Tokyo to Kamakura Day Trip: Solo Itinerary
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Kamakura is about a 1-hour train ride from central Tokyo. This small coastal city is a popular choice for a day trip from Tokyo. If you’re wondering what are some things to do in Kamakura, there’s plenty.
Once you reach the train station in Kamakura, there are many attractions within walking distance. Kamakura is home to a wide variety of temples, most notably, the Great Buddha. Additionally, you’ll find shrines, beaches and quaint shops.
Kamakura is the perfect day trip from Tokyo, especially for solo travelers looking to briefly escape the bustling city of Tokyo and get a glimpse of a charming seaside city. Keep reading below to see an itinerary of how to best spend your time in Kamakura.
1. Kotoku-in (Great Buddha)
Once you reach Kamakura station, you will be right in the heart of this small city. Transfer over to the Enoden line and take the train 3 stops to Hase Station. The Enoden line is a single line on the Enoshima Electric Railway, providing service on the coastline between Kamakura and Enoshima.
The Kotoku-In is a 7-minute walk north from Hase station. You’ll be greeted by the 11.3 meter (44 feet) tall bronze statue. While the temple grounds itself is small, given the size and captivating presence of the statue, it is certainly worth seeing. The entrance fee is 300 yen.
2. Hasedera Temple
Head south back in the direction of the Hase train station. An 8-minute walk will take you to the entrance of the Hasedera Temple, which dates back to the 8th century.
The grounds of this Buddhist temple are lovely. You’ll find several ponds with koi fish, wonderful seating areas to take a break, and a view of the sea at the top. The entrance fee is 400 yen.
3. Yuigahama Beach
From Hasedera temple, walk south past Hase station. Head east and walk along the sidewalk. You’ll notice that you are now walking parallel to the sea. Enjoy a stroll along the water, or stop by the Yuigahama Beach to see the azure water and waves.
From the beach, you can choose to walk 20-minutes back to Kamakura station which is where the city center is. Alternatively, you can walk 7 minutes to Yuigahama Station on the Enoden line and take the train 2 stops back to Kamakura station.
4. Komachi-dori Street
A few minutes outside of Kamakura station, you’ll find the start of Komachi-dori Street, which is a lively pedestrian shopping street that runs about 350 meters long.
Walking down this street, there’s all sorts of shops, food items, and souvenirs. It’s impossible not to make stops while exploring this street. Try a curry bread at the popular Giraffa Curry Pan. Pick up a bag of tasty snacks at Kamakura Mameya.
5. Lunch
With plenty of restaurants around, the pedestrian street of Komachi-dori is a great spot to have lunch. I opted for Ginza Kagari, which specializes in chicken ramen. The broth is slow-cooked and very rich. The ramen is topped with slices of tender chicken breast, bamboo shoots and roasted pumpkin.
Ginza Kagari also has a fairly popular location in Tokyo, which has been previously featured in the Michelin Guide.
6. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Once you reach the end of Komachi Dori street, make a right turn and you will come across the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine.
There’s a long path to walk before you can get up close to the shrine. Explore the grounds which showcase some lovely ponds as well. This shrine dates back to the early 1000’s and is free to visit. It’s also a cultural hub, with festivals and weddings held on the grounds.
How to Get from Tokyo to Kamakura
Tokyo to Kamakura by train:
From Tokyo Station, it is a single 55-minute train ride on the blue JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura station. For travelers that are able to start their trip at Tokyo Station, this would be the simplest and most direct way. The ticket price is 950 yen.
If you are coming from a different station in Tokyo, the journey will likely take 2 different trains, requiring you to transfer to a different line at some point during your journey. The train is a pretty efficient and safe method of transportation for women planning to travel alone.
Alternatively, solo travelers might be interested in the 1-Day Kamakura and Enoshima Bus Tour from Tokyo.
The bus tour is convenient as it brings you right from Tokyo to Kamakura, stopping at the popular attractions including the Great Buddha, Hasedera Temple, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine. It also takes you to the the nearby island of Enoshima, providing some free time to explore.
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