Kamakura Walking Tour: Great Buddha & Bamboo Temple Visit

Walk Kamakura at your own pace with a guide who knows when to stop

A private all-day walking tour of Kamakura led by a native English-speaking guide, visiting the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Hokoku-ji Bamboo Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and samurai caves. You set the pace and choose the stops. The guide adjusts the itinerary to match your energy and interests, and you can end whenever you're satisfied.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Great Buddha of Kamakura1h
2. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine1h

Explore Kamakura's temples and streets

• Visit Great Buddha of Kamakura
• See Eleven-headed Kannon statue and gardens
• Explore Bamboo Temple and drink green tea
• Walk along Komachi Street for shopping and food
• Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

The Experience

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine anchors the day: the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura, originally established in 1063 and dedicated to Hachiman, the tutelary god of warriors. You approach via Wakamiya Ōji street under red torii gates, cross a small bridge over a canal joining two ponds, and climb the Great Stone Steps to the main hall, where a panoramic view of the city opens up. The guide shares samurai history and zen philosophy as you move through the town, but the rhythm is yours: stop as long as you want at any site, or move on when you're ready.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura (a 13.35-metre bronze statue cast in the 13th century) sits at Kotoku-in temple. You can enter the interior of the statue for a small fee. Hokoku-ji, known as the Bamboo Temple, holds 2,000 moso bamboo plants. For ¥600 you can sit in a teahouse overlooking the grove and sip authentic matcha green tea while listening to the wind move through the stalks. The tour also includes yagura, man-made caves carved into the hillside, and a stop at Hasedera temple where you'll see a 9.18-metre wooden "Eleven-headed Kannon" statue carved 1,304 years ago, thousand jizo statues standing in rows, and a small cave with a statue of Benzaiten chiseled from the rock. Seasonal flowers (hydrangea in June, moss gardens, bonsai and stone statues) appear throughout the grounds.

The guide is a charismatic native English-speaking Australian local who adjusts the day to keep you from feeling templed out. If you want to hand over the itinerary entirely, they'll lead you to their favourite spots. If you'd rather share your own plan, they'll tailor the walk to match it. The tour runs about six hours including roughly two hours of travel time on foot, train and bus, plus rest and food breaks. Bring approximately 2,000 yen for temple admission fees and transportation. Extra cash for meals, drinks and the matcha tea is also recommended.

What’s included

• Guiding services with a native English-speaking guide.
• access to the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Hokoku-ji Bamboo Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, samurai history sites and yagura caves.
• matcha green tea at the Bamboo Temple teahouse (paid separately at ¥600).

Days and timesWed–Sun

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Your guide will be waiting for you outside the East Exit of Kamakura train station. He will be standing in front of the Kamakura Tourist Information Centre and …”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buddha, Bamboo & Zen

Is this one for you?The tour starts in Kamakura town and moves on foot, train and bus between sites, so you don't need a car or a driver. If you're staying elsewhere in the region or arriving without transport, the guide handles the local transit logistics while you focus on the temples and shrines.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

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

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a 13.35-metre bronze statue cast in the 13th century and housed at Kotoku-in temple. You can pay a small fee (50 yen) to enter the interior of the statue itself. General admission to the temple grounds is 300 yen. Children ages 6–12 pay 150 yen and children under 6 enter free.

Can you really drink matcha tea at the Bamboo Temple?

Yes. Hokoku-ji, called the Bamboo Temple, has a teahouse overlooking a grove of 2,000 moso bamboo plants. For ¥600 you can sit there and sip authentic matcha green tea while you listen to the wind moving through the bamboo.

How does the guide decide what to do each day?

You choose. Share your own itinerary and the guide will tailor the day walk to match it, or hand over the reins and they'll lead you around their favourite spots in Kamakura. Either way, the pace is yours and you can end whenever you're satisfied.

What is Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine?

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura, established in 1063 and dedicated to Hachiman, the tutelary god of warriors. You approach via Wakamiya Ōji street under red torii gates, cross a bridge over a canal, and climb the Great Stone Steps to the main hall, where you get a panoramic view of the city. People make wishes and pray for good fortune here, and you may see a traditional Japanese wedding, dance or music performance at the pavilion called 'Maiden'.

Do you need to pay extra for temples and transportation?

Yes. Temple admission fees (approximately 2,000 yen total) and local train and bus fares are not included and must be paid separately. Bring extra cash for food, drinks, and the matcha tea at the Bamboo Temple.