is renowned for its pure Zen rock garden behind the main hall, designed by Muso himself. The temple also attracts visitors with its many flowers and blooming trees, including a large number of plum trees.

• Myohonji Temple - Myohonji (妙本寺, Myōhonji) is one of several Nichiren sect temples along the southeastern hills of 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 during dry weather due to a few steep and rough passages.

• 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. Its head temple, Engakuji Temple, is just a few hundred meters away on the opposite side of the railway tracks.

Jochiji was founded in 1283 by members of the ruling Hojo family following the premature death of a son. Once a large temple complex with many buildings and subtemples, Jochiji is now small and tranquil. In its main hall, the Dongeden, the temple’s main object of worship, a Buddhist trinity of the Amida Buddha, Shaka Buddha, and Miroku Buddha, is displayed.

• 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 Temple, is just a few hundred meters away on the opposite side of the railway tracks.

Tokeiji was founded by the wife of regent Hojo Tokimune in 1285 after Tokimune’s early death. Until the end of the Edo Period, the temple served as a refuge for women who suffered abuse from their husbands and sought a divorce. 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. It is a branch temple of the Rinzai sect’s Kenchoji school.

Jufukuji was established by the order of Minamoto Yoritomo’s wife Masako after her husband’s passing. Its founding priest was Eisai, the man who introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan. Besides the often-photographed pathway leading to the temple, Jufukuji is not open to the public.

• Eishoji Temple - Eisho-ji Temple (英勝寺) is the only surviving nunnery in Kamakura, located near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Founded in the early Edo period by a woman connected to the Tokugawa family, it is known as a “flower temple” for its seasonal blooms.

Visitors can enjoy a peaceful bamboo grove and a graceful Amida Buddha statue, said to be by the famous sculptor Unkei. The quiet atmosphere makes it a hidden gem worth visiting.

• Private vehicle
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

• Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under ‘What to Expect.’

This is the ideal tour for travelers wanting to discover Kamakura’s highlights efficiently in a private vehicle accompanied by a government-licensed guide!

Take a breath of fresh sea air when you visit Kamakura. Kamakura’s temples and shrines are known for beautiful gardens. View the ocean from the highest points of the temples and write your wish on an oyster shell. The over 11 meters tall Great Buddha is an icon of the area residing in Kotokuin Temple. After the temples and shrines, stop by the old Komachi shopping street. Locals and tourists alike flock here. Try some Hatosabure, dove shaped biscuits, while you are there. Kamakura has much to offer and we hope to guide you soon!

Note1: Please select 3-4 spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

• There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.