Stand at the top of the wide approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangū on a spring morning and you can watch a wedding procession cross the plaza while a Shinto priest waits at the main shrine. A few minutes' walk away, the same city offers a hillside temple where visitors wash coins in a cave, and a bronze Amida figure that has sat outdoors since a tsunami carried away its hall.
Kamakura suits travellers who are happy to move between temples and shrines on foot, by train and by bus, and who do not mind sharing the best-known sights with crowds. The historic core is compact, but the sights are scattered, and the eastern temples in particular sit off the usual tourist route.
This guide covers the specific sights named in the source material, ordered from the ones most visitors should not skip to the quieter corners, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Kamakura
1. Kōtokuin
Kōtokuin is home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a bronze statue of Amida. It is thought to have been cast in 1252 and was originally housed in a giant temple hall that was washed away in a tsunami, which is why the figure now sits in the open.
You can also visit the inside of the statue for an additional fee, though entry is limited to one minute because of the risk of heatstroke. Opening hours are 08:00–17:30 from April to September and 08:00–17:00 from October to March; entrance to the temple is ¥300 and entrance to the inside of the statue is ¥50.
2. Hasedera
Hasedera, also called "Hase Kannon", is home to the largest wooden statue in Japan, representing the Buddhist deity Kannon. A grotto on the grounds, described as interesting if somewhat claustrophobic, is filled with statues of Benzaiten.
Entry is ¥300, with an additional ¥300 for the museum. Because it sits in western Kamakura near the Enoden Hase station, it combines naturally with Kōtokuin, and most visitors stop at Hase Kannon on the way to the Great Buddha.
3. Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū is the largest Shinto shrine in an otherwise almost solidly Buddhist Kamakura, built by Yoritomo Minamoto, founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. It sits just a bit north of the station and draws a million visitors on New Year's Day to see the first sunrise of the year, when Japan Rail runs trains all night long.
If you are lucky you may see a traditional wedding in the plaza in front of the main shrine. The Ritual Dance Stage is the spot where Yoritomo forced the hunted Yoshitsune's Lady Shizuka to perform a dance for him, an event commemorated during the Kamakura Festival in April, and twice each year, in spring and fall, you can watch demonstrations of Yabusame, archery from galloping horseback in full samurai regalia. Note that a large portion of the site is not wheelchair accessible.
4. Kenchōji
Kenchōji is the first of Kamakura's Five Zen Temples and the oldest Zen training monastery in Kamakura, built in 1253. Its temple bell is designated a National Treasure, and the grounds also feature a prized Zen garden.
It lies in North Kamakura, so pair it with Engakuji and the other Kita-Kamakura temples rather than trying to reach it between the Hase sights.
5. Engakuji
Engakuji is ranked second among Kamakura's Five Zen Temples and was founded in 1282 to commemorate soldiers who fell fighting the Mongol invasion the previous year. The Shariden on the temple grounds houses a holy relic reputed to be a tooth of the Buddha.
Atop a nearby hill is the bell tower and the tea house famous for its tokoroten, sweet cold noodles that many overseas visitors find salty and slimy, an acquired taste. It is a short walk from Kita-Kamakura Station, making it an easy companion to Kenchōji and Tōkeiji.
6. Meigetsuin
Meigetsuin is nicknamed the "Hydrangea Temple" because the surrounding grounds are amply planted with the flowers. It is also renowned for the grave of Hojo Tokiyori, approached by a tunnel described as the largest of its type in Japan.
It is a 10-minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station and open 09:00–16:00, with an entry fee of ¥300. Come for the hydrangeas in season, and combine it with the other North Kamakura temples on the same walk.
7. Zeniarai Benten Shrine
Zeniarai Benten is an atmospheric shrine in the hills dedicated to the deity Benzaiten, popularly named after its most common activity: according to legend, any money washed in the cave here will be doubled. You can also purchase o-mamori protective charms and have a kannushi strike sparks from a flint over one to increase its power.
It is about a kilometer from Kamakura station, and as there is no direct bus service, those in a hurry should take a taxi; otherwise the undemanding 20-minute stroll gives pleasant views of residential areas with quiet gardens. The shrine itself is reached via a long but well-illuminated tunnel bored through the rock, and the hill above, Genjiyama, has a park with excellent views over the city and is a popular place for cherry blossoms in early spring. From here you can reach the hiking trail running from Tokeiji to the Kōtokuin.
8. Tōkeiji
Tōkeiji was established as a nunnery and was famous during the feudal era for sheltering abused women fleeing their families, earning it the nickname "Kakekomidera", the fugitive temple. Those who remained at the temple for three years could then obtain a divorce.
