Kamakura

 

The following sights are in western Kamakura, mostly near the Enoden Hase station.

Kōtokuin

Home of the famous Great Buddha 大仏 Daibutsu, a bronze statue of Amida that at 13.35 meters is the second largest in Japan second only to that in Nara's Todaiji. Thought to be cast in 1252, the statue was originally housed in a giant temple hall, but the building was washed away in a tsunami.

Zeniarai Benten Shrine

An atmospheric shrine in the hills dedicated to the deity Benzaiten, but popularly named after the most common activity: according to legend, any money zeni washed arai in the cave here will be doubled. You can also purchase o-mamori protective charm and have a kannushi shinto priest strike sparks from a flint over it to increase its power. It is about a kilometer away from Kamakura station. As there is no direct bus service, those in a hurry should take a taxi. Otherwise, the undemanding 20-minute stroll gives pleasant views of residential areas with quiet gardens. The shrine itself is reached via a long, but well-illuminated tunnel bored right through the rock. The hill above, Genjiyama, has a park with excellent views over the city. It is also a popular place for viewing the cherry blossoms in early spring. From here you can reach the hiking trail running from Tokeiji to the Kōtokuin.

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine

The largest Shinto shrine in otherwise almost solidly Buddhist Kamakura, built by Yoritomo Minamoto 1147-1199 founder of the Kamakura Shogunate and the first Shogun in the Kamakura Period 1185-1333. Just a bit north of the station, this shrine attracts a million visitors on New Year's Day to see the first sunrise of the year Japan Rail runs trains all night long. If you're lucky, you may see a traditional wedding going on in the plaza in front of the main shrine. The Ritual Dance Stage 舞殿 is the spot where Yoritomo forced the hunted Yoshitsune's Lady Shizuka to perform a dance for him. Rather than celebrating Yoritomo, Lady Shizuka's dance expressed her love for Yoshitsune and her sorrow at his plight. This event is commemorated during the Kamakura Festival in April. Twice each year, in the spring and fall, you can watch demonstrations of Yabusame archery from galloping horseback, in full samurai regalia at Hachiman-gu.

Taya Cavern

This is actually in Yokohama, but is closer to Kamakura both geographically and historically. From about the year 1200 to 1700, Shingon Buddhist monks gradually excavated this underground maze of tunnels as a site for spiritual training. You will be given a candle which you slip onto a wooden holder outside the entrance, and light at the candle inside the doorway. Damp, silent corridors lead to small, domed meditation chambers with walls and ceilings carved with fantastic creatures and Buddhist images, and on down to the spring room with a great turtle and birds carved on the walls. A small flashlight would be useful to see the images that candlelight doesn't reach.

 

Near Taya Cavern, there are some other attractions to see.

Suenosato

A studio displaying beautiful and expensive handcrafted pottery and glassware that range from whimsical to Wabi-sabi.

Yukai Sokai Taya

A spa housed in a building with the large neon character for bath on the roof.

north kamakura

The artist Isamu Noguchi lived and created ceramics in Kita North Kamakura in 1952.

Engakuji

円覚寺. Number two of Kamakura's Five Zen Temples, founded in 1282 to commemorate soldiers who fell fighting off the Mongol invasion the previous year. The Shariden building on the grounds is reputed to contain one of the teeth of the Buddha. Atop a hill near the temple is the temple's large bell and next to it a teahouse famous for its tokoroten sweet cold noodles.

Kenchōji

建長寺. Number one of Kamakura's Five Zen Temples, the oldest in Kamakura built 1253 and one of the oldest in all Japan. The temple bell here too has been designated a National Treasure, and there's a nice Zen garden as well.

Tōkeiji

東慶寺 (http://www.tokeiji.com/pc/en/). A nunnery famous in the feudal days for sheltering abused women, who could obtain a divorce by staying here for three years. Has a large and atmospheric graveyard. Also called "Kakekomidera" the fugitive temple, and famous for its ume Japanese plum.

Meigetsuin

明月院.　A lot of hydrangeas are plated in precincts, and it is called "Hydrangea Temple." On the other hand, it is known in the grave of Hojo Tokiyori and the Meigetsuin Temple tower that assumed to be the biggest in tunnel type grave. It takes 10 minites on foot from JR Kita-Kamakura Station. The seeing time is from 9 am to 4 pm. 300¥.

east kamakura

The temples of eastern Kamakura lie off the beaten tourist track and are for that very reason worth a visit. While you can reach these on foot, it's probably wiser to take a bus as there's still a fair bit of climbing to do just to get around the temples.

Jōmyōji

浄妙寺. Sample tea ceremony on the cheap here with a ¥500 cup of matcha tea in the gardens.

Sugimotodera

杉本寺. Tranquil hillside temple with a newer stone stairway to the left of the even steeper, worn-out original one, and views over the town. The oldest temple in Kamakura, founded 734. Eleven-faced statue of Kannon.

Shakado Kiritoshi

釈迦堂切り通し. Fifteen min walk from Sugimoto Kannon. Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the ocean on the fourth. Very narrow roads were cut through the mountains, to make for easy defense. The Shakado Kiritoshi pass is cut through solid rock, and very impressive even today. Unfortunately　it has been impassable since April 2010 due　to a large rockfall.

Hōkokuji

報国寺. Notable for its lovely bamboo grove. You can get matcha here too.