How to Spend a Perfect Day in Kamakura with Travel Map

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Check Point
・Attractive temples including Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

・Komachi-dori, where you can enjoy eating while walking

・Townscape with a sense of history

Kamakura, once the site of the shogunate, is a historic city with many fascinating temples. This model itinerary introduces popular sightseeing spots around Kamakura Station and Kita-Kamakura Station, including the particularly famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Not only will you get a feel for history, but you’ll also get to sample the local food on the famous Komachi Street.

 ★★★★★

 6 h 30

 2740 yen

 ★★★★☆


Itinerary Map

Navigation

【Start】
①Kita-Kamakura Station

★Route time required:a few minutes
After leaving the station, walk along the tracks and you will soon see the temple steps on your left.

②Engaku-ji Temple

★Route time required:10 min
After leaving Engakuji Temple, turn left and continue along the railroad tracks until you reach the road, then turn left and continue along the river to reach your next destination.

③Meigetsu-in Temple

★Route time required:10 min
Return the way you came and when you reach the road you turned left and continue along the road until you see a gate on your left.

④Kencho-ji Temple

★Route time required:15 min
Continue along the street and when you reach the bottom of the hill, turn left into the shrine.

⑤Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

★Route time required:a few minutes
After leaving Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, turn right, then turn left at the end and enter the street.

⑥Komachi Street

★Route time required:10 min
When you arrive at Kamakura Station, take the bus from the East Exit ④ of the bus terminal in front of the station to Kamakura Bus Terminal, and board the bus on lines 23, 24, or 36 (220 yen). Get off at the next bus stop, Sugimoto Kannon, and follow the direction the bus is going and you will see the entrance on your left.

⑦Sugimoto Temple

★Route time required:10 min
Return to the street and continue along the road, cross right at the second traffic light and continue along the road until you reach the next temple.

⑧Hokoku-ji Temple

★Route time required:5 min
Return to the street and continue walking until you see the entrance to the temple at the end of the street to the left of the pharmacy.

⑨Jomyo-ji Temple

★Route time required:15 min
Return back to the Jomyoji bus stop at the junction leading to Hokokuji Temple and take bus lines 23, 24 or 36 back to Kamakura Station (220 yen).

【Goal】
Kamakura Station


Click the square mark on the top left of the map to see a list of tourist spots. If you open the enlarge button on the top right corner on your smartphone, this model course will be displayed on Google Maps along with its location information. You can also quickly return to this map from the table of contents in the sidebar (if using a smartphone, select “Go to table of contents” from the menu at the bottom of the screen).


①Kita-Kamakura Station


★Route time required:a few minutes

After leaving the station, walk along the tracks and you will soon see the temple steps on your left.


②Engaku-ji Temple

Engaku-ji Temple

Time required : 40 min

Admission fee:500 yen

Opening hour:8h30 am – 4h30 pm
(until 4 pm December – February)

Close:No

This is the second-highest temple in the Kamakura Five Mountains, built by Mugaku Sogen, the Zen master of Hojo Tokimune, the 8th regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. It was built to mourn those who died during the Mongol invasion, regardless of whether they were friend or foe. The name comes from the Engaku-kyo, a Mahayana sutra, which was excavated when the temple was built.

The site is surrounded by small mountains and hills, creating a long and narrow valley called Yato, giving it depth. Natsume Soseki also visited the temple, and the Sanmon Gate at the entrance was also the setting for his Sakumon gate. The Buddha hall beyond the Sanmon Gate enshrines the Shaka Nyorai, the principal image of the temple, and is called the Treasured Crowned Shaka Nyorai because of the crown it is wearing. There is also a painting of a white dragon on the ceiling.

a painting of a white dragon on the ceiling


Further up the gentle slope is Butsuni-an, the grave of Hojo Tokimune, and behind that is the Shariden, a national treasure. The tooth of Buddha that Minamoto no Yoritomo brought from Nonin-ji Temple in Song is enshrined here, and the exterior is only open to the public during the first three days of the New Year and around November 3rd. A little further to the right from the Shariden is a hole called Hakuroku-do, and it is said that a white deer passed through this hole to listen to a sermon during the temple’s opening ceremony. On your way back, if you go up the stairs that continue from the narrow path beyond the Butsuden, you will find the Ogane Bell, a national treasure.

the Ogane Bell

It was donated by Tokimune’s son, Hojo Sadatoki, in 1301 and is the tallest in the Kanto region at 259.5cm. After failing twice to make this bell, Sadatoki retreated to Enoshima and prayed for seven days to Benzaiten, and was successful. For this reason, there is a Bentendo temple near this bell.


