[Kamakura Transportation Guide] Getting to Kamakura from Tokyo, Plus How to Get Around the City and Reach Enoshima

You can get directly from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station by taking the JR Yokosuka Line.
Trains run only once every 10 to 15 minutes, which is relatively infrequent for central Tokyo, so checking the timetable in advance and adjusting your schedule will help make your trip smoother.

The route from Shinagawa Station to Kamakura Station is basically the same as the one from Tokyo Station.

You can get directly from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station by taking the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line bound for Zushi.
Trains bound for Odawara or Kozu instead of Zushi require a transfer at an intermediate station.
Also, service runs only from 8am to 9pm, and trains are limited to about one every 30 minutes.

There are no direct trains between Ueno Station and Kamakura Station, so you will need at least one transfer.
There are several possible routes, but using the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line and the Yokosuka Line is the standard option and gets you there the fastest.

There are also no direct trains between Asakusa Station and Kamakura Station, so in most cases you will need to transfer twice as shown below.
The route is almost the same as the one from Ueno Station, passing through Totsuka Station or Yokohama Station.
However, depending on the time of day, taking the Toei Asakusa Line Limited Express may let you get there with just one transfer (Asakusa Station → Yokohama Station → Kamakura Station) for 975 yen one way.
With a travel time of Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes, it can be a good option in terms of both time and cost.

From Haneda Airport, unless you have a special reason otherwise, the Keikyu Airport Line is your best option.
The route listed below, starting from Terminal 3, which handles many international flights, is the fastest and cheapest.
Trains run about once every 20 minutes, but some services, such as those bound for Inba-Nihon-Idai or Keisei-Takasago, require a transfer along the way, so be sure to check the destination carefully.

From Narita Airport to Kamakura Station, the paid Narita Express limited express with reserved seating is the fastest and most comfortable option.
However, reserved-seat tickets must be purchased in advance, and trains run only once per hour, so depending on when you arrive at the airport, your wait may be long.
Fares are also relatively high, so if you have extra time in your schedule, the JR Narita Line Rapid is also recommended.
It also runs once per hour, but you can get there directly in Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes for 2,310 yen one way.
Since Airport Terminal 2 Station is the second stop from the line’s starting station, you also have a good chance of getting a seat, making the trip easier and more straightforward.

The Enoshima Electric Railway (commonly called Enoden) is a small local rail line, Approx. 10 km long, connecting 15 stations from Fujisawa Station to Kamakura Station.
The sight of its retro, friendly-looking trains rolling slowly through town is one of the iconic scenes of Shonan and Kamakura. It has also appeared many times in movies, TV dramas, and anime set in the Shonan area.
The railroad crossing modeled in the opening of the anime adaptation of the basketball manga Slam Dunk is also located right near Enoden’s Kamakurakokomae Station.
Another highlight is being able to enjoy beautiful views of the Shonan coast and old townscapes up close from the train windows.
On the other hand, because the stations are close together, it is not ideal for long-distance travel or when you are in a hurry.
Also, it gets extremely crowded on weekends and during holiday travel seasons, especially Golden Week, and may be even more packed than expected.
Despite these drawbacks depending on the situation, riding the Enoden is one of the signature Kamakura experiences, so it is well worth trying at least once during your trip.

Enoden Bus is a bus network in Kanagawa that operates widely across the Shonan area (including Fujisawa, Kamakura, and Ofuna) as well as the Yokohama area (including Totsuka and Kami-Ooka).
It complements the Enoden rail line by connecting stations with tourist sites and residential areas, making it a good option for places halfway up the hills that are hard to reach by train or for destinations that are too far to walk from the station.
For example, it is convenient for getting to Kamakura Daibutsu Kotoku-in Temple, Enoshima, and Yuigahama.
Because its routes are more detailed than the train network, it is also ideal for exploring lesser-known places and finding your own favorite spots.
However, there are many bus lines, so it can be confusing at first, making it important to check the bus stop names and destination signs carefully.
Another downside is that traffic congestion, especially on weekends and during peak travel periods, can cause significant delays.

