. Kamakura City is a quiet historic city with many religious structures and not far from Tokyo, so there are many visitors at any time of the year. It was where the capital of the first shogunate, the government ruled by samurai warriors, was established in 1192. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the forth side faces the Pacific Ocean, so it was easy to protect from enemy attacks.
One of the must-visit spot is the huge bronze statue of the Great Buddha sitting in the open air.
Dankazura is a raised lane to the shrine with cherry trees lined. Surrounded by mountains, rainfalls used to bring about mudslides here.
Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-gu Shrine is the guardian shrine of the Kamakura Shogunate, which is bustling with visitors during New Year holidays and cherry-blossom season.
Komachidori is the other street to the shrine. Relatively high-class souvenir shops and restaurants line up on both sides of the street
Hokokuji Temple is one of the Zen temples but is famous as Bamboo Temple. If you stand alone in this bamboo grove, you must feel refreshed and get energy.
Some famous poetess said the Great Buddh of Kamakura is handsome. But even a young girl can wrap him around her little finger.
Hasedera Temple with eleven-headed Kannnon was allegedly constructed in 736. It is called the Western Paradise of the Pure Land with a lot of flowers throughout the year.
Time |
Dep./Arr. |
Place |
Comments |
9:16 |
Departure |
from Tokyo Station |
JR Tokaido Line |
10:08 |
Arrival |
at Kamakura Station |
|
10:10 |
Departure |
from Kamakura Station |
walk through Dankazura lane |
10:35 |
Arrival |
at Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-gu Shrine |
guardian shrine of Genji clan |
11:30 |
Departure |
from Tsurugaoka-Hachiman-gu |
walk through Komachidori street |
11:40 |
Arrival |
at a restaurant |
lunch |
12:50 |
Departure |
from a restaurant |
by bus |
13:05 |
Arrival |
at Hokokuji Temple |
or bamboo temple |
13:40 |
Departure |
from Hokokuji |
by bus |
13:55 |
Arrival |
at Kamakura sta. |
|
14:00 |
Departure |
from Kamakura sta. |
|
14:15 |
Arrival |
at Kotokuin |
Open-air great Buddha |
15:00 |
Departure |
from Kotokuin |
walk |
15:10 |
Arrival |
at Hasedera |
with a lot of flowers |
15:40 |
Departure |
from hasedera |
walk |
15:50 |
Arrival |
at Hase sta. |
by Enoden Train |
15:53 |
Departure |
from Hase sta. |
|
16:08 |
Departure |
from Kamakura sta. to Tokyo sta. |
JR |
16:59 |
Arrival |
Tokyo sta. |
|
① Kamakura Station ② Dankazura Lane ③ Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine
④ Komachi Dori Street ⑤ Hokokuji Temple ⑥ Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha)
⑦ Hase-dera Temple