It’s no secret that Japan is on everyone’s travel list. As a seasoned traveller myself, I have been to Japan a handful of times, but Kamakura has a special place in my heart (and stomach). Located an hour and a half away just south of Tokyo, Kamaura is a seaside city with quaint cafes, tranquil temples, and fresh seafood—perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay. In this guide, I’ll take you on a journey through Kamaura’s famous train cafe, walk you through the Sanmon Gate and explore the surrounding temples and shrines, shop with you at the Komachi Dora street and much more—I’ll even throw in an ancient temple I stumbled upon.
Getting to Kamakura
The first, and arguably trickiest part of the trip is the transport—how do I get to Kamakura? Well, it begins at Shinjuku Station.
There are two ways to go about this, you could either purchase the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass (online at odakyu.jp or at Odakyu sightseeing centres and ticket vending machines at Shinjuku Station) or purchase a regular rain ticket to Kamakura.
What’s the difference? Let me break it down for you:
| Feature | Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass (Valid for 1 day) | Regular Train Ticket to Kamakura |
| Price (From Shinjuku) | ¥1,640 ($17.61) | Approx. ¥950 ($10.20) |
| Coverage | Round trip between Shinjuku and Fujisawa (Odakyu line) + unlimited rides on the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) | One-way trip to Kamakura only |
| Access to Enoshima | ✅Included | ❌Separate ticket needed |
| Unlimited Enoden Rides | ✅Yes (between Fujisawa, Enoshima, and Kamakura) | ❌No (must purchase individual tickets) |
| Ideal for | Day trips covering Enoshima and Kamakura | Just visiting Kamakura |
| Value for money | Great if you are visiting multiple spots | Better if you are only going to one place |
| To note | The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass does not include bus rides. | – |
*You can add a public transport card (like a Suica card) through Apple Pay and top it up directly from your phone.
I opted for the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass . where you will receive a digital ticket which you can scan at the yellow 2D code readers or present your ticket to the station staff. What follows is fairly straightforward, simply follow the blue Odakyu line arrows and signs to locate which platform you need to depart on. I also found Google Maps helpful for checking train times and platform information—I’d recommend using it throughout this day trip, so make sure you have a fully charged power bank.
Once you get on the Odakyu train from Shinjuku, it’ll take an hour to reach Fujisawa station, where you’ll need to transfer to the Enoden Line to get to Kamakura. You’ll need to exit the Odakyu gates and look for green signs or ones with a retro-style train icon. If you’re directionally challenged like me, this transfer may be a bit confusing as the signs for the Enoden are not quite comprehensive at times but that’s what the station staff are there for so don’t hesitate to ask.
Now for the fun part—you get to decide whether you’d like to get off at Kamakura Station or five stops earlier at Inamuragasaki Station.
I’d recommend getting off at Kamakura or Hase Station if you were looking to get straight into shopping and temple-hopping—feel free to d skip the next part and jump straight into what to do in Kamakura.
But if it’s the latter, the next one is for you!
Cafe Yoridokoro – Inamuragasaki Station
A three-minute walk from Inamuragasaki Station, Cafe Yoridokoro is small, cosy spot that feels like something straight out of a movie. Located right next to the train tracks, it’s so close you could almost reach out and touch the passing Enoden trains as you eat.
The highlight of the menu is their teishoku (Japanese style set meals). Each set is served with rice, dried fish of your choice, miso soup, salad, and pickles. You can also add a raw egg for an additional ¥220 ($2.36) to top off your meal and I totally recommend it—you get to whisk it until it’s light and fluffy before pouring it over your rice (so much fun!)
Cafe Yoridokoro also offers coffee and sweet treats if you weren’t looking for a meal.
P.S. Cafe Yoridokoro is popular! I arrived at 9am, and by the time I was seated, there was already a line outside the door. If you want to avoid waiting, it’s best to arrive early.
Hasedera Temple & Surrounding Attractions – Hase Station
Ticket: ¥400 ($4.30)
To note: The main hall of the temple requires visitors to walk up a hill, may not be the most accessible destination for everyone.
If you’ve skipped Cafe Yoridokoro, simply get off at Hase station.
If you did visit the cafe, you have two options: You could head back to Inamuragasaki Station for a 15-minute commute to Hase Station or take a 30-minute walk to the Temple and explore the town as you go.
The Hasedera Temple, one of Kamakura’s most famous Buddhist temples, is known for beautiful seaside views and peaceful gardens. The temple is surrounded by lush gardens, with nature wrapped around every corner. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the grand wooden Sanmon gate at the entrance, adorned with a large red lantern that sways with the passing of crowds.
