Kanagawa, Japan

Kamakura

Kamakura is a seaside town of Zen temples, shrines and the giant bronze Buddha, with hiking trails linking them through wooded hills.

Kamakura: Kamakura Historical Walking Tour with the Great Buddha
Featured walk: Kamakura Historical Walking Tour with the Great Buddha · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Kamakura was the seat of Japan's first shogunate from 1192. Many temples survive from that era.

The town lies between forested hills and the sea, with hiking trails joining the main sights.

What makes Kamakura distinctive

  • The Great Buddha
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
  • Zen temples
  • Hiking trails

Walking tours in Kamakura

Hand-picked guided walks in Kamakura, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

By theme: History walks in Kamakura

Compare with other cities: History walks

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Kamakura is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

Search Kamakura on GetYourGuide

The button loads content from GetYourGuide, which may set cookies. Links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book.

Main sights

Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Kita-Kamakura

    Zen temples.

  • Central Kamakura

    Shrine and shops.

  • Hase

    The Great Buddha.

Free self-guided walk

Shrine to the Great Buddha

A free self-guided walk in Kamakura, from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu along Komachi-dori and over to Hase-dera and the Great Buddha.

3.9 km · 4 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Daibutsu Hiking Course

    Through woods.

  2. Wakamiya-oji

    The shrine approach.

  3. Yuigahama beach

    Along the sea.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Hilly trails.

  • Crowds

    Busy at weekends.

  • Shoes

    Wear good shoes for the trails.

When to visit

  • Spring

    Cherry blossom.

  • June

    Hydrangeas.

  • Autumn

    Colourful leaves.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach Tokyo in about an hour.

Local transport

  • Enoden

    A small coastal railway.

  • On foot

    Trails link the sights.

Questions travellers ask about Kamakura

How many days do I need?

One day.

Is it a day trip from Tokyo?

Yes.

Can I go inside the Buddha?

Yes, for a small fee.

Tokyo: Tokyo: Asakusa Senso-ji Temple & Old Town Walking Tour
Kantō

Tokyo

A megacity of quiet lanes, shrines and neon, safe to walk at any hour

Discover the city
Kyoto: Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour
Kansai

Kyoto

Temples, gardens and wooden streets from a thousand years as capital

Discover the city
Osaka: Osaka Highlights Walking Tour: Castle, Dotonbori & Hidden Gems
Kansai

Osaka

Japan's kitchen: neon, street food and a famous castle

Discover the city
Kanazawa: Kanazawa: Private Custom Tour with Local Guide
Ishikawa

Kanazawa

Gardens, geisha streets and samurai houses

Discover the city
Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace & History Tour: Why the Atomic Bomb Was Dropped
Hiroshima

Hiroshima

A city of peace

Discover the city
Nara: Nara Early Morning Tour Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available
Nara

Nara

Temples and tame deer

Discover the city
Kobe: Kobe Sake Tour with Expert Guide: 3+ Breweries, Tastings Included
Hyogo

Kobe

A port city of sake and beef

Discover the city
Takayama: Takayama: Edo-Period Old Town Walking Tour（45 Minutes）
Gifu

Takayama

An Edo-period merchant town in the Alps

Discover the city
Tokyo: Tokyo: Asakusa Senso-ji Temple & Old Town Walking Tour
Country overview

Japan

Safe, orderly streets where every neighbourhood feels different

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.