Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo
Kamakura Day Trip FAQ
Kamakura is a small coastal city located southwest of Tokyo. It serves as the filming location and setting for many movies and TV dramas.
Q. How long should I spend in Kamakura?
Depending on your interests, a half-day or full-day trip is sufficient.
Q. How to travel from Tokyo to Kamakura?
There are several routes, but the following is the most interesting:
- Take the JR train from
ShinjukutoOfuna, 52 minutes, 950 yen. - Transfer to the Shonan Monorail from
OfunatoShonan Enoshima, 14 minutes, 320 yen. - Use the Enoden train to explore the Kamakura area.
- Take the JR train from
Kamakuraback toShinjuku, direct, 60 minutes, 950 yen. Note: You can use a Suica card for all transportation, so there’s no need to buy a day pass or other tickets.
A Roller Coaster Ride in Kamakura with The Suspended Shonan Monorail
Enoden train:
by Tsukada Kazuhiro | Roméo A.
Kamakura Map and One-Day Itinerary Example
- Depart from Shinjuku and arrive at Shonan Enoshima Station after about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Walk to Enoshima, explore and have lunch (2-3 hours).
- Take the Enoden train to Shichirigahama Beach (15 minutes).
- Take the Enoden train to Hase Station, visit Hasedera Temple and the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
- Take the Enoden train to Kamakura Station, dine/shop on Komachi Street, and visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
- Return to Shinjuku.
Kamakura Attractions
1. Enoshima
Enoshima is a 4-kilometer circumference, 60-meter-high land-tied island. It is designated as a historic site and scenic beauty by Kanagawa Prefecture and is one of Japan’s top 100 scenic spots.
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Things to do:
- Walk across the Enoshima Benten Bridge to the island and explore Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street.
- At the end of Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street, you will find Enoshima Shrine and the Enoshima Escalators (it is recommended to purchase a combined ticket for the Enoshima Escalators and Enoshima Sea Candle here. The cost is 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for children).
- Enjoy the view from the top of the Enoshima Sea Candle.
- If it’s mealtime, you can continue to Enoshima Uomi-tei, a seaside restaurant.
- Afterward, you can return the same way, or continue exploring the southwestern corner of the island at Chigogafuchi Abyss, then take a 400-yen boat ride (Bentenmaru) back to Enoshima Benten Bridge.
Website: Official Travel Website of Enoshima
Transportation: Take the Enoden train and get off at Enoshima Station, or take the Shonan Monorail and get off at Shonan Enoshima Station. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk to the island.
Selected Video: 日本百景のひとつ「江ノ島の裏側」
Selected Video: Kamakura Enoshima Day Trip from Tokyo
Selected Photo:
by Roméo A. | あま あわれ | HONG FENG
2. Shichirigahama Beach
Shichirigahama is the most famous beach in Kamakura, featured in various anime and Japanese dramas. Although the sand is somewhat black and the water isn’t very blue, on particularly clear days, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Fuji from here.
Duration: 15 minutes
Transportation: Take the Enoden train and get off at Shichirigahama Station
Selected Photo:
by note thanun
3. Hasedera Temple
The temple is built on a hillside, offering distant views of the Shonan coastline. In June, you can also enjoy the hydrangeas (there are many visitors, so be sure to go early! In addition to the entrance fee, there is a separate charge of 500 yen to see the flowers).
Opening hours: April to June: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; July to March: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Admission: Adults 400 yen, Children 200 yen
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Website: Official Website of Hasedera Temple
Transportation: Take the Enoden train and get off at Hase Station. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk.
Selected Video: Hydrangea Path in Full Bloom 2024
Selected Photo:
by AXP Photography | Alessandro Stech
4. Kamakura Daibutsu
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is located at Kotoku-in Temple. Made of bronze, it stands 11.3 meters tall and weighs about 121 tons. It is the second-largest Buddha statue in Japan, second only to the one at Todai-ji in Nara.
Opening hours: April to September: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm; October to March: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: Adults 300 yen, Children 150 yen
Duration: 15 minutes
Website: Official Website of Kotoku-in Temple
Transportation: Take the Enoden train and get off at Hase Station. From there, it’s a 7-minute walk
Selected Photo:
by Yekaterina Golatkina | Griffin Quinn | AXP Photography
5. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a traditional Japanese shrine. Although it is not very large and might not be a must-see, the nearby Komachi Street, located between the JR station and the shrine, is perfect for dining and shopping for souvenirs.
Opening hours: 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
Admission: Free
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Website: Official Website of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Transportation: Take the JR or Enoden train and get off at Kamakura Station. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk
Selected Video: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Selected Photo:
by Tsukada Kazuhiro | Yu Kato
Kamakura Seasonal Attractions
6. Meigetsu-in Temple
Meigetsu-in is one of Japan’s three famous hydrangea spots, established in 1160. The best time to visit is in June when around 2,500 hydrangea plants are in full bloom. Unlike Hase-dera, Meigetsu-in only features blue hydrangeas, but they are more numerous and densely packed, making it a great spot for photography. June can be quite crowded, so it’s recommended to arrive early in the morning.
Opening hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Admission: 500 yen
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Website: Official Website of Meigetsu-in Temple
Transportation: Take the JR train and get off at Kita-Kamakura Station. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk
Selected Video: Visiting Meigetsu-in Temple at Kamakura
Selected Photo:
by Atul Vinayak | Weiqi Xiong | Kalyan Mukherjee
Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful journey!
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