Kamakura
The Great Buddha, Hase-dera and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in the old shogun capital, about an hour by train from Tokyo.
At a glance
The Great Buddha of Kamakura, begun in 1252, is unusual among Japan's large Buddhas because it sits in the open air.
Kamakura, on the coast south of Yokohama, was the seat of Japan's first shogunate from the late twelfth century. Its temples and shrines date from that period, spread between wooded hills and the beach of Yuigahama. According to the Kamakura tourism association it is about an hour from Tokyo and about 30 minutes from Yokohama by train.
The best known sight is the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in, a bronze statue of Amida Buddha about 11.3 m (37 ft) tall and weighing some 121 tonnes, a National Treasure that has stood in the open since its hall was lost centuries ago. A few minutes away, Hase-dera has terraced grounds with views over the bay. On the other side of town, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the shrine linked to the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, stands at the head of a long avenue 10 minutes from Kamakura Station.
From the Tokyo cruise terminals it is a full-day trip: Yurikamome to Shimbashi, then the JR Yokosuka line direct to Kamakura, and the small Enoden train to Hase for the Great Buddha. If your ship docks in Yokohama instead, Kamakura is much closer and the day is more relaxed.
Official websiteGetting there from the port
4 optionsYour day in port
Example: call from 07:00 to 18:00, all aboard at 17:30.
- 07:30Ashore and to ShimbashiWalk to Tokyo International Cruise Terminal station and take the Yurikamome to Shimbashi.
- 08:00JR Yokosuka lineDirect train from Shimbashi to Kamakura, about an hour.
- 09:15Great Buddha and Hase-deraEnoden to Hase, then the Great Buddha and Hase-dera before the crowds.
- 12:00Lunch and YuigahamaLunch near Hase or the beach, then back to Kamakura station.
- 13:30Tsurugaoka HachimanguWalk from Kamakura station up to the shrine.
- 14:30Back to the shipJR to Shimbashi and Yurikamome to the terminal, to be on board by 16:30.
What to see
- 1Great Buddha (Kotoku-in)The bronze Amida Buddha begun in 1252, 11.3 m tall; for ¥50 more you can step inside the statue.
- 2Hase-deraA temple on the hillside near the Great Buddha, with gardens, a cave and views over the bay.
- 3Tsurugaoka HachimanguThe main shrine of Kamakura, reached along the avenue that runs from the sea towards the hills.
- 4EnodenThe small coastal railway from Kamakura to Hase and on along the shore towards Enoshima.
- 5YuigahamaThe beach of Kamakura, a short walk from Hase station.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Start earlyKotoku-in opens at 08:00 and Hase-dera at 08:00; the interior of the Great Buddha closes at 16:30, and Kamakura is very busy at weekends and in the hydrangea season in June.
- Use an IC cardSuica or PASMO work on the Yurikamome, JR and the Enoden; the Enoden from Kamakura to Hase costs ¥200.
- Watch the timeThe return from Kamakura to the Tokyo cruise terminal takes close to two hours; plan to leave Kamakura at least three hours before all aboard.
- No food in the Great Buddha groundsKotoku-in restricts eating and drinking on its grounds.
- Pets in carriersPets are only allowed at Kotoku-in in a cage or carrier.
Accessibility & families
Kotoku-in asks wheelchair users to come with a helper, as some areas are hard to manage alone, and has one accessible toilet; Hase-dera's upper grounds are reached by steps. The long day of trains and walking can be tiring for small children.
In pictures
