The Perfect Kamakura Day Trip From Tokyo (One Day Itinerary)

Planning to take a Kamakura day trip from Tokyo? We’ve put together the perfect one day itinerary for first-time visitors!

Kamakura is a picturesque town with an ocean view, old shrines and temples, and delicious local food. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, around one hour away from Tokyo and Yokohama, this place is the perfect getaway for those wanting to escape the busy streets of the big cities for a while.

In the aftermath of the Gempei War (1180–1185), the first shogun of Japan (Minamoto no Yoritomo) made Kamakura the capital of his military government, which lasted for over a century. In Japan, this era is known as the Kamakura Period (1185–1333).

Knowing this, it probably won’t come as a surprise that Kamakura turned into a flourishing town. Today, it’s known for its many temples, beaches and hydrangea flowers blooming in June.

Planning the perfect trip to Kamakura is not easy, as which temples and shrines are worth visiting depends highly on the season. We’ve put together this guide to show you where to go to enjoy one day in Kamakura, regardless of the time of the year. Let’s take a look!

Kamakura Day Trip Overview & Map

No time to read the full guide? No problem! Here is a quick overview of the Enoshima and Kamakura day trip itinerary and a map with all points of interest:

One Day Kamakura Itinerary 

Here is how you can make the most out of a day trip to Kamakura and Enoshima. 

1. Travel to Kamakura from Tokyo 

Kamakura is easily accessible from Tokyo via the Odakyu or Yokosuka Line. Make sure to depart in the early morning, as most temples and shrines in Kamakura and Enoshima close around 4 PM or 5 PM.

The Yokosuka Line departs from Tokyo Station (with stops in Shimbashi, Shinagawa and Yokohama along the way) and will directly bring you to Kamakura Station for around 900 Yen. 

If you’ve purchased the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass, you have to board the train from Shinjuku. This special ticket gives you unlimited train rides on the Odakyu and Enoden Line for 24 hours and discounts for participating facilities in the designated area. 

As this guide assumes that you’ll have only one day to explore the whole area and see the most important places in a convenient order, it will follow an itinerary starting from Shinjuku Station via the Odakyu Line, going to Enoshima and then to Kamakura.

2. Arrive at Katase-Enoshima Station  

The train ride to Katase-Enoshima Station, the last stop on the Odakyu Enoshima Line, will take you a little bit more than one hour.

The architecture of the station building is fairly unique and definitely worth some attention upon arrival. It’s a recreation of the underwater palace of the ancient dragon deity Ryūjin, a well-known figure in traditional Japanese folklore.

From Katase-Enoshima Station, you need no more than a 10-minute walk to reach Enoshima.

Since there aren’t any convenience stores in Enoshima, you might want to buy some snacks or drinks near the station beforehand (if you haven’t already in Tokyo). But no need to worry! You won’t face any trouble finding street food stalls or restaurants on the island. 

3. Explore Enoshima

Enoshima is a small island off the coast of Japan, a 30-minute train ride away from Kamakura. It has been a source of inspiration for some of the famous 19th-century woodblock prints by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige, as well as local myths.

According to legend, Enoshima was created when a dragon with five heads tormented the people of Koshigoe and stole their children. For many days, dense clouds formed over the sea near the coast until an island rose from the troubled waters, summoned by a heavenly maiden called Benzaiten who soothed the dragon’s temper.

Your first stop on Enoshima will be Nakamise Street. Shops on this narrow slope alley mainly sell street food and souvenirs. Particularly popular among visitors are Tako Senbei – octopus-flavoured crackers that are at least seven times the size of a regular Japanese Senbei. 

Walking up the alley, you’ll eventually reach the entrance gate of Enoshima-jinja, the main shrine of the island dedicated to Benzaiten. You can either climb up the staircase or buy an escalator ticket to reach the shrine and the higher locations. Either way, just keep following the path uphill from here.

With some smaller observatory terraces surrounded by trees, and the sea peeking through the greenery here and there on the way, Enoshima is an utterly beautiful and scenic destination with many photo-worthy spots.

