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Kamakura 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kamakura, Japan
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Courtney_T ·
Nov 2025
Masa was a great host! We really enjoyed seeing the Hokuku-ji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Masa shared his knowledge of these establishments, and was happy to answer all of our questions. Overall, great experience.
· Leila_L ·
Aug 2025
An was very knowledgeable and helpful with bringing me around all the most beautiful temples and shrines. Kamakura is such a gem and lovely place to spend some quality time. I also needed help with trains and restaurants recommendations and An helped me so much. She’s a great guide.

Overview

Enjoy a private half-day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo with a licensed guide and avoid the risk of getting lost or missing the best bits. Choose 2–3 activities that interest you most for a personalized tour. Possibilities include the Great Buddha, Komachi Shopping Street, Hasedera Temple, and more. Travel is by public transportation and on foot.
  • Choose the top Kamakura attractions that appeal to you
  • Be amazed by the enormous Great Buddha of Kamakura
  • Admire the views from the highest point of Hasedera Temple
  • Meet your guide at Kamakura Station for an easy start

What's Included

  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kamakura
  • Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
  • Private transportation
  • You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
  • Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

**Yokohama Pick-up is not available. Please book 6hr tour if you would like to start a tour from Yokohoma.** This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

Itinerary

1

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

2

Kotoku-in - Great Buddha of Kamakura

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

3

Hasedera Temple

5 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

4

Hokoku-ji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

5

Kamakura Hiking Trails

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

6

Enoshima Island

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

7

Engaku-ji

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

8

Kencho-ji Temple

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

9

Zeniarai Benten Shrine

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

10

Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

11

Ankokuronji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

12

Jomyo-ji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

13

Zuisen-ji Temple

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

14

Myohonji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

15

Jochiji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

16

Tokeiji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

17

Jufukuji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

18

Eishoji Temple

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Stroller accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 60 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great Last Minute Tour

Abigail_W, Nov 2025
The guide, Shinji, was very flexible and accommodating. We appreciate his patience and understanding for our very last-minute booking.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review. The tour day was blessed with fine weather, and the temperature was perfect for walking around Kamakura. However, since the tour started in the afternoon, we ended up walking along a dark road to the restaurant in a chilly wind. I hope you enjoyed your dinner and Kamakura. Thank you again. Shinji

Nice to have a local guide

Nicholas_C, Sep 2025
Helpful to have a friendly local guide, we appreciated his schedule and destination flexibility and knowledge of how to get around the city. We would have benefited from a guide with slightly stronger English skills who would have had the confidence to tell us more about the sites we were visiting and our options for our time together. Ultimately our guide was a positive, jovial local that helped us get more out of our time in Kamakura.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you very much for joining our Kamakura tour and for taking the time to share your feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed spending time with your guide. We also appreciate your comment regarding English communication and will use it to further improve our service for future guests. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next trip to Japan! Japan Guide Agency

Special time in Kamakura

Leila_L, Aug 2025
An was very knowledgeable and helpful with bringing me around all the most beautiful temples and shrines. Kamakura is such a gem and lovely place to spend some quality time. I also needed help with trains and restaurants recommendations and An helped me so much. She’s a great guide.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour. It was truly an honor to have you as my guest, and I hope the experience added something special to your time in Japan. Thank you again, and I wish you a wonderful rest of your stay here! An

We had such a wonderful...

Melinda_R, Aug 2025
We had such a wonderful time with Yoshi! He was very knowledge, kind, and considerate. I would highly recommend him.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

How are you doing today ? I hope both of you are well. I think that you are enjoying your stay in Kyoto. Thanks for your message to Viator review about the tour in Kamakura. I'm very happy to hear that. I hope you have a lot of memories in Kyoto and Hakone and I look forward to seeing both of you again in Tokyo. Please make sure you stay hydrated. It is 1 of the most important issues in Kyoto. Thanks for your cooperation. Sincerely yours, Yoshihiro "Yoshi" Shimizu

Thank you, Shinji!

Linda_C, Jul 2025
We had a wonderful tour and Matcha workshop with sweets making. Highly recommend. We really appreciate the thoughtfulness and patience that went into making today so wonderful for our whole family.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review. I was relieved when I met you at the station because your arrival was delayed due to a train accident. I am happy that you enjoyed the Matcha and Japanese sweets making course that I showed you. Thank you again. Shinji

Kamakura with Shinji

Tonia_B, Jun 2025
Shinji was very patient with my son and I after we were delayed on the train. He was an excellent guide with answers to every question and great humor. Definitely a trip highlight.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review. Train delays are common, so I was relieved when I met you at the station. I am happy that you enjoyed the history and nature of Kamakura and this tour. Thank you again. Shinji

Kappa, our guide met us...

