D A Y T R I P S
How to Do a Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo: Routes, Temples & Food
JR Yokosuka Line vs Enoden, the Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Hokokuji bamboo, Komachi-dori, shirasu bowls, and Enoshima extension.
Quick Answer
- Best route: JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station → Kamakura Station. 57 minutes, ¥950 one way. No transfer needed.
- Tap your Welcome Suica at the gate — it works on JR and Enoden. No paper tickets.
- Leave Tokyo by 9:00 AM. Temples close at 16:30–17:00. You need 5–6 hours.
- Must-see trio: Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) → Hase-dera → Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. This is the classic circuit.
- Budget: ¥3,000–¥5,000 total (train + temples + lunch).
- Cheapest route: Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass — ¥1,640 from Shinjuku. Includes round trip + unlimited Enoden.
- Weekday mornings are golden. Weekend Komachi-dori is shoulder-to-shoulder. Weekdays before 11:00 AM are peaceful.
- Go deeper: Skip the Great Buddha, hit Hokokuji bamboo grove + Jomyoji + Zuisen-ji. Far fewer crowds.
- Shirasu (whitebait) season: April–December. Fishing ban January 1–March 10, so no raw shirasu in winter.
- Enoshima extension: Ride Enoden from Kamakura → Enoshima (25 min, ¥310). Add 2–3 hours.
What You’ll Learn
✅ What you’ll be able to do
- Take the right train from Tokyo to Kamakura (3 routes compared)
- Visit the Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, and Hokokuji bamboo grove
- Navigate Komachi-dori shopping street and eat shirasu bowls
- Extend your trip to Enoshima if time allows
⏱️ Time needed: 5–6 hours (one-way transit: ~60 min)
💰 Budget: ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person (trains + admission + lunch)
⚠️ Watch out for:
- Temples close by 16:30–17:00 — leaving Tokyo after 10 AM is too late
- Raw shirasu is unavailable January 1–March 10 (fishing ban)
- Weekend crowds on Komachi-dori make it hard to walk
Getting to Kamakura: 3 Routes Compared
Route 1: JR Yokosuka Line (Recommended for Most Tourists)
Tokyo Station → Kamakura Station
- Time: 57 minutes, direct, no transfer
- Fare: ¥950 one way
- Frequency: Every 10–15 minutes
- Payment: Suica / Welcome Suica, PASMO, or paper ticket. JR Pass also valid.
This is the simplest route. Board at Tokyo Station (JR Yokosuka Line platform), sit down, arrive at Kamakura. The train also stops at Shinagawa and Yokohama, so you can board at either.
At the register phrase: “Yokosuka-sen, Kamakura-yuki” (横須賀線、鎌倉行き) — ask any JR staff if you’re lost.
Route 2: JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (From Shinjuku/Shibuya)
Shinjuku Station → Kamakura Station
- Time: ~60 minutes direct (Zushi-bound trains only), otherwise ~75 min with transfer at Ofuna
- Fare: ¥950 one way
- Frequency: About 2 direct trains per hour (bound for Zushi)
- Pitfall: Not every Shonan-Shinjuku Line train goes to Kamakura. Only trains bound for Zushi (逗子) continue past Ofuna to Kamakura. Check the destination display.
Route 3: Odakyu Railway (Cheapest, But Slowest)
Shinjuku → Fujisawa → (Enoden) → Kamakura
- Time: ~90 minutes total (Odakyu express to Fujisawa + Enoden transfer)
- Fare: ¥920 one way, or ¥1,640 for the Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass (round trip + unlimited Enoden)
- Best for: Budget travelers who also want to visit Enoshima
The Free Pass is worth it if you plan to ride the Enoden multiple times (Kamakura → Hase → Enoshima). Buy it at Odakyu Shinjuku Station ticket counters.
Which Route?
| Priority | Route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Speed + simplicity | JR Yokosuka Line | Direct, fast, no thinking |
| From Shinjuku, direct | JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line | Same fare, but check train destination |
| Budget + Enoshima | Odakyu + Free Pass | ¥1,640 covers everything |
Pro tip: Load your Welcome Suica with at least ¥3,000 before leaving. You’ll use it for JR trains, Enoden, convenience stores, and vending machines all day.
The Recommended Route: 5–6 Hour Itinerary
Leave Tokyo by 9:00 AM. Arrive Kamakura ~10:00 AM. Here’s the most efficient order:
Stop 1: Komachi-dori Shopping Street (30 min)
Walk straight out of Kamakura Station’s East Exit. Komachi-dori is the pedestrian street directly ahead — 360 meters of shops, snacks, and souvenir stores.
What to do:
- Browse but don’t eat lunch yet (shirasu bowls come later)
- Try murasaki-imo (purple sweet potato) soft serve — ¥400 at several stalls
- Pick up omamori (charms) at the small shops if you want them cheaper than at temples
Pitfall: On weekends and holidays, Komachi-dori is packed by 11:00 AM. Hit it first, or skip it and come back at the end.
