When Emperors Reigned and Shoguns Ruled
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kamakura, Japan
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit Kamakura's main attractions with a focus on the history of the Kamakura Period, which ranged from 1185 to 1333. Beyond simply visiting each site, you’ll learn about how the shogunate government, samurai, and the rise of Zen Buddhism shaped the area. The private tour allows you to explore at your own pace and ask as many questions as you’d like.
- Choose your preferred start time from several available options
- Your professional photographer guide can snap great photos of you
- Observe contemporary Japanese culture on a stroll down Kamakura's main area
- Great option for single travelers to groups of up to eight people
What's Included
- Local guide
- Professional photographer guide
- Tour escort/host
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Kamakura Station1-chōme-1-15 Onarimachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012, Japan
Outside the East Exit ticket gate
End point
- Hase Station2 Chome-14 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan
Hase Station of the Enoden Line..
Itinerary
1
Wakamiya Main Street
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Kamakura Komachidori
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Kotoku-in - Great Buddha of Kamakura
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Hasedera Temple
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 42 reviews
Mary_R, Oct 2025
It was a wonderful yet rainy afternoon... but we got all the sites completed. Virgel is amazingly knowledgeable and put so much of Kamakura's history into perspective.... we walked thru history as Virgel set the tone.
Stopping for Matcha Ice Cream was a special addition that we all sooo appreciated!!!
And Virgel's interest in our next places of travel brought us closer yet, to our dear guide.
Susan_S, Jun 2025
Wonderful backstory of the history of the shoguns. Virgil was a great historian and very knowledgeable. He was very kind and also great photographer! Great tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for the very kind review. It was a great pleasure meeting the two of you and showing you around.. Hope you'll come back to Kamakura someday - or we'll meet again somewhere in this big, beautiful...world! Warmest regards to you both!
Joseph_S, May 2025
My 10-year-old daughter and I took a week-long trip to Tokyo, as she loves all things Japanese (anime, manga, Pokemon, Ghibli, ramen and sushi, etc), and I booked this tour as a chance for us both to learn a bit about Japanese history and culture. It turned out to be our favorite part of the trip. Virgil was an amazing guide and taught us both a lot. My daughter can be a tough nut to crack, but Virgil tells stories in such an engaging way that she thoroughly enjoyed the tour as much as I did. The shrines and temples of Kamakura are awe inspiring, and I was blown away by our day there. I give this tour my highest recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in Japanese history, culture, and religion.
Response from Host, May 2025
Many thanks for such a glowing review! I’m so glad you and most especially your lovely and smart daughter enjoyed your visit to Kamakura. The two of you are among the top on my list of best customers ever! I hope I’ll have the pleasure of showing you around again in the near future. All the best!
Ye_L, Apr 2025
Kamakura is a beautiful place. Virgil is very friendly, patient, knowledgable, and was always ready to take a photo of us! He knows so much about the history of Kamakura and Japan in general and we learned so much from him. He also told many fun historical anecdotes! My family really enjoyed this tour and had a wonderful time.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for the review! I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit to Kamakura. I hope our paths will cross again in the future - back in Kamakura or somewhere else in this amazing world we live in. All the best to you and your charming family! Virgil
IREM_V, Sep 2024
Hi, it was very lovely and informatiıve to discover Kamakura with Virgil. He is very helpful in everything. Highly recomended..
AmadoAlejandro_B, Aug 2024
We had a great time with Virgil, he was extremely knowledgeable and had many interesting stories about the places we visited. He was flexible with the sites and our time. Getting to places on public transport was also a plus for us. Virgil speaks English very well and Spanish also.
Recommend this trip 100 %
Sean_M, Aug 2024
Virgil was a fountain of knowledge on Japanese history. We saw shrines, the Great Buddha of Kamakura, and we had a great lunch of Soba noodles!
Maria_B, Aug 2024
I unknowingly booked a private tour and was surprised but I could not have imagined spending it with a better person. The private tour was perfect, allowed me to explore at my own pace, and have a natural pace to the day, which is sometimes difficult when you have a strict schedule in group tours. Virgil is knowledgable and thoughtful, curious about the world and people which added so much personalization to this tour. Kamakura is such a beautiful little city with a rich history, and Virgil brought that to life.
Brbara_M, Jul 2024
Virgil was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and very sweet he made sure we arrive in time because I got lost.
Joe_M, Jul 2024
Virgil was a fantastic guide giving interesting details of the various places we visited, while offering flexibility to visit other sights on our own to maximize time. Thank you Virgil.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
A big thanks to all three of you for making my day with you a truly enjoyable one! Your boundless energy and enthusiasm was amazing - and infectious! And so was your joie de vivre! Thank you!
Alan_R, May 2024
I can see why Virgil gets only 5-star ratings - he is the best! Super guide, fascinating personal story, flexible in handling our slow walking, great lunch - a perfect day!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for such a stellar review. It was a great pleasure meeting you! My apologies for failing to drop you a line as I had promised, and your booking has now disappeared from my page so I have no other way to contact you but here. If you do get to read this, my email is virgilcalaguian@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from you. Warmest regards...Virgil
ANNE_H, May 2024
My young adult son and I did indeed have a fun and also fascinating afternoon with Virgil in Kamakura. We were also blessed with sunshine and although the town was packed as it was a Sunday and during a long weekend, Virgil expertly navigated us to the main attractions and shared his expert knowledge. He was professional, personable and kind.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for such a kind review! Showing you and your son around Kamakura and sharing my knowledge of Japanese history and culture gave me such immense pleasure, especially because both of you showed such intelligent interest and deep appreciation for it. Thank you!
James_C, May 2024
This tour was the highlight of my trip to Japan. Incredibly informative history and background on Kamakura, and we hit all the highlights. Virgil is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met and has become a close friend. You should not miss this tour as this is a hidden gem!
Response from Host, May 2024
The feeling is mutual: You are one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met! Thank you for taking the tour and coming into my life!
Tiffany_V, Oct 2023
Thank you so much for the tour. My guide was very informative of Japanese history. I loved my Kamakura tour and highly recommend.
Response from Host, May 2024
It was lovely meeting you and showing you around Kamakura. Come and visit again someday!
Angela_F, Jul 2023
Virgil was amazing! Extremely knowledgeable and clearly loves to share his experience and love of Japanese history with his guests. We would HIGHLY recommend touring Kamakura with Virgil!
John & Angela
Anabella_O, Jul 2023
Virgilio was an absolute delight. It was a pleasure to hear all the interesting facts and stories about each place. Our four teenage children loved him, he was so patient and kind with all the questions, with every stop to try new things, it truly felt like traveling with an old friend.
Robert_P, May 2023
Our visit to Kamakura was the highlight of our vacation. The tour guide, Virgil, guided us through the different sites we visited with the precision to expose us to the most interesting locations. His explanations of the historical aspects of the sites gave depth to the tour that couldn't have been found on our own. He was a caring guide who lead us in an unhurried way that gave us time to enjoy each site and took photos with our cameras along the way. His knowledge of the sites, the culture, the language and his clearly spoken English made the day exceptionally enjoyable and insightful.
From $106.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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When Emperors Reigned and Shoguns Ruled
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