Best of Kamakura - a Spiritual and Traditional Day Trip

Kamakura is a great day trip from Tokyo, located about 1. 5h from the capital city center by train. Kamakura is the place where the first shogunate (bafuku) was born in Japan, it has a long history and it's a very traditionally looking city, with many old wooden buildings, retro stores, major temples and shrines. Kamakura can be described as the 'Kyoto of Eastern Japan', so I especially recommend this tour for those who plan on visiting only Tokyo and its surroundings, and don't get to see Kyoto or other traditional cities However, even if you've been to Kyoto and feel like experiencing a little more traditional places, it's still a nice trip. In June, Kamakura transforms into hydrangeas heaven and this is a must visit for everyone traveling during this season. *Weekends are busy with many locals visiting, and some cafes are closed, so I recommend booking this tour on a weekday if possible.

We will meet at Kamakura Station. Walk on Komachi-dori (old shopping street) Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (major shrine with red buildings) OR Hokokuji Temple (small temple with a nice looking bamboo road) We will have a traditional buddhist cuisine lunch set (shojin ryori, which is vegetarian) Ride Enoden local train (or 30 min nature walk) and visit the Great Buddha, Hase Dera Temple which includes several big buddhist statue, a cave and a little Japanese garden. We will take a break to relax at a cafe, and try some matcha green tea or some traditional sweets We will check out the beach if the weather is good. We might spot Mt Fuji. The tour ends here, I can help you find your way back to the hotel, or, optionally, you can go to a hot spring in the area, and watch the sunset from the beach.