Stop 2: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (45 min)
Komachi-dori leads directly to this shrine. Walk straight, and you’ll reach the main torii gate.
- Admission: Free
- Hours: 6:00–20:30 (grounds), main hall area closes at 16:30 in winter
- What it is: Kamakura’s most important Shinto shrine, founded in 1063
Prayer etiquette: Bow twice → Clap twice → Pray → Bow once. Throw a ¥5 coin (good luck — the word for 5 yen, “go-en,” sounds like “good fortune/connection”).
Photo op: Stand at the top of the stone staircase and look back down the tree-lined approach (dankazura) toward the sea.
Stop 3: Hokokuji Bamboo Temple (60 min)
From Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, take bus #23 or #24 from the bus stop near the shrine (10 min, ¥220) to Jomyoji bus stop (浄明寺). Or walk 25 minutes east.
- Admission: ¥300 (bamboo grove only), ¥600 with matcha tea set
- Hours: 9:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30)
- What it is: A Zen temple with 2,000+ bamboo stalks. Tiny but stunning.
Worth it: Pay the extra ¥300 for the matcha set. You sit in a tea house inside the bamboo grove, drinking matcha and eating a dry sweet. One of the most peaceful 15 minutes you’ll have in Japan.
Pitfall: Last entry is 15:30, not 16:00. The temple is strict about this. Don’t arrive at 15:45 thinking you’ll get in.
Stop 4: Lunch — Shirasu (Whitebait) Bowls (45 min)
Head back toward Kamakura Station (bus or walk). Eat near the station or along Komachi-dori.
What to order:
- Shirasu-don (しらす丼): Bowl of rice topped with boiled whitebait — ¥1,000–¥1,500
- Nama shirasu-don (生しらす丼): Raw whitebait version — ¥1,200–¥1,800 (seasonal)
- Half-and-half (ハーフ&ハーフ): Half raw, half boiled on one bowl — best of both worlds
Fishing ban alert: Raw shirasu is unavailable January 1–March 10 due to the annual fishing ban in Sagami Bay. Boiled shirasu is available year-round. If you visit in winter, don’t be disappointed — boiled shirasu is still delicious.
Where to eat: Shirasu-ya (しらすや) near Kamakura Station, or Akimoto (秋本) on Komachi-dori. Both serve quality bowls. Avoid the places with the longest lines — the shirasu is the same, the wait isn’t worth it.
Stop 5: Great Buddha at Kotoku-in (45 min)
From Kamakura Station, take the Enoden to Hase Station (長谷駅). One stop, 5 minutes, ¥200.
Walk 7 minutes from Hase Station to Kotoku-in.
- Admission: ¥300 (adults), ¥150 (children 6–12)
- Enter the Buddha’s interior: +¥50 — yes, you can go inside. It’s hollow.
- Hours: 8:00–17:00 (April–September), 8:00–16:30 (October–March)
- What it is: A 13.35-meter, 121-ton bronze Amida Buddha cast in 1252. It originally sat inside a hall, but a tsunami in 1498 washed the hall away. The Buddha stayed.
Don’t miss: The enormous straw sandals (waraji) on the temple corridor wall — 1.8 meters long, made by children in Ibaraki Prefecture and donated regularly.
At the register phrase: You’ll likely need to buy tickets from a machine. Select “大人” (adult) or “子供” (child) and insert coins or tap your IC card if the machine supports it.
Optional Stop 6: Hase-dera Temple (30–45 min)
Just 5 minutes on foot from Kotoku-in. Worth it if you have time.
- Admission: ¥400
- Hours: 8:00–17:00 (closes 16:30 October–March)
- Why go: Ocean view from the observation deck, thousands of small Jizo statues, seasonal hydrangeas (June), and a cave with carved stone Buddhas you can walk through
Don’t Do This: Common Mistakes
”I’ll leave Tokyo at noon”
Temples close at 16:30 in winter. With a 60-minute train ride, you arrive at 13:00. After transit between sites, you have maybe 2.5 hours of actual sightseeing. That’s not enough.
Fix: Leave Tokyo Station by 9:00 AM. 10:00 AM at the latest.
”I’ll take a taxi between temples”
Kamakura’s streets are narrow and packed. Taxis get stuck in traffic, especially on weekends. A 10-minute walk takes 20 minutes by taxi.
Fix: Walk or take the Enoden/buses. Kamakura is a walking city.
”I’ll eat raw shirasu in February”
There’s an annual fishing ban from January 1 to March 10. No fresh shirasu is caught during this period. Restaurants can only serve boiled or frozen shirasu.