Leigh_M, May 2025
Kappa, our guide met us at the train station and took us all over Kamakura. We saw shrines, the big Buddha, gardens, and the Oceanside! Kappa shared a lot of history about Kamakura, and it was nice to have this background when we were exploring these incredible sites! Highly recommend!

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you very much for your beautiful comments. Waling along the street, full of greeting leaves was a pleasant and refreshing time for me, too. Especially with the guests with aesthetically conscious and have the sense of careful observation to the nature! We only had four hours, but you chose the best of Kamakura with your preparation. I was glad that I could take part in it. Thank you very much from my heart. Kappa

Mr. Shinji is so nice and...

LaToya_S, Feb 2025
Mr. Shinji is so nice and patient. The tour was incredible and a great cultural experience. The entire family enjoyed the tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Dear my guests, I am so glad that you enjoyed my guide tour so much. I, too, enjoyed the beloved company. I hope you have had great days for the rest of your stay in Japan. Best, Shinji

Take this Tour! So easy and nice!

Tracy_P, Feb 2025
We had a perfect day. Could not have been a more pleasant time! Our guide Tatako became a friend, not just our guide.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

I’m so glad that you enjoyed the tour and call me a friend. Talking with you while walking around the town was intriguing and a precious time for me. I’ll wait for you to come back soon! Takako

Exceptional tour guide!

Stacey_K, Jan 2025
Masako -san was a wonderful guide! She provided a customized itinerary that met our needs and excellent information at each stop. She was a pleasure to be with and even followed up with answers to questions after the fact.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review! I am so happy to read your review. I am very glad that you enjoyed the tour. I really enjoyed your questions about Hasedera Temple and so on.Arigato gozaimasu! From your guide, Masako

The great tour

SAYAKA_A, Jan 2025
It was New Year time. So there were so many people and a lot of special things there. It was very fun! The tour guide made a plan for us and it was wonderful, all what we wanted. We really enjoyed.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review! Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is very crowded with visitors during the first three days of the New Year. I was grateful that my guest suggested visiting the shrine at the beginning of the tour, which allowed us to avoid the long wait times. We were surprised to see a long line of visitors after our shrine visit. The main street, Wakamiya-oji, is closed to traffic and becomes a pedestrian precinct, allowing visitors to walk without worrying about cars. This is also only during New Year's. I'm happy if you enjoyed this special atmosphere of New Year's in Kamakura. Thank you again. Shinji

Kamakura Great Experience

Charles_G, Dec 2024
We enjoyed our visit to Kamakura. Our experience was elevated by our private guide. Knowing the rich history behind the tours was very beneficial to our experience.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Dear How are you doing today ? I hope all of you are well. Thanks for your message to Viator review. I'm very happy to hear that. How was your stay in Japan ? I hope you have a lot of memories in Japan and I look forward to seeing all of you again in Tokyo. Thanks for your cooperation. Sincerely yours, Yoshi

Informative Tour

Sidna_M, Nov 2024
We enjoyed the tour and our guide was very nice and informative. Enjoyed having him join us for lunch and teach us how to eat the Japanese dish. Only compliant is the tour was completed well before the time scheduled for the tour. I felt another activity or site could have been added.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

We thank you for choosing our experience and taking your time to leave us the honest feedback. We are so sorry to hear that you could not enjoy the tour with our guide. We are constantly striving to further improve our service and apologize for not being able to provide you with the experience you expected this time. Please let us know if there is anything further we can do for you. Japan Guide Agency

Wonderful Experience with Hiro

Jeremy_E, Aug 2024
We loved the time we got to spend with Hiro in Kamakura. He was so personable and helped our son practice his Japanese that he has been studying on Duolingo. We loved hearing about Hiro’s home, his family and his grandchildren. Hiro met us at Kamakura station and he was prepared with materials he put together to customize the itinerary based on what we wanted to see. We all decided that we really wanted to see the beach and visit Enoshima island nearby. Hiro took the time to teach us a lot about Shinto and Buddhist practices in Japan. He also took us to a local Japanese restaurant where we sat at the floor-level table and had a traditional lunch. Overall out time with Hiro was a highlight of our family adventure in Japan and highly recommended!!

