A enjoyable Kamakura day journey from Tokyo

Tokyo is just not solely an unbelievable metropolis in its personal proper however a wonderful base to discover the encompassing areas and a Kamakura day journey is a superb option to get began. Whether or not you might be after a foodie expertise, seasonal surroundings, seashores to loosen up or the heritage temples and shrines of the previous capital, Kamakura is a unbelievable space to discover.

Learn extra: Out high suggestions for day journeys from Tokyo

The way to get from Tokyo to Kamakura

Utilizing JR trains

It’ll take below an hour to get from Tokyo to Kamakura station by Japan Rail practice. From Tokyo station you’ll use the JR Yokosuka line, and the journey will value Y940. From Shinjuku station, the Shonan Shinjuku Line will add a few minutes to the journey however nonetheless take lower than an hour and the worth is identical.

JR is an easy, inexpensive and handy possibility for many guests. You’ll be able to pay utilizing an IC card similar to SUICA or PASMO, purchase a ticket on the ticket machines close to the gate or use a Japan Rail Go if in case you have one, though we now not suggest that cross for many vacationers.

Utilizing the Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura FreePass

If you’re searching for probably the most inexpensive method to get between Tokyo and Kamakura then the personal railway, Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura cross, affords that. The cross prices Y1640 and also you get the return tickets from Tokyo, limitless use of the Enoden Line between Enoshima and Kamakura and reductions at some points of interest and eateries within the area.

This selection takes no less than 1 hour and 40 minutes from Shinjuku to Kamakura so fairly a bit longer than JR as a result of it makes use of totally different practice strains and requires you to alter railways to finish the journey from Enoshima throughout to Kamakura.

This selection is beneficial if you’re a quick traveller and wish to embody each Enoshima and Kamakura in your day journey itinerary. If you’re contemplating this feature you could wish to additionally learn our Enoshima Information for that part of the day.

Highlights of the Kamakura day journey itinerary

This one-day itinerary is meant for first-time guests who will wish to see the most well-liked points of interest it’s straightforward to suit right into a single day however we are going to embody some further concepts for those who really feel you possibly can slot in a few further stops alongside the best way.

We’ll add a second article with a Kamakura Mountaineering Path itinerary quickly that takes you thru bush trails, slender laneways, parks and shrines to find a quieter aspect of town with a deal with nature and a few much less acquainted points of interest.

Kamakura Station

We begin our itinerary at Kamakura JR station, which is the arrival level for many guests to town. The Enoden, Enoshima Electrical Railway station is positioned instantly behind it if in case you have arrived with the Odakyu cross.

We’ll exit throughout the bus station following the brief avenue reverse after which flip left. If we had headed on to the left of the bus station below the Torii gate we’d be on the Komachi-dori however as a substitute, we are going to come again that method later and discover some fascinating lunch stops after the shrine.

Strolling the Dankazura

On the finish of that brief avenue, flip left into Wakamiya Oji Road and about 100 metres down you will notice a big vermillion torii gate. Stroll down and cross over to the Torii, it’s at first of the lengthy straight pedestrian-only path that results in the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

The 800-metre path was constructed by the primary Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo as a part of his prayers to the Shrine for the protected supply of a boy youngster. Functionally the trail narrows because it approaches the Shrine giving the optical phantasm it’s longer than it’s to thwart an enemy assault. The Dankazura is planted with cherry blossom timber and azaleas which are beautiful within the early spring though its leafy cover makes for an pleasant stroll in all seasons.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

On the finish of the Dankazura, you come to the doorway to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

Kamakura was the capital of Japan within the late twelfth century when the Samurai and Shogun rule was established. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was initially inbuilt 1063 and was the shrine of the Minamoto clan. Hachiman is the Kami of the shrine, the deity of the Samurai and right this moment sometimes called the god of battle or warriors.

Kamakura was a major seat of feudal energy right now, in 1250 AD Kamakura was the 4th largest metropolis on this planet and this shrine was a vital a part of its tradition and success.

The shrine has a formidable scale in step with its significance in Japanese historical past. Along with the everyday shrine buildings, there are superbly landscaped relaxation areas, a restaurant and a museum set across the ponds. You’ll usually spot one thing occurring right here from Shinto weddings within the Maiden to festivals and archery competitions.

As with nearly all shrines round Japan entry to the primary grounds is free.

Learn extra: Planning your go to to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Komachi Dori

After exploring the shrine head again in the direction of the station. Don’t reverse the sooner path down the Dankazura however as a substitute stroll one avenue over and discover Komachi Dori. This can be a unbelievable consuming and procuring avenue with heaps to see and take a look at.

You wish to take a stroll down right here and cease at no matter catches your eye. We do have a few ideas although to get you began as a result of we’re all about attempting the native favourites.