Fix: Visit April–December for raw shirasu. Or enjoy boiled shirasu — it’s still good.
”I’ll wing it without cash”
Many small restaurants and temple admission counters are cash only. Shirasu shops on the beach, omamori (charm) counters at shrines, and some Enoden ticket machines prefer cash.
Fix: Carry at least ¥3,000 in coins and small bills in addition to your Suica.
Enoshima Extension (+2–3 Hours)
If you finish the main Kamakura circuit by 14:00, you have time to add Enoshima.
How to get there:
- Enoden from Kamakura Station → Enoshima Station: 25 minutes, ¥310
- Walk 15 minutes across the bridge to Enoshima island
What to do on Enoshima:
- Walk up to Enoshima Shrine (free, 20 min uphill)
- Visit the Enoshima Sea Candle observation tower (¥500)
- Eat more shirasu at the beachside restaurants
- See the Iwaya Caves at the far end of the island (¥500)
- Watch the sunset over Sagami Bay — on clear days, Mt. Fuji is visible
Return route: Enoden back to Kamakura Station, then JR to Tokyo. Or Odakyu from Katase-Enoshima Station directly to Shinjuku (~75 min).
What to Bring
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Welcome Suica loaded with ¥3,000+ | Trains, buses, convenience stores, vending machines |
| Cash ¥3,000–¥5,000 | Temple admission, small restaurants, street food |
| Comfortable walking shoes | You’ll walk 10,000–15,000 steps. Temple paths are uneven stone. |
| Water bottle | Vending machines everywhere, but summer in Kamakura is brutal |
| Umbrella or rain jacket | Weather changes fast near the coast |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Suica won't work at Enoden gate | Insufficient balance | Charge at the machine next to the gate. Minimum ¥1,000. |
| Great Buddha is "closed" | Arrived after 16:30 (winter hours) | Come earlier next time. The gate is strict — no late entries. |
| No raw shirasu on the menu | Fishing ban (Jan 1–Mar 10) or bad weather | Order boiled shirasu-don instead. Or try shrimp tempura bowls. |
| Can't find the bus to Hokokuji | Bus stop is confusing at Kamakura Station | Exit East Exit, turn right. Bus #23 or #24 from bus stop #5. Ask 「浄明寺行きですか?」 |
| Komachi-dori is too crowded to move | Weekend/holiday + afternoon | Use the parallel back streets one block over. Same shops, zero crowds. |
FAQ
Q: Is the JR Pass worth it just for Kamakura?
A: No. A round trip Tokyo–Kamakura is ¥1,900. The cheapest JR Pass is ¥50,000 for 7 days. The JR Pass only makes sense if you’re also doing Kyoto, Osaka, or other long-distance shinkansen trips. For Kamakura alone, just tap your Suica.
Q: Can I visit Kamakura and Enoshima in one day?
A: Yes, if you leave Tokyo by 9:00 AM. Do Kamakura’s main temples in the morning (3–4 hours), then Enoden to Enoshima in the afternoon (2–3 hours). You’ll be back in Tokyo by 18:00–19:00.
Q: What’s the best season to visit?
A: Every season has something. Spring (March–April): Cherry blossoms at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Early summer (June): Hydrangeas at Hase-dera and Meigetsu-in. Autumn (November–December): Red maple leaves at Engakuji and Hokokuji. Winter: Fewer crowds, but temples close earlier and no raw shirasu.
Q: Is Kamakura wheelchair accessible?
A: Partially. Kamakura Station has elevators. Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) has a barrier-free route. But many temple paths are stone steps with no ramps. Hokokuji’s bamboo grove has narrow paths. Komachi-dori is flat but very crowded on weekends.
Q: Should I buy the Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass?
A: Only if you’re starting from Shinjuku AND plan to ride the Enoden multiple times. The pass is ¥1,640 and includes round trip Shinjuku–Fujisawa + unlimited Enoden. If you’re starting from Tokyo Station, the JR Yokosuka Line is faster and simpler — just use your Suica.
Related Guides
- How to Use Suica & Welcome Suica — Set up your transit card before leaving for Kamakura
- Shrine Visit Etiquette — Prayer rituals, omamori, and what to do at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
- How to Navigate Shinjuku Station — If you’re taking the Odakyu or Shonan-Shinjuku Line
- Tokyo Transit Guide — Understanding JR vs Metro vs private railways
Summary
- Take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station — 57 minutes, ¥950, no transfer. Load your Welcome Suica with ¥3,000+ before you go.
- Leave by 9:00 AM — temples close at 16:30 in winter. Five hours of sightseeing is the minimum for a satisfying trip.
- Eat shirasu bowls for lunch — raw is best April–December. Boiled is available year-round. Carry cash for small restaurants.
Next step: Check your Suica balance and set an alarm for 8:00 AM. Kamakura rewards early risers.