★Route time required:10 min

After leaving Engakuji Temple, turn left and continue along the railroad tracks until you reach the road, then turn left and continue along the river to reach your next destination.


③Meigetsu-in Temple

Meigetsu-in Temple

Time required : 30 min

Admission fee:500 yen
(The garden behind the main hall costs an additional 500 yen.)

Opening hour:9 am – 4 pm

Close:No

This place is famous as a hydrangea temple, with approximately 2,500 hydrangeas planted. During the rainy season, the beautiful blue flowers bloom in full glory, and the color is also known as Meigetsuin Blue.

There used to be a large temple called Mikoshi Temple, but it was abandoned during the Meiji period and only Meigetsuin remains. The round window in the hojo, known as the Window of Enlightenment, is also famous, and the view from it changes depending on the season, which is an attractive feature.

the Window of Enlightenment

The garden beyond the window can be visited from late May to early June when the irises bloom, and from late November to early December when the leaves change color. On the east side is a dug cave called Meigetsuin Yagura, which is the largest in the Kanto region, with a width of 7m, depth of 6m and height of 3m.

Also, because the name includes the character for “moon,” the temple has a connection with rabbits, and there are rabbit and turtle ornaments on the bridge at the entrance, as well as a rabbit hutch known as the “space station” on the premises.

Meigetsuin Temple: The Tortoise and the Rabbit


★Route time required:10 min

Return the way you came and when you reach the road you turned left and continue along the road until you see a gate on your left.


④Kencho-ji Temple

Kencho-ji Temple

Time required : 1 h

Admission fee:500 yen

Opening hour:8h30 am – 4h30 pm

Close:No

This is a historic temple ranked first among the Five Mountains of Kamakura, and is also the origin of the name of the dish Kenchinjiru. It was built by Hojo Tokiyori in a valley that was once known as Jigokudani, a place of execution for criminals, and like Engaku-ji Temple, has a deep site.

The lecture hall beyond the Sanmon gate, which is said to free one from all attachments when one passes through it, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is the largest in the Kanto region. Jizo Bodhisattva is enshrined inside, and on the ceiling is a painting of a cloud dragon commemorating the 750th anniversary of the temple’s founding, and inside the hall is a replica of the statue of Shakyamuni in asceticism, which was donated by Pakistan after the Aichi Expo.

Kenchoji Temple - View of the lecture hall

Normally, Shaka Nyorai is the principal image in Zen temples, but the temple that stood on this site before Kenchoji Temple was built had Jizo Bodhisattva as its principal image, and this continues to be the case at Kencho-ji Temple as well.

A magnificent Japanese garden can be seen in the Hojo behind the Hatto hall.

garden in Kencho-ji Temple


Further back there is a path that leads to the hiking trail on top of the mountain. Along the way there is a place called Mushizuka, where people pray for the insects that were killed with insecticides. The site is like a piece of modern art, and was created by artists such as Takeshi Yoroi and Kengo Kuma.

Mushizuka


Further up the stairs, you will come to the hall of Hansobo, the guardian deity of the Kencho-ji Temple grounds. Hansobo Daigongen is a white-haired old man who appeared before Mumon Gensen Zenji and forced him to become his disciple. He is said to have supernatural powers, and is thought to be a Tengu because of his long nose. For this reason, there are 12 Karasu Tengu statues on the stairs leading to the hall.

Karasu Tengu statues

There is an observation deck at the entrance to the hiking trail ahead, from which you can see the city of Kamakura, the sea, and, if the weather is good, even Mount Fuji.


★Route time required:15 min

Continue along the street and when you reach the bottom of the hill, turn left into the shrine.


⑤Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Time required : 40 min

Admission fee:0 yen

Opening hour:6 am – 8 pm

Close:No

This shrine is a popular tourist spot in Kamakura. It was originally enshrined by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi who enshrined a branch of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto near Yuigahama in Kamakura, and later Minamoto no Yoritomo moved it to its current location. It was originally moved to Wakamiya Shrine within the current Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, but it was destroyed by fire in 1191. So the mountain was cut down and the current Honmiya Shrine was established. Due to this event and its relative locations, Honmiya Shrine is called Kamimiya Shrine and Wakamiya Shrine is called Shimomiya Shrine, and it is said that Minamoto no Yoritomo’s visit to Wakamiya Shrine was the trigger for the spread of Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) in Japan. Due to these circumstances, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine was built as the guardian deity of the Genji clan, but later became the guardian deity of the samurai of Kamakura. Three deities are enshrined here: Emperor Ojin, the 15th emperor, his mother Empress Jingu, and Himegami.