Its large atmospheric graveyard and blooming ume, Japanese plum, are also major attractions. It sits in North Kamakura and links to the hiking trail toward the Kōtokuin.
9. Hōkokuji
Hōkokuji is notable for its lovely bamboo grove. Tour agencies have added it onto their itineraries, so if you are looking for tranquility, arrive in the first hour of opening or towards closing.
Entry is ¥600, with matcha an additional ¥400. It lies in East Kamakura, where the temples are off the beaten tourist track and worth the visit for that reason.
10. Sugimotodera
Sugimotodera is the oldest temple in Kamakura, founded in 734, and contains an eleven-faced statue of Kannon. Access is via the newer stone stairway to the left of the original steps.
The summit is closed as of April 2025, limiting views to surrounding rooftops. Entry is ¥300 for adults, ¥200 for junior high school students and ¥100 for elementary school students. It is in East Kamakura, where you can reach the temples on foot but it is probably wiser to take a bus, as there is still a fair bit of climbing just to get around.
11. Shakado Kiritoshi
Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the ocean on the fourth, so the town was easily defended in times of unrest, but the geography also left it cut off from neighbouring valleys. A network of narrow roads was cut through the mountains, providing connections while keeping the site defensible, and the Shakado Kiritoshi pass is one of the roads cut through solid rock.
It remains impressive even by today's standards. It has been impassable since 2010 due to a large rockslide, so treat it as a sight to look at rather than a route through. It is a 15-minute walk from Sugimotodera.
12. Jōmyōji
Jōmyōji is not visited often by foreign tourists. A sample tea ceremony in the gardens is available with a cup of matcha tea, though the tea hall hours are inconsistent.
It is generally open 10:00–16:00 and closed Mondays. Admittance is ¥100, or ¥600 for the matcha tea sample ceremony. It sits in East Kamakura, so combine it with Sugimotodera and Hōkokuji.
13. Myohonji Temple
Myohonji's cemetery contains the grave of the creator of Ultraman, a popular 1960s TV show. Fans who visit the grave place toy Ultraman action figures on it.
It is in Central Kamakura, which makes it an easy addition to a day built around Tsurugaoka Hachimangū.
14. Kamakura Museum of History and Culture
This local history museum covers the history of Kamakura. The modern exhibits are complemented by English-speaking volunteer docents, and admission includes access to the ruins of a mostly forgotten cliffside Shinto shrine, now used as a scenic lookout point.
Admission is ¥400 for adults. It is a reasonable choice for a rainy stretch or a slower afternoon.
15. Kamakurakōkōmae Station
Fans of Japanese anime, TV shows and movies will instantly recognize the surroundings of this station, as the location is frequently featured. The railway crossing on the east side of the station is prominently featured in the theme song of the Slam Dunk anime.
It is in western Kamakura, so it fits naturally into a day that already includes Kōtokuin and Hasedera.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, a short walk north of Kamakura station, and look for a traditional wedding in the plaza in front of the main shrine. Then take the train to Hase and visit Hasedera, the "Hase Kannon" temple with the largest wooden statue in Japan, before walking on to Kōtokuin to see the Great Buddha.
Afternoon. Head to Kita-Kamakura for the Zen temples: Kenchōji, the oldest Zen training monastery in Kamakura, and Engakuji, with its Shariden and the hillside tea house known for tokoroten. If time allows, add Meigetsuin, a 10-minute walk from JR Kita-Kamakura Station, or Tōkeiji with its graveyard and plum blossoms.
Evening. Return toward Kamakura station and make the 20-minute stroll to Zeniarai Benten Shrine, where you can wash coins in the cave. If you still have light and energy, climb the hill above to the Genjiyama park for views over the city.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the hydrangeas at Meigetsuin?
The temple is nicknamed the "Hydrangea Temple" because its grounds are amply planted with the flowers, so plan your visit for hydrangea season. It is open 09:00–16:00 and entry is ¥300.
Can I visit the inside of the Great Buddha at Kōtokuin?
Yes, for an additional fee of ¥50 on top of the ¥300 temple entrance. Entry is limited to one minute because of the risk of heatstroke.
How do I reach the East Kamakura temples?
You can reach them on foot, but it is probably wiser to take a bus, as there is still a fair bit of climbing just to get around the temples. They lie off the beaten tourist track, which is part of why they are worth the visit.
Is Shakado Kiritoshi passable?
No. The pass has been impassable since 2010 due to a large rockslide, so it is a sight to view rather than a route to walk through.
Decide which of these sights matter most to you, check the hours and fees noted above, and start mapping your days around Kamakura station and the Enoden and JR lines.