For a view from high above, enter Samuel Cocking Garden on the top of Enoshima. With the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass, you can get a discount for the Enoshima Sea Candle. This is a 60-metre-high observatory tower in the botanical garden. Facing West, you can even spot Mt. Fuji on the horizon if you visit on a nearly cloudless day.

Before returning to Nakamise Street, explore the sharp-edged cliffs and gloomy caves in the southwestern corner of Enoshima. Among the most famous spots are Enoshima Iwaya Cave, which was naturally carved by the sea, and Yama Futatsu, two mountains scenically framing the ocean waves in the background. Or ring the Dragon Love Bell, a memorial in honour of the Enoshima legend.

In total, you should not spend more than 2–3 hours on the island, given that you want to explore both Enoshima and Kamakura in one day. If you prefer to explore more temples in Kamakura (see number 7), you can also skip or cut short on Enoshima by going directly to Hase-dera via the Enoden Line.

4. Take the train to Hasedera 

After leaving Enoshima, hop on the Enoden Line and lean back for around 20 minutes until you reach Hase Station. Hasedera lies within walking distance of the train station, around 5 minutes on foot. A discount on the admission fee is included in the Freepass.

With its beautiful garden behind the entrance, small koi carp ponds and a wooden terrace with an ocean view close to the main hall of the temple, Hasedera is an ideal place to take a small break. 

The temple itself was built in the 8th century. It’s home to an eleven-headed gilded statue of Kannon, the Japanese goddess of mercy, measuring approximately 10 metres in height. 

Also known as a worthwhile hydrangea spot in June, Hasedera has a trail entirely lined by these blue-purple flowers. Due to its narrowness, access to the hydrangea path is limited to those who possess a separate numbered ticket. You can get one at the temple entrance.

5. Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha (or Kamakura Daibutsu) is arguably the most representative landmark of Kamakura. From Hasedera, you can reach Kōtoku-in, the temple that is home to this huge monument built in the 13th century, within 10 minutes on foot.

With 13.35 metres in height, including the base, it is one of the biggest bronze Buddha statues in Japan. Even though this is an impressive and must-see sight, there is not much to see in Kōtoku-in, so you won’t need a lot of time to visit this place.

6. Stroll around Komachi Street 

After leaving Kōtoku-in, go back to Hase Station and take the Enoden Line to Kamakura Station. The train ride will take you only 5 minutes. 

Adjacent to Kamakura Station lies Komachi Street, a small alley with lots of restaurants, cafés and shops that sell all sorts of local specialities and souvenirs. It’s the perfect opportunity to savour some good food and get familiar with the local cuisine.

Kanagawa Prefecture is famous for Namashirasu-don, a rice bowl topped with raw whitebait – tiny sardines that are mild in flavour and creamy in texture. You’ll find this tasty dish in restaurants everywhere across Kamakura and Enoshima. 

7. Explore the temples of Kamakura

Depending on how long you spend exploring Enoshima, you might not have time to see the other temples around Kamakura. However, if you do, there are tons to choose from. Our favourites include Hokoku-ji, Meigetsu-in, and Kenchō-ji.

All of the temples below are located northeast of Kamakura Station, which means they are not accessible by the Odakyu or Enoden Line (and therefore not included in the Freepass). 

Hokoku-ji is famous for its bamboo grove and tea house. From Kamakura Station, you can reach this temple in around 10 minutes by bus or 30 minutes on foot. 

Meigetsu-in is one of the most frequently visited temples of Kamakura in June, thanks to all of the hydrangea flowers blooming during the rainy season. It’s also known for the round window of the main temple hall, majestically framing the view of the garden behind it. Going there from Kamakura Station will either take you 10 minutes by train (with arrival at Kita-Kamakura Station) or 30 minutes on foot.

Established in 1253, Kenchō-ji is known to be the oldest and most important Zen temple of Kamakura, rich in history and a hoard of multiple national treasures of Japan. 