• Shirasu or whitebait is an area delicacy on this coastal city. Attempt it at most of the small cafes and eating places or as a avenue meals snack made into croquettes or on a stick.
• Kamakura Chacha is the cease for high quality matcha treats. They’re standard for soft-serve matcha ice cream however have an excellent number of inexperienced tea sweets and treats on supply.
• Tomoya sells a wide range of sweets however is greatest identified for its Daibutsu-yaki, a stuffed pancake much like a Taiyaki however these are pressed right into a cake within the form of a Daibutsu head with a candy or savoury filling. Should you like your yaki in a extra refined type then Arbre Noir Yakumi is the place to go together with their stamped inexperienced tea pancake enclosing a nutty sesame paste, so good.
• Croquettes are all the time a well-liked snack in Japan fried with crispy panko crumb on the surface. Menchi katsu with a meat filling are standard however I normally favor the potato or specialty alternate options just like the crab cream.
• For the Ghibli followers, on the finish of Komachi Dori closest to the station is an lovely Ghibli store with all kinds of themed gear however the general styling of the shop is a should for followers of the studio.

Hasedera

Again on the station, there are two choices to get to the subsequent points of interest, you possibly can both head to the Enoden station on the far aspect and catch the electrical railway to Hase station or stroll the roughly 2km which is able to take round half-hour. The fare for the practice is Y200 however it’s included if in case you have the Odakyu freepass. From Hase station to Hasedera Temple is barely 300 metres.

Hasedera is likely one of the first temples we visited in Japan again in 2010 and it grew to become a agency favorite, one of many few I’ll revisit each time we’re within the space.

It’s a massive complicated with a wide range of issues to see so permit sufficient time to have a superb go searching. It’s set on the aspect of a mountain referred to as Kannon-zan and its buildings and gardens are set on the totally different ranges and slopes. A wide range of flowers are planted all through the gardens and all months of the yr will see no less than a pair take the highlight. There are additionally fabulous views from the upper stage out to the city and bay.

Hasedera Temple was established in 736 AD to enshrine a wood carving of Kannon. The carving is housed within the Kannon-do corridor and is a 9.18 metre tall statue referred to as the 11-headed Kannon, the goddess of Mercy (or Avalokiteśvara in Tibetan Buddhism). The 11 smaller heads are positioned like a crown across the head and characterize the levels of enlightenment.

Admission to the temple prices Y400.

Benten-Kutsu Cave

The Benten-Kutsu cave is positioned throughout the temple grounds on the decrease stage to the far proper of the place you enter. Stroll previous the pond and the doorway to the cave will probably be in your left marked with a Torii gate.

Benzaiten, whom the caves are named for, is each a Buddhist Bodhisattva and a Shinto deity. In Buddhism, she seems within the Lotus Sutra and is commonly depicted holding a conventional Japanese lute or mandolin.  Within the conventional Japanese Shinto religion she is the deity of every little thing that flows; phrases, music, water and by extension information.

The caves are additionally vital as it’s believed that Kōbō Daishi spent a while in seclusion there within the ninth century when he carved the small Benzaiten statue that’s displayed within the Benten-do Corridor that you simply cross simply earlier than you come to the cave entrance.

Kōbō Daishi was a Japanese Buddhist monk born within the eighth century who had a major function within the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. He was additionally the founding father of the Shingon college of Buddhism. You’ll discover many spots round Japan with a connection to him similar to Mt Misen on Miyajima Island and the Golden Pavillion in Kyoto.

Learn extra: Extra data on the Benten-Kutsu cave

The Nice Buddha and Kotoku-in

The ultimate cease on our at some point itinerary for Kamakura is the Nice Buddha statue which is at Kotoku-in temple. It’s a 10 minute stroll (750 metres) from Hasedera to Kotoku-in temple. There’s a footpath, good English signage and normally a gradual movement of foot visitors between the 2. T

This bronze Buddha statue is the third largest in Japan, the largest is at Mt Nokogiri in Chiba Prefecture and the second largest at Todaiji in Nara. This one is especially fascinating as you possibly can go contained in the Buddha seeing the way it has been constructed and bolstered through the years because it was initially solid in 1252.

Winding up your day journey in Kamakura

If you’re prepared to move again to Tokyo I’d counsel utilizing the Enoden Railway once more from Hase again to Kamakura however you possibly can stroll the 2km for those who favor. There are many cafes, eateries, outlets and snack distributors within the streets across the practice station if you wish to loosen up earlier than heading again.

Alternatively from Hase station, you possibly can proceed alongside the coast in the direction of Enoshima and discover there or take an fascinating route residence utilizing the hanging monorail to Ofuna then decide up the practice to Tokyo.

An alternative choice is to stroll all the way down to Yuigahama Seaside as it is just about 300 metres from Hase Station. From right here you possibly can get pleasure from a stroll on the sand or a drink overlooking the ocean.

If you wish to lengthen the locations you discover in north and central Kamakura, you would add the well-known Zen temple, Kenchoji, the bamboo gardens at Horokuji or Zeniarai Benten Shrine the place guests wash their cash within the spring. You’ll add any of those after Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine and earlier than heading out to Hase.