Kamakura tour: Great Buddha, shrines & temples in one day

Temples and shrines, a Buddha you can enter, and a street of local food in one afternoon

A full-day private tour of Kamakura's main temples and shrines with a live English-speaking guide, covering the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hokokuji Temple's bamboo forest, and four other sites. The guide and necessary tour expenses are included. Entrance fees, meals and transportation costs are paid separately by the traveler. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the day involves many stairs and steep terrain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine45m
2. Great Buddha of Kamakura35m

Visit Kamakura's top cultural sites

• Enjoy matcha at Jyomyoji Temple
• Take photos in bamboo forest at Hokokuji Temple
• Explore shops and restaurants on Komachi street
• Visit historic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
• See garden through round window at Meigetsu-in
• Experience the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in
• Walk and explore Hasedera Temple grounds

The Experience

The tour runs 7.5 hours and moves through seven major stops, each one built around a specific piece of Kamakura's samurai-era heritage. You start at Jyomyoji Temple, where you can sit with matcha while looking out over a Japanese garden, then move to Hokokuji Temple to walk through its 2,000 bamboo trees: a photo spot popular enough that people travel across the country for it. Komachi street comes next, a pedestrian lane running from Kamakura Station lined with restaurants and shops selling foods you can't find anywhere else in Japan.

The afternoon centers on two major shrines. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, over 1,000 years old, was the guardian shrine of samurai warriors during the Kamakura era and remains one of the city's most important power spots. Meigetsu-in follows, known for a single large round window framing a garden view and for its hydrangea blooms that draw visitors nationwide. Then comes Kotoku-in, where the Great Buddha sits. An 11-meter bronze statue you can walk inside, experiencing it from both outside and within. The day ends at Hasedera Temple, called the Flower Temple for its seasonal plants. Its large grounds include walking paths, mountain climbs and a cave to explore, plus fortune-telling papers and amulets to take home.

Your guide speaks English throughout and handles the logistics of moving between sites. You'll need to bring cash, as some temples don't accept cards. Wear comfortable shoes. The route involves substantial walking and many stairs. If weather turns bad, the guide may swap sites or routes to keep the experience intact. Spots may also change if a temple closes temporarily on the day you visit.

What’s included

• Private tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• guide expenses covered.
• entrance to all seven temples and shrines (paid separately on the day).

Days and timesDaily · 09:00

AgesAges 18+ · 4 to 17 years — Free · Under 4 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “JR Kamakura Station, in front of East ticket gate　*Please note that this is NOT Kita-kamakura Station.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by OTOMO Travel Guide

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Kamakura Station, so if you're staying in the city or arriving by train from Tokyo, you can reach the meeting point without a car. The fixed 7.5-hour schedule fits the full route into one afternoon, making it practical for a day trip from elsewhere in the region.

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Top questions

Can children come?

4 to 17 years, free; under 4, free.

What is the Great Buddha of Kamakura like when you get there?

The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in stands over 11 meters tall and is cast in bronze. You can walk inside the statue itself, so you experience it both from outside and from within: a perspective most giant statues don't offer.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour covers seven stops across 7.5 hours and involves substantial walking between each site. Many stairs appear throughout the day, especially at the temples and shrines, so comfortable shoes are essential.

What does the tour guide include, and what costs extra?

The private guide in English and guide expenses are included in the booking. You pay separately for entrance fees to each temple and shrine (totaling around 2,650 JPY), meals and drinks (around 1,000 JPY), and any optional experiences like fortune-telling or amulets (around 660 JPY). Transportation between sites is also your cost.

Can I visit Hokokuji Temple's bamboo forest on this tour?

Yes. Hokokuji Temple is one of the seven stops, and its bamboo forest of about 2,000 trees is included. It's a well-known photo spot, so you'll have time to walk through and photograph it.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for a full day of walking and climbing stairs. Bring cash, since some of the temples and shops don't accept credit cards. Sunscreen and water are also practical for a 7.5-hour day outdoors.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

If weather turns poor, your guide may change the transportation method, swap certain destinations for alternative temples, or adjust the route to keep the tour running safely. The core experience remains intact, though some outdoor elements may shift.