Atop a hill, the temple’s main hall—Kannon-do—houses a 9.18 metre wooden statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy; one of Japan largest Buddhist statues. This statue dates back to 721 AD, and it was one of two statues carved from a sacred tree. One statue is currently enshrined in Nara while the other was set adrift into the ocean with a prayer—that it would appear to those who needed its protection; the statue eventually drifted to Kamakura’s shore.
Past the main hall is a small restaurant which serves traditional Japanese sweets and meals with a stunning sea view. Hasedera temple is a beautiful spot with many halls to discover, however my favourite discovery was a small Shinto shrine to the right of Kannon-do—Kakigara Inari. When the Kannon statue was discovered in Kamakura, it was covered in oyster shells. These shells are believed to have protected the statue from decay before it was discovered by locals. In gratitude to this natural preservation, a shrine was built to honour the Kakigara. With a donation of ¥300 ($3.22), visitors can get an oyster shell and write a wish on it before hanging it up.
As you descend the hill and return to the lush gardens near the entrance, be sure not to overlook the Benten-Kutsu Cave. The entrance may appear modest but inside lies dozens of statues and figures intricately carved into the cave walls. Dimly illuminated by rows of flickering candles, the cave offers a unique glance into history. Though be warned, the caves are narrow, and passage may feel slightly cramped for taller visitors.
Kōtoku-in (Big Buddha) – Hase Station
Ticket: ¥300
500m away from Hasedera is Kōtoku-in, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Standing at 11.4 metres tall, it is the second largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. The statue was originally housed inside a temple hall, but it was relocated outside as the temple buildings were destroyed by natural disasters.
Komachi Street (1-chome-6 Yukinoshita) – Kamakura Station
Located about a 20-minute bus ride from Kōtoku-in, Komachi Street is one of Kamakura’s most popular shopping streets. Beginning from the torii gate near Kamakura Station to Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, this lively street is lined with charming shop-lots, traditional craft stores, and dozens of street food stalls.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū – Kamakura Station
Tsurugaoka Hachumangū is Kamakura’s most important and significant Shinto shrine. Established in 1063 by the Minamoto clan, it was later relocated and expanded to its present location in 1180 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate. The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, a deity revered as the protector of warriors. Located in the heart of Kamakura, you can drop by and enjoy its expansive gardens and historical buildings.
An unexpected find: Sugimoto-dera
Ticket: ¥200 ($2.15)
Sugimoto-dera wasn’t originally on my itinerary but stumbling upon it while walking from Tsurugaoka Hachimangū was a stroke of good luck. I was instantly drawn by the long, moss-covered staircase that seem to disappear into another world.
At the top of the stairs, you’ll find two Nio statues on each side of the entrance. Though they have been weathered by time, these statues are still powerful sight to behold.
Often overlooked by visitors, Sugimoto-dera is the oldest temple in Kamakura. It belongs to the Tendai sect of Buddhism and is dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The temple’s name, “Sugimoto,” meaning “under the cedar tree,” comes from a local legend in which its main hall survives a devastating fire—said to have been protected by Kannon herself.
Houkokuji Temple – Kyukouan Cafe
Ticket: ¥400 ($4.30) or ¥1000 ($10.74) including tea service
Nestled in the eastern hills of Kamakura, Hokokuji is a small Buddhist temple that belongs to the Rinzai sect. Established in the early Muromachi period (1333-1573) and reconstructed in the 1920s after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the temple is renowned for its beautiful bamboo groves.
While smaller in scale, Hokokuji’s grove rivals Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo forest in sheer beauty. Behind the main hall, you’ll find 2000 bamboo stalks with designated pathways leading towards a bamboo tea house. If you have purchased the tea service, simply present your ticket upon arrival and you will be promptly welcoming servers.
The tea house is simple—with just one item on the menu: a bowl of matcha tea accompanied by a sugar cookie. A word of advice: have the matcha before biting into the cookie. I made the mistake of reversing the order and was left with the bitterness and intensity of the matcha.
Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station
The final and arguably most famous view in Kamakura: The Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station. Fans of the classic basketball anime, Slam Dunk, will instantly recognise this spot from the opening scene of the anime. Perched near the coastline, the station offers a picturesque view of trains gliding past the ocean backdrop. For the best view, visit around sunset. As the sun dips below the horizon and the oceans turn golden, it an unforgettable scene for any visitor coming to Kamakura. A word of caution: Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station has gone viral on TikTok and become a major hotspot for visitors. Don’t be surprised if you find dozens of visitors crowding around the spot.
Once you’ve soaked in the views, you can head back to the Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station hop on the Enoden Line, connecting with the Odakyu Line for an easy return to Shinjuku. If you’re not quite ready to leave and wanted to end the day with a delicious meal, I would highly recommend stopping by Umi, a local favourite for fresh tuna and seafood!
