Kamakura Japan: The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Historic Coastal Town near Tokyo

Kamakura is one of those places that anyone searching for Japan travel reviews has probably seen before, especially through photos of the “Kamakura Daibutsu,” the huge green bronze Buddha standing 13.35 meters tall in the open air at Kotokuin Temple. This is easily one of Kamakura’s most famous landmarks. The Great Buddha here is so iconic and widely known that even in Thailand, a replica of the Kamakura Daibutsu was built at Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan in Lampang for people to visit and pay respect to. That alone says a lot about how legendary this statue is.

Apart from visiting the original Kamakura Daibutsu, anyone who grew up with or loves the famous basketball anime Slam Dunk might also recognize the scene where Sakuragi Hanamichi stands waiting for the green Enoden train by the sea, with the ocean and bright blue sky in the background. That scene is also set right here in Kamakura, this small but culture-packed coastal city. But if you have reached this point and are not a manga person, and you are wondering, “Wait, where exactly is Kamakura?” let me tell you that Kamakura is a seaside city located not far from Tokyo at all. It is easy to reach, quick enough for a day trip, and full of places that make it worth spending a whole day exploring. So come along with me first, and by the end of this review, you might find yourself wanting to follow the same route too.

Getting to Know Kamakura

Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, located about 50 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Historically, this city served as Japan’s political capital from 1185 to 1333, becoming the center of political power and the seat of the Kamakura shogunate. From around 1200 to 1300, during the Kamakura period, it was also one of the most populated cities in Japan. Today, Kamakura is known as a coastal city that blends traditional and modern attractions in a way that feels genuinely balanced.

For anyone who loves history, Kamakura feels like a dream city. It is home to a large number of religious sites, including more than 65 temples and 19 sacred shrines. One of the city’s most important landmarks is the “Great Buddha of Kamakura,” or “Kamakura Daibutsu,” enshrined at Kotokuin Temple. This 13.35-meter-tall Buddha statue has become a symbol of calm and serenity, and it has already been designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government. That is why Kamakura continues to attract travelers who enjoy temples, history, and spiritual sites, while also remaining one of the most popular side-trip destinations from Tokyo.

Beyond its temples and shrines, Kamakura is also a great place to visit in summer, mainly because the city faces the sea. Every summer, Japanese beachgoers come to Yuigahama Beach and Zaimokuza Beach, two of the city’s most popular beaches, for surfing, paddling, swimming, sunbathing, and all kinds of outdoor seaside activities.

In short, Kamakura is a city packed with history and atmosphere. If you are drawn to old temples, spiritual places, and coastal towns with character, I really suggest reading this road trip review until the end. By the time you finish, I have a feeling Kamakura will end up somewhere on your next Japan itinerary. Keep scrolling and see for yourself.

Japan Road Trip Itinerary: Nagano – Shizuoka

Before getting into Kamakura itself, let me explain the bigger trip first. This was a self-drive road trip around Japan. We started by renting a car in Karuizawa, then drove up to Nagano, gradually made our way down to Matsumoto, Shizuoka, and the Izu Peninsula. One of the highlights of this route was seeing Kawazu cherry blossoms, one of the earliest-blooming sakura varieties in Japan, which usually starts blooming from February each year. If you want to follow this road trip route, you can use the itinerary table below as a base. I already put the full plan together, so you can either follow it exactly or adjust it to match your travel style.

Day	Travel Plan	Overnight City
1	Karuizawa Read the full review here	Nagano
2	Nagano Read the full review here Matsumoto Read the full review here	Matsumoto
3	Matsumoto Read the full review here	Fujinomiya
4	Fujinomiya Read the full review here	Fujinomiya
5	Shizuoka Read the full review here	Fujinomiya
6	West Izu Read the full review here	Shimoda
7	Kawazu Read the full review here	Ito
8	Ito Read the full review here	Atami
9	Atami Read the full review here	–
10	Kamakura – Kotokuin Temple – KANNON COFFEE kamakura – Hasedera Temple – Tsurugaoka Hachimangu – Komachi Dori Street – Kamakurakoko-Mae Station – Shichirigahama Beach	Kamakura Accommodation: Guesthouse SHIBAFU
OTA Discounts	ส่วนลด Klook ส่วนลด Agoda ส่วนลด Booking ส่วนลด Expedia ส่วนลด Hotels

How to Visit Kamakura by Public Transport

Getting to Kamakura is not difficult at all. There are several ways to travel here, but I will use Tokyo as the main starting point because most international travelers visiting this part of Japan usually fly into Tokyo first before heading out to nearby cities. Traveling to Kamakura is very convenient, especially because there are direct train routes from Tokyo that take you straight into the city.

