Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Tokyo, Japan
- 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Kamakura served as Japan's capital from the 12th to the 14th century and is home to a concentration of temples and shrines that requires local knowledge to navigate efficiently—particularly for visitors with limited time in the city. This guided day tour covers Hase-dera Temple, Hokokuji Temple, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, with a guide providing historical context at each stop.
- Visit multiple temples with context and insight from a local
- Hotel pickup and drop-off ensure a hassle-free day
- Benefit from the undivided attention of your guide on this private tour
- Check off plenty without the hassle of organizing a route
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Private tour
- Meeting in the hotel lobby
- Your transportation cost about 3000 JPY per person¥3,000.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura)¥300.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Hokokuji Temple (Takedera Temple)¥400.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Hase-dera Temple¥400.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
At your hotel lobby in Tokyo. Hotel meeting and parting ensures a hassle-free day
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Kotoku-in - Great Buddha of Kamakura
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Hasedera Temple
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Hokoku-ji Temple
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 2 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Infant seats available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- 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 49 reviews
cmholgash, May 2026
Kono San was a very good tour guide. He met us at our hotel in Tokyo Kaand then had us traipse along on schedule for each train, then to next train connection and then another. We also had to take a bus to a few stops. There is NO WAY we would be able to maneuver through all of these trains and buses. We saw the Giant Buddha which was incredible and we were able to go inside. Luckily, it was only 70 degrees outside so the Buddha wasn't hot inside. Hokoku-ji Temple is very famous for its Bamboo Garden which we walked through. Kono San took us to experience a typical selling street. It was scenic overload...so many shops, so many people. We stopped for a lemon drink and had some yummy ice cream. He photographed us at various best vantage points and emailed us the pictures. Kono San is a lovely man, and very spry for 70 years old. My one complaint is he doesn't
have a mastery of the English language, so sometimes he wouldn't be able to answer some questions. Often he would Google if I asked something in particular. But by most accounts, we could not see these sites on our own coming from Tokyo.
Debbie_K, May 2026
We had a fabulous day spent in Kamakura with our guide Hideki we walked everywhere due to the Golden Week crowds. His itinerary for us was perfect got to see all the highlights and his explanation of each and every site. Thank you for a lovely day
yolanda_a, Apr 2026
Akira San took his time explaining all the sites we visited as well as the significance of it to the Japanese culture. He was very accommodating. He gave us enough time at each site.
Giorgia_Z, Apr 2026
The tour is offered by a Japanese gentleman. He's very kind and nice. He let us visit at our own peace, without rushing. It was a very interesting visit that I can definitely recommend!
Gordon_W, Apr 2026
We had a great day in Kamakura with our Guide Kono-san despite some rainy weather. It is a town steeped in history and provides visitors with a great insight into the history, religion and beliefs that underpin Japanese society. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about all the sights we visited. The Sakura was in full bloom as were many of the peony roses in the garden which brightened up a dull day.
Justin_G, Mar 2026
I had a wonderful day with Kono-san. He was very knowledgeable and even took pictures of me with a real camera that he sent to me after the tour. I would highly recommend this tour
Amanda_Y, Mar 2026
We had a wonderful day in Kamakura with Kono. He took us to the most beautiful sites and navigated everything seamlessly! Highly recommend!
Michael_S, Mar 2026
The trip to Kamakura provides insight into the spiritual culture of Japan. Our guide Hideaki Murayama was enthusiastic in ensuring we understood various subtleties concerning the shrines that would have otherwise been lost to us. He also introduced us to Okonomiyaki, a style of lunch we would normally not have been aware of.
Herbert_H, Jan 2026
Great Trip with an experienced guide, liked the town, history and Temple and Shrine.
Very nice small Temple. (Beautiful)
Was a good day.
Thanks
Elizabeth_P, May 2025
Kono san was an excellent guide and Kamakura is a wonderful place to visit. The area is by the ocean and there is so much to see and explore. I wish we had more time to spend in Kamakura but the sights we got to see were stunning, especially the Giant Buddha! Kono san met us at our hotel in Tokyo and navigated us to and from Kamakura which was really helpful and saved us time trying to figure out train transfers and bus transportation once we arrived in Kamakura. We would highly recommend this tour! We would suggest that additional time in Kamakura be added to the tour to see more sights! We greatly appreciated Kono san’s efforts to ensure we had a wonderful day!
CZARINA_A, May 2025
It was a very good experience. We learned a lot. Our guide Mura-san was very knowledgeable and accomodating.
Well recommended tour! :)
May_D, Apr 2025
Our tour guide came right on time at the hotel. Yoshi is very kind and knowledgeable , guided us for the transportation and it was a good experience since it was our first time in Tokyo and train ride was a challenge.
Jonathan_G, Apr 2025
Yumiko was a fantastic guide—she helped us navigate the trains to Kamakura and then took us to all the best parts of the city. She explained the history behind the sites and took fantastic pictures of us as well. We couldn’t have had such a great day without her. Highly recommended!!
Jake_G, Apr 2025
We visited 10 cities over two weeks in Japan, and this trip was easily one of the best. Our tour guide, Akira—a local and native Japanese—was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, patient yet softly regimented, and truly embodied what it means to be a guide.
Lilia_Y, Apr 2025
Excellent tour and explanation.
Akira Kamada (the guide) give us a great explanation and we finished all the points in perfect time. He takes care about the group, also if someone like me has allergies about the food, he looks for a restaurant where you can eat.
