{"id":1594,"date":"2017-07-10T05:00:41","date_gmt":"2017-07-10T03:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/?p=1594"},"modified":"2021-04-30T09:23:24","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T07:23:24","slug":"kamakura-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/kamakura-travel-guide","title":{"rendered":"Kamakura with the JR Pass: How to get there and attractions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Often called \u201cthe Kyoto of Eastern Japan\u201d, this charming coastal town is <strong>located about an hour south of Tokyo<\/strong> and is perfect for a relaxing day trip from the capital. Its beaches, historical structures, and monuments make Kamakura a go-to destination year-round.<\/p>\n<p>The area is especially good for viewing cherry blossoms in the spring and colorful foliage in autumn. The <strong>numerous historic temples, such as Kotoku-in<\/strong> and its famous <strong>giant Buddha statue<\/strong>, also make it an ideal location to learn about Japanese religious culture.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\nThis delightful coastal town is located about an hour south of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/getting-around-tokyo-metro\">Tokyo<\/a>, and is often called \u201cthe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/getting-around-kyoto\">Kyoto<\/a> of Eastern Japan\u201d. Its beaches, historical structures, and monuments make Kamakura a go-to destination year round. The area is especially good for viewing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/best-cherry-blossom-spots-in-japan\">cherry blossoms<\/a> in the spring and colorful foliage in autumn.<\/p>\n<p>If using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a> while traveling throughout the country, access to Kamakura from Tokyo is easy and affordable. Consider this informative travel guide when planning your next relaxing getaway.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Tokyo_to_Kamakura\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> Tokyo to Kamakura<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Things_to_do_in_Kamakura\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Things to do in Kamakura<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Kamakura_map\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.1<\/span> Kamakura map<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_Great_Buddha_Kotokuin_Daibutsu\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.2<\/span> The Great Buddha: Kotokuin Daibutsu<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Hiking_beaches_and_other_attractions\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.3<\/span> Hiking, beaches and other attractions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Tokyo_to_Kamakura\">Tokyo to Kamakura<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A visit to nearby Kamakura makes a great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/day-trips-tokyo\">day trip from Tokyo<\/a>. In order to travel from <strong>Tokyo to Kamakura using the JR Pass,<\/strong> you can take the JR Yokosuka Line, which is a direct connection from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station. The trip includes stops at Shinagawa, Yokohama, and Kita-Kamakura stations, and lasts approximately one hour.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Another option is the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, which connects Shinjuku to Kamakura Station.<\/strong> This trip also takes about one hour, with two departures each hour. Some itineraries require a transfer to another train at Ofuna Station, while others are a direct connection to Kamakura.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Non-JR rail options are also available, including Odakyu Railway\u2019s Enoden train.<\/strong> This journey requires an extra thirty minutes, and is not, of course, covered by the JR Pass. Enoden\u2019s streetcar train can be used to get around Kamakura itself.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Things_to_do_in_Kamakura\">Things to do in Kamakura<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most tourist attractions in Kamakura are concentrated around Kamakura Station and Kita-Kamakura Station. This makes for convenient outings on foot or using rental bicycles. In fact, <strong>most locations can be reached on foot in this small town<\/strong>. For more distant excursions or for those with special needs, buses and taxis are also available.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Kamakura_map\">Kamakura map<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1mn0fheZzpKu9vxiqifuTyGZk150&amp;hl=en\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"The_Great_Buddha_Kotokuin_Daibutsu\">The Great Buddha: Kotokuin Daibutsu<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the primary attractions in the little town of Kamakura is the Big Buddha, also known as the Great Buddha or <em>Daibutsu<\/em>. <strong>The Buddha is a large bronze statue of Amida Buddha, cast in the year 1252.<\/strong> At more than 13 meters (42 feet) in height, it is the second largest bronze statue in Japan.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Buddha is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple.<\/strong> The statue once dwelled inside a large temple hall, but the building was repeatedly destroyed by adverse weather, including multiple typhoons and a tidal wave. Since 1495, therefore, the Buddha has guarded the temple in the light of day. During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/japan-cherry-blossom-forecast\">cherry blossom season<\/a>, the statue is girded on one side by a lovely pink-blossomed tree.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Hiking_beaches_and_other_attractions\">Hiking, beaches and other attractions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Numerous other temples dot the landscape around Kamakura. <strong>Kencho-ji templ<\/strong>e, for example, is thought to be the oldest Zen training monastery in the country.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-374\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-374\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kencho-ji-kamakura-e1499421202524.jpg\" alt=\"Kencho-ji at Kamakura\" width=\"800\" height=\"535\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kencho-ji at Kamakura &#8211; Photo by Charles Dunn @ Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Some other temples can be reached by the wooded hiking trails that surround the city on three sides. From the <em>Kotokuin Diabutsu<\/em>, the <strong>Daibutsu Hiking Course<\/strong> connects with other temples, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/best-gardens-japan\">gardens<\/a>, and statues on the western side of the city.<\/p>\n<p>This trail can be completed on foot in one to two hours. Similar hiking trails \u2013 the <strong>Tenen and Gintama Hiking Courses<\/strong> &#8211; in the northern and eastern hills offer visitors a glimpse of <em>yagura<\/em>, or cave tombs, temples, and shrines. These trails are coveted for the up-close viewing of <strong>autumn leaves in December<\/strong>. The shorter of the two trails can be completed in as little as thirty minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, a trip to Kamakura would not be complete without a bit of time at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/best-japanese-beaches\">beach<\/a>. <strong>Well over a kilometer of sand belonging to this coastal town<\/strong> tempts travelers with surfing, swimming, and sunbathing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The best time of year to visit Kamakura\u2019s beaches is during the months of July and August<\/strong>, but they may also be crowded at this time. <strong>The beaches known as Zaimokuza and Yuigahama offer the best facilities<\/strong>, including rental shops, shade huts, showers, changing rooms, and refreshments. The beaches are a twenty-minute walk from the JR Kamakura Station.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever activities you pursue on your day trip to Kamakura, it is sure to be a getaway to remember. However, what will you do upon your return to Tokyo? While planning your next Japanese vacation, be sure to check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/3-days-tokyo-itinerary\">Tokyo travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Often called \u201cthe Kyoto of Eastern Japan\u201d, this charming coastal town is located about an hour south of Tokyo and is perfect for a relaxing day trip from the capital. Its beaches, historical structures, and monuments make Kamakura a go-to destination year-round. The area is especially good for viewing cherry blossoms in the spring and colorful foliage in autumn. The numerous historic temples, such as Kotoku-in and its famous giant Buddha statue, also make it an ideal location to learn about Japanese religious culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":86,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[],"acf":{"related_tours":{"tour_number":false},"bread_1":false,"bread_2":false,"bread_3":false,"bread_4":false,"bread_5":false,"bread_6":false,"bread_7":false,"bread_last":false,"custom_guide":"","pageresume":"Shrines and temples, seasonal festivals, beaches and of course the Great Buddha await in Kamakura. 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