Kotokuin Temple

Kotokuin Temple was the first place we visited in Kamakura. Before reaching the temple grounds, we had to walk along a street lined with shops on both sides, selling food, drinks, souvenirs, and all kinds of small things. If you want to grab a drink or something light to eat before going into the temple, there are plenty of places to stop along the way.

Once you are happily fed and ready to continue, just keep walking straight and you will arrive at Kotokuin Temple. This is one of Kamakura’s most famous temples, and honestly, if you come to Kamakura and skip this place, it almost feels like you have not really arrived in the city. The temple is famous for the “Kamakura Daibutsu”, a 13.35-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue weighing around 121 tons. It is considered the second-largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, after the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple in Nara. Today, the Kamakura Daibutsu has been designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government, making this temple one of the major destinations that attracts huge numbers of visitors.

The “Great Buddha of Kamakura”, or “Kamakura Daibutsu,” that we see today weighs around 93 tons. According to its history, the Buddha was originally built through donations gathered from the public. In the beginning, the statue was made mainly of wood, but it was later destroyed by a storm. In 1252, the statue was rebuilt entirely in bronze and placed inside a large hall. However, a severe storm in 1369 caused major damage to that hall. Later, in 1495, another storm destroyed the hall again, completely wiping out the structure that had once covered the Kamakura Daibutsu.

From that point onward, the Kamakura Daibutsu was left standing outdoors. It was restored in the early 18th century after a long period of deterioration, but that was not the end of its challenges. In 1923, Japan was struck by another major earthquake, which caused considerable damage to the statue. It was not until 1960 that another restoration was carried out to strengthen the base of the Kamakura Daibutsu. Since then, it has remained one of the most important Buddhist statues and one of the defining symbols of Kamakura.

The atmosphere inside the temple has a very old, sacred feeling. You can really sense the weight of history around the Kamakura Daibutsu, sitting calmly and powerfully in the center of the temple grounds. If you want to come here to pray or pay respect, I recommend arriving early in the morning. This temple is extremely famous, both domestically and internationally, so tour groups visit in large numbers. On the day I went, there were so many Thai tour groups that I suddenly heard Thai voices everywhere and almost felt like I had been transported back to Thailand for a second.

Personally, I would suggest making this your first stop in the morning. After paying respect and taking in the atmosphere, you can also walk around, buy souvenirs, or pick up amulets to bring home. There is a small shop beside the Great Buddha statue where you can browse and buy temple items before leaving.

KANNON COFFEE kamakura

One Kamakura cafe that I think you should absolutely not miss is KANNON COFFEE kamakura. This cafe has turned the face of the Kamakura Daibutsu into sweets and cookies, making it one of the shop’s signatures. It is cute, memorable, and so popular that many visitors come here specifically to try it.

The KANNON COFFEE kamakura branch opened in 2017 as the second branch after the original shop in Nagoya. The cafe itself has a warm, homey feeling, set inside a renovated former kimono shop. The space is decorated with wood tones and a clear glass frontage, so you can already see the cozy interior before stepping inside. The cafe is known for coffee, including hand-drip coffee, seasonal blends, and specialty drinks. But the item that really pulls people in is the tiny Great Buddha biscuit, sold on its own and also used as a topping for crepes and parfaits. Basically, if you come here, this is the thing everyone orders.

I ordered the plain Great Buddha biscuit, a crepe with the Great Buddha biscuit, and a few other items too. Believe it or not, the desserts were genuinely good, not just cute for photos. The presentation is adorable and perfect for content, but the taste also holds up nicely. Besides the Great Buddha-themed desserts, KANNON COFFEE kamakura also has other sweets and drinks beyond coffee. If you have just finished visiting the Kamakura Daibutsu, definitely walk over and try it. For me, this is one of the cafes in Kamakura that is absolutely worth adding to the route.

