Experience the Unique Charm of Japan! 10 Must-Visit Kamakura Sightseeing Spots

Known for landscapes where shrines, temples, and nature come together, Kamakura is beautiful any time of year.
A particularly recommended season is June, when you can stroll through temple grounds while admiring hydrangeas.
Since it’s the rainy season, your visit may be in the rain—but walking around temples on a rainy day while enjoying hydrangeas is a wonderful way to soak in the atmosphere of Japan.

From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station in Approx. 1 hour.
From Yokohama, another popular sightseeing destination, it takes Approx. 30 minutes by transferring between the JR Tokaido Line and the JR Yokosuka Line.
Because it’s close enough for a day trip from central Tokyo, it’s also easy to stop by as part of your Tokyo itinerary.

Getting around Kamakura can be part of the fun while you explore.
Make good use of the Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway), loved for its retro look and the mix of nature and streetscapes outside the window, and the Shonan Monorail, a suspended monorail known for its dramatic ups and downs.

Located in the heart of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is beloved as the city’s symbol. As a shrine closely associated with the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, it draws many visitors. The current main hall was built in 1828 and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Meigetsu-in is a temple of the Kenchoji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Its principal image is a seated statue of Sho Kannon Bosatsu.
Often called the “Hydrangea Temple,” it turns blue with Approx. 2,500 hime-ajisai hydrangea bushes at peak bloom in June. The temple’s soft blue blossoms are called “Meigetsu-in Blue.” During the same season, you can also enjoy Japanese irises in the iris garden at the back of the grounds (additional fee).

One of Kamakura’s most popular attractions is Kotoku-in’s principal image, the statue of Amida Nyorai.
Its powerful presence has made it beloved as the “Kamakura Great Buddha.”
It stands Approx. 11.39 m tall and weighs Approx. 121 tons—truly worthy of the name “Great Buddha,” and an awe-inspiring sight.

Hasedera, affectionately known as “Hase Kannon.”
Its principal image is the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bosatsu, Approx. 10 m tall and the largest wooden Buddha statue in Japan.
Flowers throughout the grounds are beautiful in every season, and the hydrangeas that bloom in June are especially spectacular—so much so that they’re considered a local highlight.

A Kamakura temple that earned three stars in the travel guide "Michelin Green Guide Japan" for international visitors.
In 1334, the high-ranking monk Tengan Eko built a hermitage here to train, and the Ashikaga and Uesugi clans were involved in founding the temple.
With a bamboo grove of Approx. 2,000 stalks and a beautifully maintained Japanese garden, the grounds are filled with an enchanting, serene beauty.

The shrine’s origins date to 1185, when Minamoto no Yoritomo—before being appointed Sei-i Taishogun—received an oracle in a dream from Ugafuku, a water deity with a human head and serpent body, telling him that worshipping the spring to the northwest would bring peace to the land.
Later, Hojo Tokiyori washed coins in this spring and prayed for his clan’s prosperity, giving rise to the folk belief of washing money here.

Komyoji is a renowned temple of the Jodo sect and is said to have been founded in 1243. Backed by Hojo Tsunetoki’s devotion, it was established by Nenna Ryōchū.
The main hall, built in 1698, is the largest surviving wooden structure in Kamakura and is designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, while in summer, lotus flowers open in Kishū Garden—an easy, soothing stop.

Many people recognize this as the model for the railroad crossing in the opening of the "Slam Dunk" anime, which created passionate fans not only in Japan but around the world.
When a retro train rolls by with the ocean visible beyond the tracks, it’s hard not to stop for a photo.

Founded in 1253 by Hojo Tokiyori, the 5th regent of the Kamakura shogunate, Kenchoji was Japan’s first dedicated Zen training monastery, established with the Song-dynasty monk Rankei Doryu as founding abbot. It flourished as the top-ranked temple of the Five Mountains of Kamakura and is the head temple of the Kenchoji branch of the Rinzai school, with more than 400 sub-temples. Its official name is Kofukuzan Kencho Kokoku Zenji; “Kofuku” comes from Kofukuro, and the temple name is derived from the era name.

Right by Kita-Kamakura Station, Engakuji is the head temple of the Engakuji branch of the Rinzai school.
It was founded in 1282 by Hojo Tokimune, the 8th regent of the Kamakura shogunate, to spread Zen and to mourn those who died in the Mongol invasions.
It is an historic temple that was generously protected by the Hojo clan throughout the Kamakura period.

A cafe located just a short walk from Inamuragasaki Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway.
Set in a renovated traditional house along the Enoden tracks, the terrace seats put you right in front of the passing Enoden train. The cafe opens from 7:00 am, making it a great choice for breakfast, lunch, or a coffee break.
The signature dish is the “Himono Set Meal,” featuring expertly selected dried fish from around Japan.
You can choose from horse mackerel, mackerel, barracuda, splendid alfonsino, and more, served with a daily small side dish and miso soup.

Along Kamakura’s Shichirigahama coast, Amalfi DELLA SERA is an Italian restaurant with big ocean views.
Fresh seafood purchased directly at the market and locally grown Kamakura vegetables show up in casual Italian dishes that suit the setting.
From the restaurant’s terrace, a panoramic view of Shichirigahama opens up, with expansive scenery that includes Misaki Lighthouse, Enoshima, and even Mount Fuji.

On Komachi-dori, OXYMORON komachi is the kind of cafe where the line outside often says it all.
The signature menu features four types of curry that highlight the ingredients. Blending the natural flavors of the ingredients with spices in a skillful way, these curries are originals you won’t find in any single genre.
The “Japanese-style Keema Curry,” inspired by tonjiru (pork miso soup), features a rich curry with just the right touch of miso, accented with plenty of green onions and the aroma of sesame.

From the East Exit of Kamakura Station, this Approx. 360 m street runs north from a red torii gate that marks the entrance. Lined with Approx. 250 shops packed closely together, it includes everyday stores for locals as well as restaurants and souvenir shops for tourists.
Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Kamakura is rich in nature and full of historical and cultural highlights, making this area a popular base for sightseeing. With different ways to enjoy it in every season, it’s also a favorite with many repeat visitors.

Old-town scenery and modern cafes sit side by side in Kamakura, and that mix carries over into its specialty shops as well. Kamakura Orgel Doh is located Approx. a 5-minute walk from Hase Station, near Hasedera Temple and the Kamakura Great Buddha area.
Inside, you’ll find more than 6,000 music boxes across 1,000 varieties, including original hydrangea- and Great Buddha-themed music boxes exclusive to the Kamakura shop.