Kamakura Temple Exploration: Enjoy Peaceful and Scenic Attractions with a Local Guide
5.0
2 Ratings
Kamakura
Immerse yourself in the peaceful and scenic attractions of Kamakura with a knowledgeable local guide. Explore beautiful temples, away from the tourist crowds, and learn about the city's history and traditions. Enjoy a private tour and have the afternoon free for your own plans.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple) - Walk 7 minutes. (see remarks) Meigetsu-In, known as “Hydrangea Temple” is famous nationwide with approximately 2,500 hydrangea varieties with beautiful blue colors from the end of May to the end of June. It is a Zen temple built in the late 14th century and there is a dry landscape garden, an inner garden (closed to the public), and a teahouse.
    Remarks) After the course briefing at the tour start, if you select Chouju-Ji Temple (open only from April to June, and October to early December) instead of Meigetsu In, this tour will not visit Meigetsu-In Temple rather go direct to Jouchi-Ji Temple then Chouju-Ji Temple.

  • Jochiji Temple - Walk three minutes. Jochi-ji Temple is a very serene Zen temple. The temple is famous for its moss-covered approach, a building that houses an old Buddhist image, and Hotei Son (one of the seven gods of good fortune), who is located on a rock ledge carved out of the cliff, Yagura. It is said that if you stroke Hotei Son’s belly, you will gain virtue, popularity, and energy.

  • Chojuji Temple - Walk 9 minutes. Chouju-Ji Temple is a hidden Zen temple as it is almost inaccessible on the Web and has a limited open schedule for general tourists and is a beautiful temple that is a strong favorite among the locals. Visitors can relax on the porch, immerse themselves in flowers, moss, and green (or autumnal foliage), and enjoy the silence. Conversation is not recommended. There is no explanation in English. Only open on Friday to Sunday in April to June, and October to early December. Temporarily close to the public on days of strong rain.

  • Iwafune Jizodo - After walk over Kamegayasuzaka slop, 800 year old cut-through for 8 minutes, you will see small wooden building, related to tradegy in 12th centry samurai pricess.

  • Kaizoji Temple - Walk 9 minutes. Kaizo-ji Temple is a Zen temple where beautiful flowers can be seen all year round. It is not so famous in terms of tourism, but is very popular among the locals. A tunnel behind the temple grounds leads to a cave with 16 round wells, dag in the early 14th century.

  • Jufukuji Temple - Walk 12 minutes. The tour stops at Jufuku-ji Temple’s main gate and walks nearly 80 meters along the beautiful path to the middle gate. This will be an excellent photo opportunity. The temple grounds are not open to the public.

  • Shirahata Shrine, Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine - Walk 9 minutes. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is dedicated to the Hachiman God, the god of war who protects the Genji clan that founded the Kamakura Shogunate. This huge shrine was built under the patronage of the Kamakura Shogunate and remains a must-visit place for tourists in Kamakura.
    Today, the shrine is popular among Japanese people, with 2.5 million people paying homage to the shrine on New Year’s Day. It has interesting facilities such as Torii gates, Maiden (dance hall), and Honden (main hall). Shirahata Shrine, a shrine of the Minamoto clan, is also located on the same site. It is an interesting place to learn about customs of Shintoism that is still widely believed in by the Japanese people today.

What's Included
  • Professional Local Tour Guide
  • Entrance fees of temples for the guide
What's Not Included
  • Not included : Entrance fees of temples and shrines for guests, total 700 yen/guest as of March 2023
  • Tea and coffee
  • Bottled water
  • Comfortable walking shoes for three hour walk
  • Gratuities
  • Insurance for guests such as accidents, theft
Additional Information

This tour will mainly visit beautiful temples that are popular among the locals, not the usual tourist attractions.

Different from touristy and crowded temples, you will be able to relax and enjoy the quiet temples with the flowers, moss, greenery, and in late fall, the autumn leaves.

The guide is not a guide sent from Tokyo. The tour guide is a local who has lived near the Kamakura area for about 40 years, loves the tour course and the temples, and has a government certification.

The guide’s explanation of Kamakura’s history and traditions will bring you even closer to the people of that time. For example, 800-year-old cut-through and the tragedy of the princess enshrined in the Jizo Hall. The guide’s explanations can be reduced on request.

This is a private tour where only you or your couple walk around together. This means that you can enjoy this tour without being bothered by other guests.

The tour ends at noon, so you are free to make your own plans for the afternoon.

Location
Kita-Kamakura Station
At the East Exit of the station. If you come from Tokyo, it is one station before Kamakura Station. That Exit is at the end of the platform you just got off. (Unfortunately mark in the below map is incorrect in detail) A guide with a "Viator" paper will be there 5 minutes before the tour starts.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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Global44923104284
Apr 19, 2024
Wonderful historical trip with a friendly guide - I had very good time with the guide in Kamakura. I was able to meet him without waiting. The weather was like early summer during the tour. He was so knowledgeable about the area enough to give me historical and geographical information that interested me a lot. For example, in Meigetsuin Temple, he showed me the biggest cave in Kamakura where tombs of worriors were left. That reminded me of medieval battle those days. I'll highly recommend you to join this tour to enjoy walking and learning in the quiet, peaceful and historical area with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelly_v
Nov 11, 2023
Great Kamakura Tour with Quiet Time - It was great to immerse myself in a slow-paced atmosphere that made me forget the hustle and bustle of the city. I was happy to spend a wonderful time walking around the tranquil gardens located behind the temples we visited, which were so soothing and relaxing. It was a wonderful tour that was a nice change from the usual tours. The guide's selection of temples and explanations of their historical backgrounds were great as they kept me interested. The guide's personality was also excellent and friendly, which made the tour even better. It was a very nice and memorable tour, and now I would recommend this tour to my friends. If you are looking for a tour where you want to spend some quiet time in the ancient temples, this tour is especially recommended.
Review provided by Viator
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May 2024
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