In Kamakura, the Keihin Kyuko Bus network covers a wide area centered around Kamakura Station and Ofuna Station, reaching the city center, coastal areas, and hillside neighborhoods.
From the Kamakura Station bus stop, you can access popular spots such as Hokokuji Temple, Jomyoji Temple, and Kamakurayama.
Its main use cases are basically the same as Enoden Bus, and it is convenient for reaching sightseeing spots that are hard to get to by train or places far from stations.
It shares the same disadvantages as well, with delays likely due to road congestion and crowds during peak sightseeing periods, making schedules harder to predict, and some routes have limited service frequency and operating hours.
For that reason, it is best to decide whether to make Enoden Bus or Keihin Kyuko Bus your main option based on your destination, the area you want to explore, and your sightseeing plan.

The Shonan Monorail is a suspended monorail line connecting all 8 stations between Ofuna Station and Shonan-Enoshima Station, covering Approx. 6.6 km in about 14 minutes.
From the windows, you can enjoy views of Fujisawa’s cityscape, satoyama scenery, and the sea while traveling.
Because it runs on elevated tracks with many ups, downs, and sharp curves, it also offers plenty of amusement-ride excitement.
Another advantage is its frequent service, with roughly eight trains per hour, and the fact that it is not affected by road traffic.
However, its route coverage is limited, and when heading to central Kamakura or the Hase area, Enoden or JR lines are often more convenient.
It is especially recommended for those who want to enjoy the local atmosphere of the Kataseyama and Shonan area, or for sightseeing around Enoshima starting from Ofuna.

Komachi Street, a shopping street about 360 m long and often considered the center of Kamakura sightseeing, is just a 1 to 2-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station.
Exit through the east exit ticket gate, turn left, and you should soon see the entrance to Komachi Street.

Walking is also the recommended way to get to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which is closely associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate.
From Kamakura Station’s east exit, head straight north toward Wakamiya Oji, and you can reach the entrance to the approach in around 10 minutes without getting lost.
Many visitors choose this route because it lets them experience Kamakura’s history and the atmosphere of the town.
You can also get there via Komachi Street, making it a nice option to visit after enjoying street food and shopping for souvenirs.
If taking the bus, board a Keihin Kyuko Bus such as Route 24 bound for Kanazawa-Hakkei from Platform 4 at the east exit bus terminal (Approx. 5 minutes, 2 stops), get off at Hachimangu, and walk a few minutes from there.

There are several ways to get to Hasedera Temple, one of Kamakura’s most famous temples, but traveling by train is the standard option.
From Enoden Kamakura Station, located at the west exit of JR Kamakura Station, take a train bound for Fujisawa (Approx. 5 minutes, 3 stops), get off at Hase Station, and walk about 5 minutes.
Enoden Bus takes almost the same amount of time (Approx. 6 minutes, 5 stops), but during peak sightseeing seasons it is more likely to be affected by traffic congestion.
For that reason, taking the Enoden, which also lets you enjoy the scenery of Kamakura and Enoshima, is the recommended way to get there.

The “Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass” is a free pass that gives you unlimited rides for one day on a designated section of the Odakyu Line (Fujisawa Station to Katase-Enoshima Station) and the entire Enoshima Electric Railway line.
You can purchase it from ticket machines at Odakyu Line stations, as well as at Odakyu Travel Centers, some travel agencies, and through the EMot smartphone app.
It uses a variable pricing system depending on your departure station (810 yen to 1,930 yen). For example, departing from Shinjuku costs 1,640 yen for adults and 430 yen for children.
It also comes with discounts and special offers at Approx. 23 spots and facilities.
It is recommended for those who want to explore the Enoshima and Kamakura area on a day trip from Tokyo at a good value.