Kamakura

Watch 3 days unfold, then make them yours. Kamakura's best, planned around opening hours.

Use this 3-day plan See stays in Kamakura

Day 1 · 9:00 AM

Kotoku-in

Temple · 30 min

See the full 3-day plan

Kamakura at a glance

Kamakura is a seaside town that was once Japan's political capital, known for its temples and shrines.

About Kamakura

Kamakura is a seaside town with a relaxed atmosphere. It was the political capital of Japan during the Kamakura shogunate from 1185 to 1333. Many historic temples survived anti-Buddhist movements, with some rebuilt and statues preserved.

Kamakura's sights are scattered. Most visitors go to the Great Buddha and Hase Kannon, which can be crowded on weekends. The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.

Great Buddha
Hase Kannon
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine
Purple potato soft ice cream
Yabusame archery

How long to stay

3 days

3+ days will allow you to see more of Kanagawa.

Best time to go

Autumn

Apr–May, Oct–Nov are the mildest.

Getting around

Kamakura is too large to cover on foot. A bus network radiates from the train station. The Enoden line reaches Kotokuin and Hasedera. Bicycles can be rented. A 3-hour hike through the forest is also an option.

Kamakura in 3 days

Each day stays in one part of town, timed around opening hours, with lunch on the way.

Day 1

Around Kotoku-in

9:00 AM – 4:53 PM

Personalize Day 1

Day 2

Around Kenchō-ji

9:00 AM – 4:47 PM

Personalize Day 2

Day 3

Around Hokokuji Bamboo Forest

9:00 AM – 5:31 PM

Personalize Day 3

Add dates, swap places and book stays, free in Pilot.

Use this 3-day plan

Where to stay in Kamakura, by area

Every part of town at a glance: what's near, and where you'd sleep, with tonight's price.

Kotoku-in

Kotoku-in4.4 · 29K
Hase-dera4.5 · 17K
Sasuke Inari Shrine4.4 · 2.4K

Stays near Kotoku-in

3-Star hotel

Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura

15 min walk

8.7(2.2k)

1-Star hotel

plat hostel keikyu kamakura wave

16 min walk

8.2(2.3k)

4-Star hotel

Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura

19 min walk

9.2(3.1k)

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu4.4 · 28K
Kenchō-ji4.4 · 4.7K
Meigetsu-in4.3 · 5K

Stays near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

4-Star hotel

Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura

10 min walk

9.2(3.1k)

3-Star hotel

Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura

16 min walk

8.7(2.2k)

1-Star hotel

plat hostel keikyu kamakura wave

16 min walk

8.2(2.3k)

See all stays in Kamakura

When to visit Kamakura

Weather by month, and what's best each season.

Best time to visit

Autumn

Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov
Hottest: Aug · 30°C
Coldest: Jan · -1°C
Wettest: Sep · 248 mm

Jan: -1 to 8°C, 59 mm of rain. Feb: -1 to 10°C, 56 mm of rain. Mar: 3 to 14°C, 138 mm of rain. Apr: 8 to 18°C, 142 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. May: 13 to 23°C, 143 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. Jun: 17 to 25°C, 219 mm of rain. Jul: 22 to 29°C, 214 mm of rain. Aug: 23 to 30°C, 191 mm of rain. Sep: 19 to 27°C, 248 mm of rain. Oct: 13 to 21°C, 206 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. Nov: 7 to 16°C, 98 mm of rain, one of the mildest months. Dec: 1 to 11°C, 52 mm of rain.