Nestled by the Pacific coast and less than an hour away from Tokyo and Yokohama, Kamakura is an easily accessible city with an array of historical temples and shrines so impressive it has earned the nickname ‘Kyoto of the East’. Once the political capital of Japan under the Minamoto shogunate from 1185 to 1333, attracting many important religious sects, today, Kamakura is a small city with beautiful beaches, good bars and restaurants, and a sense of history that encapsulates the reason so many want to visit Japan in the first place.
What to Do in Kamakura
Shrines and Temples
Kamakura is of course famous for its 19 shrines and 65 temples, but if you’re only there for a little while, you’ll likely only have time for a handful. That being said, it’s easy enough to fit all of the city’s best shrines and temples into a day trip.
To begin with, Kōtoku-in Temple is unmissable. Home to the Great Buddha at Kamakura, this impressive bronze structure was built in 1252 and housed in a surrounding temple. However, this surrounding building was destroyed through a series of tsunamis and it has been sat in the open air since the 15th century. Keep an eye out for its sandals.
Great Buddha at Kamakura
Another one of our favourites is the Hase-dera temple complex, home to the famous ten metre tall Hase-dera kannon, the Benzaiten grotto filled with statues to Japanese gods, and hundreds of small Jizo statues dedicated to children lost through miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. It provides a fascinating insight into Japanese culture and religion, not to mention fantastic views over the city and sea below.
The Hōkoku-ji Temple is also another great place to visit, commonly known as the Bamboo Temple. Famous for its bamboo grove, this 14th century temple also features caves holding the ashes of its former patrons as well as a teahouse to take in traditional Japanese green tea and enjoy the sound of the bamboo. Other temples worth visiting include Kenchō-ji, the oldest Zen-training temple in Japan built in 1253 (keep an eye out for an impressive dragon painted on the ceiling of its main hall), Engaku-ji, built in 1282 to commemorate those lost in defending Japan against the second Mongolian invasion, and Meigetsu-in, famous for its beautiful gardens.
Hase-dera
Finally, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū is Kamakura’s most important Shinto shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of war. Situated in the heart of the city, and having done so since 1063, it bisects Kamakura with an impressive 1.8 km approach leading through large torii gates. Keep an eye out for two ponds in front of the shrine complex, before the large stair case. In one there are three islands, representing the Minamoto clan, in the other there are four, representing their rivals the Taira clan as four in Japanese is synonymous with the word for death. Zeniarai Benten Shrine is also worth a visit to see the custom of people washing their money so that it will multiply.
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
Waterfront and Beaches
Of course, considering Kamakura’s location it’s no surprise that a major part of its draw is its beaches and waterfront. This is a great place to sit and relax and take in the sun and sea. Also consider taking a ride on the retro Enoden train along the waterfront, which is a charming way to get around and explore its beaches. If you want a good meal with a view, we strongly recommend Bills and their famous pancakes. Situated right on the seafront a little way out of the centre, this is a popular Australian restaurant and while the food may not be Japanese, it is great quality and the view is unbeatable.
Bills in Kamakura
Getting There and Getting Around
Kamakura is very easily accessible using frequent trains from Tokyo and Yokohama. Part of Kamakura’s charm is walking around its streets and stopping to pop inside its boutiques, try one of its famous Kamakura beers or eating at some of its small restaurants. Some temples, notably Hōkoku-ji Temple, are quite some way out of the way and are difficult to walk to, so you may need a bus, which can get crowded.
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