Hasedera Temple

Hasedera Temple is another one of Kamakura’s oldest Buddhist temples, and I really think it deserves a stop. The temple is home to a gilded wooden statue of the eleven-headed Kannon, standing over 9.18 meters tall inside the main hall. It is considered one of the largest wooden Buddhist statues in Japan.

As for the story of Hasedera Temple, this is one of the oldest Jodo Buddhist temples in Kamakura. According to legend, in 721, the monk Tokudo Shonin commissioned two statues of Kannon to be carved from a camphor tree. The smaller statue was enshrined at Hasedera Temple in Nara. The other statue was cast into the sea as an offering, then drifted away and disappeared beneath the waves. In 736, the Kannon statue was said to have washed ashore in Kamakura, leading to the construction of Hasedera Temple as the place to enshrine it.

From the temple entrance to the main hall, both sides of the path are lined with tiny Buddhist statues. The mood is sacred but also strangely adorable at the same time. The whole temple area is lush and green, with seasonal flowers planted throughout the grounds. Since the temple is built on a hillside, once you walk up to the upper area, you can look back across Kamakura city and Sagami Bay. There are plenty of older visitors and travelers sitting at the rest area, enjoying the breeze and the view. If your legs are starting to get tired, this is a lovely spot to sit down, drink some water, and take in the scenery for a while.

When you reach the main building, you will find a large hall called the “Kannon-do Hall,” where the Kannon statue is enshrined. When I visited, people were continuously coming in to pray and pay respect. After leaving the main hall, the side area leads to the “Kannon Museum,” a small museum that requires an additional admission fee. Inside, it displays other valuable treasures of the temple, including Buddhist statues, temple bells, and illustrated scrolls. Across from the main hall is the “Amida-do Hall,” which enshrines a nearly 3-meter-tall golden Buddha statue.

Once you have finished walking through the temple grounds and paying respect, do not forget to stop by Benten Cave before leaving. It is a short cave route where you can walk inside and explore. The cave contains carved Buddhist and deity-related figures, both carved into the cave walls and displayed as small statues that you can see up close. The name Benten Cave is said to come from a small hall within the temple garden dedicated to Benten, also known as Benzaiten, the goddess associated with beauty and wealth.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is one of Kamakura’s most important shrines, with a history of more than 800 years. If you want to experience an old, historically significant shrine in Kamakura, this is the place to come. The shrine was originally founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063, before being expanded and moved to its current location in 1180 by Minamoto Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate. At that time, Hachiman, the god of war, was enshrined here as the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war, who was revered as the protective deity of the Minamoto clan and samurai in general. Today, visitors come to this shrine to pray for many things, from health and business prosperity to academic success and general blessings.

To reach the main shrine, you walk through a large torii gate, cross a bridge over the pond, and continue deeper into the grounds, surrounded by green trees. My friends and I walked in slowly, stopping here and there for a few casual photos along the way. The main building stands prominently on a hill, reached by climbing 61 steps. Inside, there is also a small museum displaying shrine treasures such as swords, masks, and historical documents, and this is also where visitors go to pray.

I should say honestly that I did not go inside the main hall. It was crowded, and by that point we were starting to get tired, so we paid respect from outside the main building instead. After that, I walked back to the car park. Still, if you are visiting Kamakura and want to add a meaningful shrine stop to your trip, definitely pin this place and climb up to pray inside if you have the energy.

Komachi Dori Street

Not far from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, there is a famous shopping street where you can walk around and hunt for snacks. This is Komachi Dori Street, a narrow street lined with more than 250 shops selling food, souvenirs, and all kinds of small items. One thing to know first is that this street is mostly about local-style goods rather than big-name brands. So if you want to try original local snacks or buy Japanese-style souvenirs, this is exactly the kind of street you will enjoy.

Most of the things sold along Komachi Dori Street range from kimono items and traditional Japanese knives to ceramic tableware and chopsticks. There are also plenty of food shops and dessert stalls, so if you are hungry, this is a good place to grab something before continuing your walk. The shop I came here looking for was Tomoya Kamakurakomachi, known for selling little Great Buddha-shaped cakes.

