Hi! It’s Eiryu, the developer of JapanNow.
On June 10, 2025,
I went to Kamakura & Enoshima area in Kanagawa Prefecture from Kobe for one-day trip.
Originally, Kamakura was the seat of Japan’s government before it moved to Edo (present-day Tokyo). That era is called the Kamakura period (1185–1333), when the Minamoto clan ruled the country as the shogun (the top samurai).
The Kamakura shogunate came to an end in 1333 when the shogun had gradually lost popular support after years of political infighting and financial strain—particularly following the costly defense against the Mongol invasions.
Today, this region still preserves the rich heritage known as “Kamakura culture,” and you can see original architectural structures and works of art from the Kamakura period.
The night before, at 9:00 PM, I boarded an overnight bus in Kobe. After about nine hours, it pulled into Yokohama Station at 6:00 AM. The fare was an astonishing ¥2,000—almost ten times cheaper than the Shinkansen—but it does take a toll on your energy.
It’s perfect for backpackers on a budget. You can book through international websites, but using a Japanese bus reservation site (for example, https://www.bushikaku.net/) often yields the best deals.
From Yokohama Station, you can reach Kamakura on the JR Line. Take the train from platform 3 to Ōfuna Station, then transfer to the Kamakura-bound train on platforms 7 or 8. The journey takes roughly 45 minutes from Yokohama to Kamakura.
My first destination was Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, about a 15-minute walk east from Kamakura Station. Along the way, Komachi-street is lined with food stalls for snacking and shops selling quintessentially Japanese souvenirs—wind chimes, geta sandals, and more.
As I wandered past these charming storefronts, the grand torii gate of Tsurugaoka Hachimangū suddenly came into view.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū was the heart of the Kamakura shogunate, founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo. His grave lies nearby. I was blown away by the shrine’s appearance—it looked very different from the shrines I’ve seen in Kyoto and elsewhere. The vivid red and lavish decorations made it stand out. In particular, the main hall atop the stone steps ranks among the top three shrines I’ve ever visited.
For ¥400, you can enter the Treasure Hall on the right to see designated Important Cultural Properties—Buddhist statues and paintings from the Kamakura era. If you love Asian art, don’t miss it. (Some statues are ok to photograph, but since I can’t share them here, you’ll have to see them for yourself!)
Next, I walked about ten minutes to Myōhon-ji Temple. In contrast to the Tsurugaoka shrine, here you find grand Buddhist architecture.
On a rainy day, the solemn atmosphere and the hydrangeas blooming throughout the grounds created an especially evocative scene. These flowers are native to Japan and change color depending on soil pH. Watching raindrops trace down their petals was breathtaking.
The komainu—guardian lion-dog statues seamlessly integrated into the pillars of the main hall were amazing.
After visiting this temple, I boarded the bus from the bus stop No.4 in front of Kamakura station.
This is in order to visit Jōmyō-temple and Hōkoku-temple, which recommended by the tourist information center in Kamakura station.
Honestly, Jōmyō-ji wasn’t much to write home about; there wasn’t much to see, so you could skip it if you’re short on time.
But immediately afterward I arrived at Hōkoku-ji—and it was fantastic! For ¥400 you can enter its famous bamboo grove; it was one of the highlights of my Kamakura trip, even better than the bamboo forest I saw in Kyoto.
By paying ¥600 at the entrance and you can savor delicious wagashi and matcha while surrounded by towering bamboo—it doesn’t get any more perfect!
After that serene experience, I took the bus back to Kamakura Station for lunch at Kagari, a Michelin-listed ramen shop just steps away. This ramen restaurant is located in Komachi-street.
I chose the chicken-and-porcini tsukemen (dip noodle).
Look this!—I’d never seen noodles look so beautiful! The first bite bursts with rich chicken broth and the toasty aroma of porcini. The seasonal vegetables on the side were cooked to perfection. The interior is stylish, and there’s an English menu, so you don’t have to worry.
Tsukemen uses thicker noodles than ramen, giving them a wonderful springy texture and a silky, satisfying mouthfeel—likely thanks to the salt water used in the dough. The soup for dip is richer and more creamy than ramen. It’s as popular in Japan as ramen, especially in hot season. You’ll find Tsukemen all over the country, so give it a try on your next trip!
After lunch, I caught the bus at stop 1 or 6 and ride about 15 minutes for the crown jewel of Kamakura: the Great Buddha statue at Kōtoku-in.
The statue itself dates back to 1252 and measures about 13.35 meters in height (including its lotus base), making it Japan’s second-tallest Buddha figure in bronze.
It was my first visit, and I super super recommend visiting this statue!! The statue itself has big tall and intense. Moreover, its detail craftsmanship makes it perfect appearance from any angle. I knew Kamakura-period art was amazing, but this statue feels like its crowning achievement.
At Hase-temple, just near from this temple, you can wander through beautiful hydrangea gardens and gaze out over the Shōnan coast—especially stunning during rainy season (mid- to late June).
After those two temples, I hopped on the Enoshima Electric Railway from Hase Station, heading toward the SLAM DUNK–famous railroad crossing in front of Enoshima High School. this spot is much popular, especially for people from China. The view of the sea stretching out before you never fails to impress.
Though I skipped it this time, on clear days you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji from Inamuragasaki beach along the railroad.
From Enoshima high school, I walked to Enoshima-Island while watching the ocean. Since there weren’t many remarkable spots in the island, I directly back to Kamakura station. There are few visitors in the isaland, and I think you don’t need to go her unless you love surfing. On the way to Enoshima station, I discovered a yōkan shop and bought a unique seaweed-infused sweet as a souvenir.
Finally, I explored the North Kamakura area, but Engaku-ji—its flagship temple—closes at 4:00 PM, so I couldn’t go inside. Walking around, I found the atmosphere here much quieter and more laid-back. If you want a deeper side of Kamakura, it’s well worth a visit.
That wraps up my Kamakura report! I walked over 15 kilometers and my feet were tired 🙂
What struck me most was that Kamakura lets you experience authentic Japanese culture without feeling over-commercialized. It’s close enough to Tokyo that it doesn’t attract huge crowds, so you can have a truly meaningful trip.
Even in the rainy weather, Kamakura’s scenery takes on an almost poetic beauty.
Kamakura is brimming with shrines and temples—you might not know which to choose! I zipped between them in one day for this report, but it’s exhausting.
So here’s my top-three list—just hit these, and you’ll have a fantastic time:
1. The Great Buddha (Kōtoku-in)
2. Hōkoku-temple (especially its bamboo forest)
3. Tsurugaoka Hachimangū
And if you happen to be here on July 18, 2025, there’s a massive fireworks festival on the beach—one of Japan’s biggest festival!
For more Kanagawa prefeture discoveries, check out JapanNow!
Chao!
