K-5: Kamakura Stroll

(Tour duration: 4～5 hours, Admission fees: 300yen)
Kamakura is crowded with tourists, but once step in an alley, there is characteristic Japanese space and time where overlapping the old days. Explore Kamakura by visiting temples, back alleys and beach with a cup of coffee at unique local cafes.

This tour starts from KAMAKURA Station.

1)The Great Buddha

Located in Kotoku-in Temple, the Great Buddha, a National Treasure and a Symbol of Kamakura, was cast in bronze in the middle of the 13th century. (Admission fee: 300yen)

2) Goryojinja Shrine

Goryo Jinja has a well-known legend about samurai spirit and is famous for the festival, the wearing-mask procession. It is also one of the best places to take pictures of the hydrangea with the local train, Enoden, which passes through the shrine precincts.

3) Alley Stroll-1

Once step in a narrow back alley, local small cafes & restaurants set in Japanese houses are to be found for your pleasant rambling.
Local railway laid just in front of a house, where residents have to cross, creates a unique townscape

4) Yuigahama walking

Yuigahama beach was the gateway to the sea at Kamakura period. Nowadays, this venerable beach with samurai history is popular for swimming, walking and other beach activities.

5) Alley Stroll-2

Narrow alleys adorned with various house fences and hedges on both sides are the place for one’s daily tranquil life in Kamakura.
Local Japanese-style café entrance faces railway running at every 12 minutes. One has to judge when to access the gate.

6) Yakumojinja Shrine

Yakumojinja shrine is the oldest “Evil-Protection” shrine in Kamakura, founded in the 11th century.
The red flags in the shrine precinct were believed to have the power to exorcise evil spirit

7) Gionyama Lookout

You’ll be delighted with the nice views of Kamakura town and Yuigahama beach from Gionyama observation platform. If it is clear fine day, you may be able to enjoy beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji.

8)Myohonji Temple/ Nitenmon gate

Myohonji Temple is one of the largest wooden structures in Kamakura as well as the oldest temple building of Nichiren Buddhism.
The wonderful dragon carvings are on Nitenmon Gate. When you clap your hands in front of the gate, the echoes sound like a dragon is barking.

OPTIONAL VISIT

Kokemusubi-Braid moss (Kokemusubi)
At the end of Kamakura alley, there is a small atelier where we can find many original works of beautiful braid mosses and terrariums.

Kokedama-Moss ball
There are some shops in Kamakura where we can find moss balls.
Moss ball is a kind of Bonsai-potted plant. The base is a soil or a bog moss ball covered with moss, and with some houseplant planted into the ball as a center point

The above route does not necessarily show an actual tour route. Public transportation is used for the way to the Great Buddha. The return is to be on foot.