Tomoya Kamakurakomachi is not hard to find, or you can simply pin it on Google Maps. Look for the blue shop sign with a picture of the Buddha Cake, or the Great Buddha-shaped dessert, on the front. Once you spot it, go straight in. The cakes come with several fillings, including purple sweet potato, red bean, custard, and bacon and cheese. Prices vary by flavor, starting from 220 yen (around US$1.50) to 270 yen (around US$1.80). I tried the purple sweet potato flavor, and the taste was okay. It was not mind-blowing, but definitely decent. The main reason people line up is the cute Great Buddha face, which makes it one of those snacks that everyone seems to buy and photograph when walking along Komachi Dori Street.

Besides the Great Buddha cakes, the street has so many ice cream shops and other snack stalls that it can honestly be hard to choose. Food shops, dessert shops, and little eateries line up one after another. I also stopped to try roasted Japanese sweet potato drizzled with honey and topped with butter, and this one was seriously delicious. Warm, sweet, buttery, and fragrant in the best way. I also bought grilled squid and walked around eating as I went. There is just so much food here that it feels almost impossible to leave hungry. If you come to Komachi Dori Street, come ready to snack your way through the whole street.

Kamakurakoko-Mae Station

Fans of the famous basketball anime Slam Dunk will probably recognize the scene where Sakuragi Hanamichi stands waiting for the cute green Enoden train by the sea, with the ocean and bright blue sky behind him. The anime scene was inspired by the real-life atmosphere around Kamakurakoko-Mae Station, right here in Kamakura.

Kamakurakoko-Mae Station is located in the Koshigoe area. Even though it is only a small station, it is famous for its one-of-a-kind seaside view. From the platform, you can see the Pacific Ocean, and on clear days, even Mount Fuji. Of course, its popularity does not come only from the beautiful view. The station also appears in the opening scene of Slam Dunk, where the protagonist Sakuragi Hanamichi meets the heroine. Fans of the anime have even nicknamed this area the “crossing of fate.” The station also appears toward the end of the story, which is why so many manga and anime fans come here to follow the scene in real life.

Personally, I did not get out of the car here. I only drove around to see the area and take in the atmosphere, because traffic was heavy and parking was extremely difficult to find. If you want to properly follow the anime route, I recommend taking the train and getting off directly at this station instead. The adorable green train you see here is the famous Enoden Line.

Shichirigahama Beach

After driving around to follow the Slam Dunk route, we accidentally came across Shichirigahama Beach. By then, it was almost evening. The sun was getting ready to set, and we could see the faint silhouette of Mount Fuji in the distance. It was unbelievably beautiful. Since there was a large parking lot right by the beach and the sunset mood looked too good to ignore, we decided to stop, take photos, and soak in the last light of our day in Kamakura.

Shichirigahama Beach sits along the southern Shonan coastline and is also a popular spot for surfers. You will see both travelers and locals surfing here. I walked down to the beach during that blue-gold hour, and the whole area was full of people walking, taking photos, and enjoying the evening. Some came as couples, holding hands against the romantic backdrop of the sea and golden sunlight. It is the kind of place that feels especially perfect if you are traveling with someone you love.

For me, ending the day at Shichirigahama Beach made this Kamakura trip feel complete. The sky was perfectly clear, the wind was soft, and the sound of the waves made everything slow down. With the faint outline of Mount Fuji in the distance and the sun casting golden-brown reflections across the water as far as the eye could see, the whole scene felt like watching a painting being created right in front of me. A relaxed mood, a cold drink in hand, and the last light of the day sinking below the horizon. It was such a memorable moment. I would honestly call this one of Kamakura’s most beautiful sunset viewpoints. I really want everyone to see it in person, because the image is still stuck in my mind.

Where to Stay in Kamakura: Guesthouse SHIBAFU

Although my Kamakura itinerary was basically a one-day trip, I decided to stay here for one night before spending a full day exploring the city. The accommodation I chose was Guesthouse SHIBAFU, located only about 350 meters from Kotokuin Temple. The place has a bar-and-guesthouse feel, with rooms upstairs and a small bar downstairs that stays open until 10:00 p.m. for both guests and walk-in visitors. One thing I should warn you about: do not drive your car directly into the guesthouse area. I tried, and it turned into a whole situation because the entrance was too narrow for the car. We had to reverse back out and find paid parking outside instead.