Nay_A, Apr 2025
First time in Japan and also meant to be for our wedding anniversary, such an amazing experience in Karmarkura. We had our private tour, Mr Kono San, I recommend him because he was so patient with us, and took us around Kamakura places and explained the traditions of Japanese culture. Also helped us to booked for a JR pass at Tokyo station. He was so kind. Thank you Kono San ❤️🙇
Donna_B, Apr 2025
Punctual hotel pickup by pleasant, organized courteous, professional guide Akira. This gentleman is an effective communicator and outstanding knowledge expert. I learned so much from Akira. His positive personality added to the day and he proved to be an amazingly helpful problem solver with his recommendations for my travel to Kyoto.
Spending a day with a trustworthy highest level of knowledge expert was a comfortable experience and I am grateful Akira was my guide. He made a positive difference and I highly recommend Akira and this tour.
Karen_L, Apr 2025
Wonderful destination, but the language barrier with our guide dampened what could’ve been a wonderful experience.
David_M, Mar 2025
Was exactly what we wanted! Our guide, Akira met us promptly at our hotel lobby in Tokyo. Had a typed itinerary ready to go! Helped navigate the trains to Kamakura. Once we arrived toured and visited several sites. Akira was awesome as he gave detailed information about each sites history and significance. This made the visits much more enjoyable for us being English speaking. Akira helped pick a great lunch spot in around the main train station. After lunch additional touring and then return to Tokyo. Again, Akira made this day trip a highlight of our Japan visit!
Laura_H, Mar 2025
Our guide really knew the areas of Kamakura! Excellent tour and really informative. Akira Kamala took us to a great place for lunch.
Megan_N, Feb 2025
Yoshi guided us personally through a jam packed day tour without rushing us and ensured we hit all the highlights, including a delicious lunch, while remaining on schedule. We had a beautiful day in Kamakura and Yoshi's knowledge and guidance enhanced this experience.
Alison_O, Feb 2025
This was an excellent tour with lots to see in the Kamakura area. Know that you will log a lot of steps, and ride multiple trains from Tokyo. We are grateful to our guide, Kono-San, who was very knowledgeable about the area and the history. His English was great and he is a good communicator. We could not have navigated the visit without him. Thank you!
Dale_T, Jan 2025
It was a fantastic contrast between the bustle of Tokyo and the tranquility of Kamakura. We absolutely loved it!
Our guide Yumi was superb. A lovely lady who looked after us so well. 😊👏❤️
Alejandra_W, Jun 2024
If you like visiting temples and shrines, with the history attached to them, this is another must -see. Because it was June, we also had the opportunity to see the hydrangeas in full bloom in Hase-dera - such an amazing display! The enormous bronze Buddha at Kotoku-in is impressive and you can walk inside it (not good for claustrophobics). Same for the lotus and the carps at Tsurugaoka - just great peaceful, natural places. The only con was our guide - he seemed very set on his ways, with a prepared narrative, that didn’t take into account that we had learned some information in our prior week in Japan, nor allowed any questions that went beyond what he was prepared to talk about. On several occasions, he would simply walk ahead of us, without indicating where he was going or what he was doing, at times much too fast for us, not checking if we were still with him until he was far ahead. Perhaps the issue was a language barrier, or a cultural one, but it did sour our experience and it made us feel like he would rather be somewhere else. A shame, as we’ve had multiple tours with Viator and have never experienced something similar. We ended getting off the train at an earlier station on our return to Tokyo, just to decompress.
Paul_N, Jun 2024
We had a great day and would not have been able to have seen so much on our own. Very friendly and knowledgeable guide.
Marie_Q, Jun 2024
A private tour of Kamakura with a professional guide as Akira provided an enriching and detailed experience of this historic city. Akira pickup us at the hotel in Tokyo and helped us navigate to Kamakura and the sights smmothely. He possed deep knowledge of Kamakura’s history, culture and landmark. Akira offered insights into the significance of sites like the Great Buddha’s.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Marie-san
I got a message from Fulfilling to the effect that your rating to my guide was 5.
I’m very happy to hear that. I will do my best for tour guides assigned to me.
By the way, I hope that your daughter could recover from stomachache.
I hope that you were travelling with your nice family continuously.
Thanks and best regards,
Akira
Timothy_K, May 2024
Our tour guide, Yumi, did a fantastic job showing us around Kamakura and the various shrines and temples in the area. She was knowledgeable about the history of Japan, how the emperors and shogun shaped the culture of Japan, and any questions we had. Plus she gave a great recommendation for noodles for lunch. Thank you!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Timothy and family
I am very happy to receive your compliments.
It was my pleasure to show you around.
I am glad you liked the beautiful hydrangea
and delicious noodles in Kamakura.
Best regards,
Yumiko Sano
Valerie_B, May 2024
Yumiko was the most charming, helpful and knowledgeable guide. We really enjoyed our day with her and would highly recommend this tour to everyone. If you want a day trip from Tokyo - this is one to do and request Yumiko. I believe she also does tours in Tokyo city.
Nicola_M, Apr 2024
Great to have a guide to help us navigate buses to each site. Kono Sun was lovely but his English a bit limited and he walks very fast.
Teresa_M, Apr 2024
Today’s adventure had us travel 1 hour to Kamakura, which a coastal town in Kanagawa. We saw the Great Buddha Statue and climbed to the Hasedera Temple built in 1333. We then went to Hokokuji Temple and the bamboo forest. We ended the day at the most magical tea house. We had a wonderful day in Kamakura! It is a beautiful city with cute shops and streets filled with stunning cherry blossoms. Our guide Yoshi met us at the hotel and he was delightful. Very knowledgeable and so kind. He made sure we stopped to get my daughters goshuincho book signed at each stop. There is a very pretty music box store where you can make your own music box. Had I known I would have made time for this! Next time as we all agreed it was a stunning city. Thank you Yoshi for a wonderful day!
From $141.69
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Exciting Kamakura - One Day Tour from Tokyo
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