Kamakura Great Buddha & Enoshima Island Day Trip from Tokyo
- Duration9 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This day trip takes you from Tokyo to Kamakura, the seaside former seat of Japan's first shogunate, and to the island of Enoshima. You visit the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, the hillside temple of Hase-dera and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, stroll Komachi Street and cross to Enoshima, with Mount Fuji in view on clear days. Hase-dera and Kotoku-in tickets are included, with an English-speaking guide and an air-conditioned vehicle. Choose a Shinjuku or Ikebukuro departure; the day lasts about nine hours.
Highlights
- The Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in, with the ticket included
- Hase-dera temple with hillside gardens and sea views, ticket included
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura's main Shinto shrine
- A stroll along Komachi Street with its small shops
- Enoshima Island with shrines and sea views, and Mount Fuji visible on clear days
- Air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking guide and a choice of Shinjuku or Ikebukuro departure
Full Description
The Great Buddha at Kotoku-in
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze seated Amida Buddha about 13 metres tall, cast in the mid-thirteenth century. It has stood in the open air since the hall that once sheltered it was destroyed by a tsunami in the late fifteenth century, and the statue is hollow inside. It is the most famous image of Kamakura and one of the great symbols of Japanese Buddhism.
Kamakura Great Buddha tickets are included in this tour, so you go in with your group. Your guide explains the history of the Kamakura shogunate, which made the town the political capital of Japan from the late twelfth to the early fourteenth century, and shows the best places for photographs.
Hase-dera and its hillside gardens
Hase-dera is a temple on a hillside above Yuigahama Bay, known for its eleven-headed statue of the goddess of mercy, Kannon, about nine metres tall and carved from camphor wood. Terraced gardens flower through the seasons, with hydrangeas in June, and a viewing terrace looks over the town and the sea. A cave shrine dedicated to Benzaiten and rows of small Jizo statues give the temple a quiet, personal atmosphere.
Hase-dera tickets are included. Expect stairs and gentle slopes, so wear comfortable shoes. The temple is a short walk from the Great Buddha, which is why the two are paired in one visit.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Komachi Street
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is Kamakura's main Shinto shrine. It was moved to its present site in 1180 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun, and is reached by the long tree-lined approach called Dankazura that runs from the sea. Steps lead up to the main hall, and the grounds hold a lotus pond and a museum.
Komachi Street, the busy lane beside Kamakura Station, is lined with small shops selling souvenirs and local sweets. If you wonder whether Kamakura is worth visiting in one day, the combination of temple, shrine and coast is why it is one of the best day trips from Tokyo, about an hour from the city by train.
Enoshima Island and the views of Mount Fuji
Enoshima is a small island linked to the mainland by a bridge. It has the Enoshima Shrine, dedicated to Benzaiten, a lighthouse known as the Sea Candle, paths with sea views and caves on the far side. On a clear day Mount Fuji rises across the bay, and winter usually gives the best visibility.
Time on the island is limited, so the guide suggests where to go first. Bring a light jacket for the sea wind, and note that Mount Fuji cannot be guaranteed, since clouds and haze often hide it. The evening light over the water is famous locally.
Itinerary
- Meet in Ikebukuro or ShinjukuJoin the group at 7:40 in Ikebukuro or 8:20 in Shinjuku, according to your option.
- Kotoku-in, the Great BuddhaSee the bronze Buddha with your ticket included, and hear its story from the guide.
- Hase-deraWalk through the terraced gardens and the temple halls, with sea views from the terrace.
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Komachi StreetClimb to the main shrine and stroll along the lane of small shops.
- Enoshima IslandCross the bridge, explore the island and enjoy sea views, with Mount Fuji visible on clear days.
- Return to TokyoTravel back by air-conditioned vehicle, finishing about nine to nine and a half hours after the start.
What's included
- Air-conditioned vehicle from Tokyo
- English-speaking guide
- Entry ticket to Hasedera Temple
- Entry ticket to Kotoku-in Temple (Great Buddha)
- Visit to Enoshima Island
Not included
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers who want it organised for them — confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers who cannot manage stairs and hillside paths at Hase-dera and Enoshima; please ask us first
Meeting point
The tour has two departure options. From Ikebukuro, the group meets at 7:40, and from Shinjuku at 8:20. The exact meeting point appears on your voucher. Please arrive a few minutes early so the vehicle can leave on time. Hotel pickup is not included.
Important information
- Hase-dera and Kotoku-in tickets are included; lunch, drinks and personal expenses are not
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, since there are stairs and hillside paths
- Dress modestly at temples and shrines, and keep voices low
- Mount Fuji views depend on the weather and cannot be guaranteed
- The day lasts about nine to nine and a half hours
- The guide speaks English
- Age bands for children and infants are shown in the booking panel
- Bring a light jacket for the sea wind on Enoshima
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Kamakura and Enoshima day trip cost?
The price depends on the option and on the age of each traveller. The booking panel on this page shows the current adult and child price for each option, so choose your date to see the total before you book.
How long is the tour?
The day lasts about nine to nine and a half hours, from the meeting time in Ikebukuro or Shinjuku until you return to Tokyo.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet the group in Ikebukuro at 7:40 or in Shinjuku at 8:20, according to the option you choose.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Travellers aged 12 and over are booked as adults, children aged 4 to 11 have their own category and infants aged 3 and under travel in another. Note the stairs at the temples.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable shoes, modest clothing for temples, a light jacket for the sea wind and a camera. Bring water and money for lunch.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Yes, if a departure is available. Choose the date in the booking panel and check the live availability.
What is the difference between the options?
Both options cover the same tour and tickets. The difference is the departure point and time: Ikebukuro at 7:40 or Shinjuku at 8:20.
Are the temple tickets included?
Yes, tickets for Hase-dera and Kotoku-in, where the Great Buddha stands, are included.
Can I see Mount Fuji from Enoshima?
On clear days, yes, especially in winter. The view cannot be guaranteed, because clouds and haze often hide the mountain.
Is Kamakura worth visiting?
Yes. It combines a monumental Buddha, a hillside temple, a major shrine and a seaside island in one day, and it is close to Tokyo.
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