I booked a triple room on the second floor, with an extra futon added as the third bed. The price came out to around 20,000 yen per night (around US$135). Overall, the room was not too small and was clean and tidy, with the feeling of staying at a relative’s house, except the relative happens to live in Japan. That is really the vibe. The facilities were complete enough, but noise is something to keep in mind. If you plan to sleep before 10:00 p.m., I would honestly skip this place, because the bar downstairs can be loud.

As for food, the guesthouse does not include breakfast, but I do not think that is a real problem. Since Guesthouse SHIBAFU is located close to the Great Buddha area, you can simply walk out and find something to eat on the way to Kotokuin Temple. For me, the biggest advantage of staying here is the convenience of the location. Even if you are not renting a car like I did, you can still walk around comfortably. Before checking out, we also had some time left to collect a few more spots nearby. If you want to start the morning with a cafe stop, I recommend walking toward Kotokuin Temple. The approach street before the temple is filled with shops, and I personally stopped by Uni Coffee Roastery for coffee before leaving Kamakura.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Kamakura

And that wraps up my full Kamakura travel plan. If you love history, old temples, sacred places, and cities with a calm but deeply rooted atmosphere, Kamakura is absolutely worth considering. For anyone traveling in Japan and wanting a day that feels a little more spiritual, cultural, and slow-paced, I think Kamakura is one of those cities that will not disappoint.

อ่านรีวิวเมืองนี้จบแล้ว
อ่านรีวิวเมืองอื่นในญี่ปุ่นต่อกันเลย 🤗

ญี่ปุ่นเป็นประเทศไม่กี่ประเทศที่นี่รู้สึกว่า ไปกี่ครั้งก็ไม่น่าเบื่อ ไปแล้วไปอีกได้ตลอด และยังประเทศที่ตัวเองตั้งมิชชั่นว่า อยากจะเก็บให้หมดทั่วประเทศ ฮ่าา เอาเป็นว่า HASHCORNER นี่ก็มีรีวิวญี่ปุ่นให้อ่านและตามรอยเยอะพอสมควร ทั้งหมดนับแล้วเกือบ 50 รีวิวแล้ว เยอะโคตร ใครที่มีแพลนไปเมืองไหนในญี่ปุ่นที่มีชื่อเมืองตามลิสด้านล่าง สามารถคลิกลิงค์อ่านต่อได้เล้ย

ส่วนลดจองโรงแรมจาก Agoda, Expedia, Booking และบัตรสวนสนุก ตั๋วรถไฟ กิจกรรมท่องเที่ยวจาก Klook และ KKday ปี 2025

⚡️ สำหรับใครที่กำลังจะจองที่พักและหาส่วนลดจองโรงแรมอยู่ ลองดูตามลิงค์ด้านล่างได้เลย มีทั้ง Agoda, Expedia, Booking รวมถึง Hotels.com ด้วย ประหยัดไปได้อีกเกือบ 10-20% ใช้ได้กับโรงแรมทั่วโลก

หลายคนอาจจะไม่รู้ว่าเว็บไซต์จองโรงแรมพวกนี้ มีส่วนลดท็อปอัพจากบัตรเครดิตเพิ่มเกือบทุกธนาคาร ไม่ว่าจะเป็นบัตรเครดิต Citibank, KBANK, SCB, Krungsri, KTC, Bangkok Bank, UOB และ TMB หรือแม้แต่ส่วนลดจากค่ายมือถืออย่าง AIS, DTAC หรือ True ซึ่งส่วนลดพวกนี้จะเปลี่ยนตลอดทุกเดือน และเก๊าก็อัพเดทให้ตลอดเวลาเน้อ 🧡

> ส่วนลด Agoda.com (อโกด้า)
> ส่วนลด Booking.com (บุคกิ้ง)
>  ส่วนลด Expedia (เอ็กซ์พีเดีย)
> ส่วนลด Klook (คลุก)
> ส่วนลด KKday ( เคเคเดย์)