The Great Buddha of Kamakura surrounded by green trees

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Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo: Great Buddha, Temples and Enoshima

28 July 2026 · 5 min read · by the Tokyo With Us team

Kamakura was Japan's political capital in the 12th century, and today it is the easiest culture-rich day trip from Tokyo: temples, a giant bronze Buddha, street food and a seaside finish on Enoshima island. Here is how the day fits together.

Morning: the Great Buddha and Hasedera

Start at Kotoku-in, home of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) — an 11-metre bronze figure cast in 1252 that has sat in the open air since the temple hall around it washed away in a 15th-century tsunami. Arrive close to opening time to see it before the crowds.

A short walk away, Hasedera Temple offers a hillside garden, a cave of small stone figures and one of the best views over Kamakura's rooftops to the sea. In June its hydrangea path is famous across Japan.

Midday: Komachi-dori and lunch

Komachi-dori, the shopping street running from Kamakura Station, is where the day turns culinary: shirasu (whitebait) rice bowls, matcha sweets, croquettes and taiyaki. It is busy, cheerful and a good place to pick up small gifts.

Afternoon: Enoshima and the coast

Finish on Enoshima, a small island connected by bridge, with a shrine, caves, gardens and — on clear winter days — a view of Mount Fuji across the water. Sunset from the causeway is the photograph to take home.

Kamakura and Enoshima work by train, but a private day removes the transfers and lets you add quiet spots like Hokokuji bamboo temple. See our Kamakura & Enoshima private day trip for the full route, or check dates directly on GetYourGuide.