Kamakura Private Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide – Customizable
Discover the ancient charm of Kamakura on a private 4-hour tour with a nationally licensed guide. Ideal for travelers coming from Tokyo or staying locally, this customizable half-day trip lets you choose 2–3 must-see attractions, such as the Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple, Komachi Street, or hidden bamboo temples.
Your guide will lead you through a mix of local trains, buses, and walking paths, offering cultural insights and historical stories along the way. Meet at Kamakura Station or a nearby location and enjoy a relaxed yet enriching experience tailored to your interests.
Highlights: ・Get up close to the iconic Great Buddha of Kamakura ・Enjoy panoramic views from the terrace of Hasedera Temple ・Stroll down Komachi Street for local eats and souvenirs ・Create a custom itinerary with recommendations from your expert guide
Options
Kamakura Private Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide – Customizable
Pickup included
What's included in Kamakura Private Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide – Customizable
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
At Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the most important spiritual site in Kamakura, guests will explore one of Japan’s most iconic Shinto shrines with deep ties to the samurai era. Your local guide will explain the history of the shrine, which was originally founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate. As you approach the grand staircase and main hall, you’ll learn how to respectfully enter a shrine, bow, and make an offering at the altar. Guests will also enjoy a walk through the peaceful shrine grounds, including scenic ponds and seasonal gardens. For those interested, there is time to browse traditional charms (omamori) or try drawing a paper fortune (omikuji), both meaningful elements of Japanese spiritual culture. This visit is a chance not only to see beautiful traditional architecture, but to understand the values and customs of Shinto practice and how it continues to influence Japanese life today.
Kamakura Komachidori
Komachi Street is a lively shopping and food street located just steps from Kamakura Station and the entrance to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It's one of the most popular areas in Kamakura for both locals and tourists. During the tour, guests can stroll through the vibrant alley filled with traditional shops, local crafts, and street food vendors. Your guide will point out recommended snacks to try — from freshly made rice crackers and matcha sweets to sweet potato treats and wagashi (traditional Japanese confections). This is a perfect chance to experience the casual, fun side of Japanese culture. You can shop for souvenirs, taste seasonal specialties, and enjoy the atmosphere of a place where old traditions meet modern tastes. The area is also great for people-watching and photography, with colorful displays, friendly shopkeepers, and a relaxed but lively energy that captures the spirit of Kamakura.
Hasedera Temple
Hasedera Temple is one of Kamakura’s most beautiful and serene temples, located on a hillside overlooking the ocean. It is known for its seasonal flowers, tranquil atmosphere, and a massive wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. During the tour, guests will explore the temple grounds, which include peaceful gardens, lotus ponds, and scenic walking paths. Your guide will explain the spiritual and historical significance of the temple, which has welcomed visitors for over a thousand years. Inside the main hall, guests can view the impressive eleven-headed Kannon statue, one of the largest wooden Buddhist statues in Japan. There is also a cave dedicated to Benzaiten, a goddess associated with water and the arts, where visitors can walk through a mysterious tunnel lined with small stone carvings.
Inclusions
- Pick-up service from hotels in the Kanagawa area (on foot and by train)
- Tour guided by an experienced English-speaking professional
- Food, drinks, snacks, and lunch are not included and must be paid for separately by each guest.
- Trains and buses
- Entrance fees are approximately ¥2,000 in total
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You can choose to be picked up from a list of locations, or alternatively, have the choice to make your own way to the meeting points
Please arrive at the pick up point 60 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
If you're concerned about getting to Kamakura, our staff will come to pick you up at your hotel (Kanagawa area). We'll travel together using public transportation (train and bus) so you won’t get lost along the way.
Meeting / End Points
- Meeting Point: In front of JR Kamakura Station – East Exit (outside the ticket gate) Near the entrance of Komachi Street. Easy to find and popular for meeting.