8. Watch the Sunset in Inamuragasaki

Depending on how favourable the weather conditions on the day of your visit are, watching the sunset by the ocean is the perfect way to end this Kamakura itinerary. 

Take the Enoden Line from Kamakura Station to Inamuragasaki Station and walk to Cape Inamuragasaki, an often overlooked destination in Kamakura. You’ll pass by Inamuragasaki Station on your way back to Fujisawa Station, which makes a detour to this spot before returning to Tokyo fairly easily.

While walking along the shore, take in the view of the sea and the mountains on the horizon. For an even better view, hike up the stairs of Inamuragasaki Park. On a clear day, you’ll be gifted with a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji!

9. Take the Train Back to Tokyo 

After watching the sunset, it’s time to go back to Tokyo. Take the Enoden Line from Inamuragasaki Station to Fujisawa Station and board the Odakyu Line back to Shinjuku. You can check out the train schedules for the Odakyu Line bound for Shinjuku on their official website.

If you don’t use the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass and want to go back to Tokyo directly from Kamakura Station, you can also return by using the JR Yokosuka Line. 

What is the Best Season to Visit Kamakura? 

No matter if it’s for chasing plum and cherry blossoms in spring, an extensive autumn stroll through a temple garden or taking a picture of the Great Buddha on a snowy day, a trip to Kamakura is beautiful during any season.

Yet, one of the most magical times to visit Kamakura must be the hydrangea season. Throughout June, famous temples like Meigetsu-in (also known as the hydrangea temple), Hase-Dera and other spots are covered in copious amounts of blue, pink and purple.

How to Get to Kamakura From Tokyo 

As previously outlined, there are multiple ways to conveniently get from Tokyo to Kamakura.

You can either board the train from Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Line to Fujisawa Station and transfer to the Enoden Line to arrive in Kamakura. If you go all the way to Katase-Enoshima Station you need to walk a couple of minutes to Enoshima Station and board the Enoden Line from there. 

Or you can directly go to Kamakura by JR Yokosuka Line departing from Tokyo Station, as well as Shinagawa, Shimbashi and Yokohama Station. If you do so, you can use the JR Pass.

Is the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass worth it for one day? 

The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass gives you unlimited train rides on the Odakyu and Enoden Line for 24 hours. On top of that, there are discounts for some facilities and sights in and around the Enoshima and Kamakura area.

The Freepass is available for 1.640 Yen from Shinjuku or 840 Yen from Fujisawa. Normally, a round trip from Shinjuku to Enoshima by Odakyu Line costs around 1.200 Yen. In addition, every single train ride in the designated area comes at an expense of around 200 Yen.

If you ride the train at least three more times and save money through discounts on some local attractions, the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass will be worth it for one day. And if you’re planning to follow this Enoshima and Kamakura day trip itinerary, we definitely recommend it!

However, don’t forget you’ll be limited to the Odakyu and Enoden Line. If you want to see temples such as Meigetsu-in that are located further away from these lines, you might have to pay for buses or extra train rides up to Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. 

On your way back, you’ll also have to take the Odakyu Line to return to Shinjuku instead of going directly from Kamakura Station via the Yokosuka Line, so calculate a little extra time for that.

Conclusion – Is Kamakura Worth a Day Trip? 

A day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo is totally worth it. Kamakura is a beautiful town with a long history, serene temples and a lovely view of the ocean. If you only have one day to dedicate to it in your Japan itinerary, you can see a lot of the main sights.

However, one day will not be enough to see everything. Temples and shrines, as well as most shops and restaurants, tend to close early, so expect to visit all the important sights between 8AM and 5PM.

While going to Enoshima and Kamakura in one day is certainly possible, it might be a bit too packed for people who like slow travelling. If you prefer taking your time exploring cities, consider adding an extra day to your Kamakura itinerary.

If you’re looking for more day trips from Tokyo, check out our guides on how to spend one day in Nikko, Hakone and Kawagoe.