The Honmiya Shrine was built in the Heian period and uses a style of architecture called Nagaregongen-zukuri which has a roof edge that resembles a U-shape and was popular during the Edo period, and was rebuilt by Tokugawa Ienari in 1828. There are many other sights to see on the premises, including a museum, and the dance hall built on the former site of the Wakamiya Corridor is where Shizuka Gozen, the wife of Genno Yoshitsune, danced thinking of him, and is called Shimohaiden. Genpei Pond has two ponds, Genji Pond and Heike Pond, and the three islands of Genji Pond represent birth and prosperity, while the four islands of Heike Pond represent death. Also, doves are messengers of the god of Hachiman Shrine, and if you look closely at the characters for Hachiman Shrine above the entrance to the main shrine, you will see that the number eight is actually a dove.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine - Hato no ji


There are actually pigeons on the premises, and this was the inspiration for the creation of Kamakura’s specialty Hato Sable.

Hato Sable


★Route time required:a few minutes

After leaving Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, turn right, then turn left at the end and enter the street.


⑥Komachi Street

Komachi Street

Time required : 30 min

This is a famous shopping street in Kamakura. The street is about 360 meters long and continues to Kamakura Station, with about 250 shops. In the past, it was just fields, but the construction of Kamakura Station led to the development of the area into what it is today. There are many souvenir shops and restaurants lined up, making it a great place to eat while walking around. We also recommend taking a break here.


★Route time required:10 min

When you arrive at Kamakura Station, take the bus from the East Exit ④ of the bus terminal in front of the station to Kamakura Bus Terminal, and board the bus on lines 23, 24, or 36 (220 yen). Get off at the next bus stop, Sugimoto Kannon, and follow the direction the bus is going and you will see the entrance on your left.


⑦Sugimoto Temple

Sugimoto Temple

Time required : 30 min

Admission fee:300 yen

Opening hour:9 am – 4 pm

Close:No

Built by Gyoki in 734, this is the oldest temple in Kamakura and is famous for its moss-covered staircase. When Gyoki came to this area, he decided to place a Kannon statue here, and carved one himself and enshrined it. Later, Empress Komyo, wife of Emperor Shomu, received a prophecy and built the main hall. In addition to Gyoki’s Kannon statue, there are two other Kannon statues enshrined here, but these are only open to the public on the 1st and 18th of each month. On other days, the strings tied to the statues’ fingers stretch outside the main hall. These three Kannon statues came to be called Sugimoto Kannon because they had taken refuge under a large cedar tree (Sugi in Japanese) during a fire. You can also see the surrounding townscape as you reach a high point via the stairs.


★Route time required:10 min

Return to the street and continue along the road, cross right at the second traffic light and continue along the road until you reach the next temple.


⑧Hokoku-ji Temple

Hokoku-ji Temple

Time required : 30 min

Admission fee:400 yen

Opening hour:9 am – 4 pm

Close:No

This temple is famous for its bamboo forest, with approximately 2,000 bamboo trees planted. It was built in 1334 to commemorate Ashikaga Ietoki, the grandfather of Ashikaga Takauji. Near the entrance, there are attractions such as a dry landscape garden and a cave tomb (or yagura) where the graves of Ietoki and other deities are placed. The teahouse where you can take a break while looking out over the bamboo forest is also popular.


★Route time required:5 min

Return to the street and continue walking until you see the entrance to the temple at the end of the street to the left of the pharmacy.


⑨Jomyo-ji Temple

Jomyo-ji Temple

Time required : 30 min

Admission fee:100 yen

Opening hour:9 am – 4h30 pm

Close:No

Built in 1188 by Ashikaga Yoshikane, a senior vassal of Minamoto no Yoritomo, this temple is the fifth of the Kamakura Five Mountains. It once served as the Ashikaga clan’s base in Kamakura. Behind the main hall is a cemetery, and in one corner of it lies the remains of Ashikaga Sadauji, father of Ashikaga Takauji.

As a temple, there is relatively little to see, but the more popular restaurants are Kisenan, a teahouse overlooking the dry landscape garden, and the Ishigama Garden Terrace in the English garden.


★Route time required:15 min

Return back to the Jomyoji bus stop at the junction leading to Hokokuji Temple and take bus lines 23, 24 or 36 back to Kamakura Station (220 yen).



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