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Thank you very much for your heartful comments, I could have a wonderful time with your wonderful family. I was also happy to have a Japanese lesson time with your son, Please tell him to come again near future, we Japan waiting for him. Thanks, Hiro

A Great Day in Kamakura

Susan_G, May 2024
We had a wonderful 4 hour tour of Kamakura with our guide Isao. He was so informative and took us to the sites we wanted to see, the Great Budda and the Engaku-ji shrine, as well as to an excellent restaurant as we had requested. He explained to us the history and importance of the sites and gave us a great experience. I highly recommend taking a tour with Isao. He met us at our hotel in Yokohama and took us by subway and train to Kita-Kamakura, then on into Kamakura itself. and back to our hotel at the end of a great day. We loved our trip to Japan and hope to return sometime to explore more.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thanks for taking the tour with me. The day we went to Kamakura was wonderful day for me so I will remember for my life. Japan has many beautiful places to see so please come back and we tour guide will help you to go around. Isao

Kamakura in Bloom

Liza_T, Apr 2024
My family of five (my 70+ year old parents, husband, tween boy, and myself) booked a four-hour Kamakura tour with Yasuho. Prior to the trip, we had a few emails to ensure we got to visit the places we wanted to visit. We arrived during peak cherry blossom season, so there were crowds; but, it was also a beautiful time. Having a dedicated guide for our little family (instead of booking with a big tour group) helped us to easily navigate through this busy season. Yasuho was knowledgeable, accommodating, and kind. He was able to point things out and share information that I wouldn't have known if we went on our own.

Response from Host, May 2024

It’s my great pleasure to hear that your family had enjoyed the tour in the full bloom of cherry trees in Kamakura. I’m expecting that your family will come back to Tokyo to get in touch with Japanese history and culture in depth. Best regards Yasuho Suzuki

A day I hoped for

Jerry_C, Apr 2024
It started with a beautiful day in Yokohama. Perhaps it was our lucky day to have our tour guide An to show us how wonderful it is the beautiful side of Japan, not only in the city landscape. She is great, patient, and wonderful. We had a great visit in Kamakura . We enjoyed all the attractions that she showed us and more. It was a fantastic day in the slow motion seeing the beautiful landscape and culture aspects. One scoop of green tea ice cream gave us a happy ending. I sincerely appreciated An’s efforts to make a day so enjoyable in this our short visit!!!!

Response from Host, May 2024

I appreciate your kind review! I am glad you liked the places we visited on that day. Guiding you through Kamakura was a true honor. If you ever plan another visit, we'd be more than happy to serve you again. Thank you for choosing us, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip! An

Boys Trip

Sidney_C, Mar 2024
Great tour with Yuki!!! Despite the rain , it was a wonderful and educational tour. Yuki is the best tour guide and I highly recommend her.

A wonderful, worthwhile experience

Anthony_T, Jan 2024
We went to see the Great Buddha, The Bamboo Garden and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. We had an amazing time with Andy, who personlaized our tour and made it an unforgettable experience. We had great communication even before the tour started and felt like we were in good hands from the start - Andy is knowledgeable and helped us understand the history of the places we visited by using helpful visual tools he designed himself amd by answering all our questions. The tour also started and finished on time, which helped us to plan our day. My husband and I would recommend this tour, and having Andy as your guide, with great enthusiasm.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for your very nice review. The weather was very nice, and I enjoyed the ancient capital of Kamakura to the fullest. You taught me many things about your country, and I learned a lot. The matcha we had at the bamboo garden was also very delicious. Please come visit Japan again. Warm Regards, Andy

The tour was totally fun and relaxing. The experienced and friendly guide, Shinji made it the more enjoyable

SooGuan_L, Sep 2023
The tour was totally fun and relaxing. It provided a localised experience at our pace, which was what we were looking for. The knowledgeable and friendly guide, Shinji, made it more enjoyable. Thank you

Response from Host, Sep 2023

It was still a hot day, although the weather was unstable due to the change of seasons. I was praying that it wouldn't rain until the end of the trip. This trip was a day which I enjoyed walking around Kamakura with friends of the same age rather than as a trip guide. I hope that all my guests will enjoy the rest of the Japan journey even more ! Shinji

Best Guide in Kamakura

Brent_B, Apr 2023
Our guide Mr. Goto was excellent. He was knowledgeable about each site we visited, helpful in helping us get by train from Tokyo to Kamakura, highly informative, willing to answer all of our many questions, personable, friendly, and spoke excellent English. He allowed the three of us in our party enough to explore (including me as an amateur-yet-published photographer) at each side. Mr. Goto even came with a booklet of images, etc., to help explain much of the background history and religious symbolism at each location. He was easily our best guide in Japan (out of three that we had in one week). We recommend Mr. Goto to any wanting to visit Kamakura or his hometown of Yokohama. Brent, Lorinda, and Caroline

From $98.02

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 53 days in advance.

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