1-Day Kamakura Itinerary: Coastal Day Trip from Tokyo

Kamakura is a coastal city just south of Tokyo, known for its temples, shrines, beaches, and relaxed vibe.

It is easy to reach by train, making it an ideal destination for a day trip from Tokyo if you want to experience history, nature, and the ocean all in one place.

On my recent trip to Japan, I spent a full day exploring Kamakura and nearby Enoshima Island.

This 1-day Kamakura itinerary covers the main sights I visited, along with helpful tips to make the most of your visit.

1-Day Kamakura Itinerary

Kamakura is an easy day trip from Tokyo, and I highly recommend it if you want to explore beyond the city’s downtown area.

It is a great way to experience a different side of Tokyo while enjoying the ocean, nature, and historic sights.

I have created a Google Map with all the main sights in Kamakura and Enoshima Island pinned, so you can easily navigate the area during your visit.

Arrive in Kamakura (9:00 – 9:30 AM)

I recommend arriving in Kamakura around 9:00–9:30 AM if you’re doing a day trip from Tokyo. This gives you a full day to explore without feeling rushed.

While the town is fairly compact, the sights are spread out enough that you will want most of the day to see the major temples, shrines, and other sights.

Kamakura Station is the main hub for getting around. From there, you can walk to nearby sites, take the local Enoden train, or rent a bike for more flexibility.

Transportation Tips:

Kamakura is easy to reach from Tokyo. From our hotel (Hyatt Regency Tokyo), it took about 1.5 hours by public transit to reach Kamakura Station. I recommend using Google Maps for public transit directions since it is more accurate than Apple Maps.
If you plan to visit Enoshima as well (highly recommend!), the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass from Odakyu Railway includes round-trip transport from Shinjuku to Enoshima and unlimited rides on the Enoden train for the day.
For local travel, Suica or Pasmo cards work on trains and buses. We used our Suica Card through Apple Wallet for all public transit. If you have an iPhone, I recommend adding a Suica Card to your Apple Wallet before your trip. If not, you can purchase a physical Suica Card (or similar IC card) once you arrive in Japan.

💡Tip: If you want to avoid the crowds at popular temples like Hasedera and Kotoku-in, arriving as early as possible is ideal. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.

➡️ If you are combining Kamakura with a Tokyo trip, my 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary breaks down how I spent each day exploring the city’s main neighborhoods and must-see areas.

Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (9:30 – 10:30 AM)

From Kamakura Station, walk about 15 minutes to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura’s most important Shinto shrine.

You can explore the main hall, walk around the grounds, and see the small ponds and statues.

It is a great way to start your temple and shrine visits without having to walk too far from the station.

Looking for a Hotel?

Explore Booking.com for your hotel needs – they offer budget-friendly prices and a variety of room types!

Go to Booking.com

Need a Rental Car?

For all your rental car needs, head over to Expedia! It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of affordable options!

Go to Expedia

Guided Tours/Activities

When it comes to booking guided tours and excursions, my top pick is Get Your Guide!

Go to Get Your Guide

Walk Along Komachi-dori Street & Grab Lunch (10:30 – 11:30 AM)

Next, walk to Komachi-dori Street, a popular area for grabbing food and purchasing souvenirs.

The street has shops, cafes, and food stalls where you can try local food.

Some popular foods to try on Komachidori Street include:

Shirasu (Whitebait): You can try this at many places along Komachi-dori street but Asahina is a popular spot!
Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream: Perfect for an afternoon treat! I recommend going to Kamakura Chacha.

Kotoku-in (Big Buddha) and Hasedera Temple (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM)

Next, take the Enoden train from Kamakura Station to Hase Station (about 5 minutes).

From there, you can walk to Kotoku-in, home to Kamakura’s Great Buddha. This was my favorite thing we did in Kamakura! It is such an impressive and stunning statue.

The bronze statue is over 13 meters tall and dates back to the 13th century. You can go inside for a small fee, but there isn’t much to see. We did it, and it’s not really worth it – in my opinion.

Next, you can walk a few minutes to Hasedera Temple, which is known for its eleven-headed statue of Kannon and its gardens with ocean views.

The temple also has Benten Cave, which contains many carved Buddhas worth seeing.

💡Tip: Both Kotoku-in and Hasedera are cash-only for admission, so make sure you have some yen. I withdrew cash from 7-Eleven ATMs during my trip to Japan.

💡Tip: If you visit in June, hydrangea season, Hasedera’s garden paths are full of beautiful blooms.

Optional Stop: Meigetsu-in Temple (Hydrangea Temple) is not too far away and worth visiting if you love gardens, especially during early summer.

The stunning blue colored large Great Buddha Statue in Kamakura making it a must-add to your 1-day Kamakura itinerary.

The view of the massive Kotoku-In Great Buddha statue which is one of the most popular sights in Kamakura.

Optional: Yuigahama Beach (1:30 – 2:15 PM)

If you have extra time before heading to Enoshima, consider walking down to Yuigahama Beach.

It’s a nice place to relax and enjoy the ocean.

In summer, it’s busy with swimmers and small cafes along the shore.

💡Tip: The walk from Hase Station to Yuigahama Beach takes about 15 minutes. If you’re visiting in the summer, consider packing a small towel so you can sit on the beach.

Enoshima Island (2:15 – 4:30 PM)

From Hase Station, take the Enoden train toward Enoshima Station. The ride is super scenic since it runs along the coastline and takes about 20 minutes.

Enoshima is a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge. It has shrines, walking paths, and beautiful viewpoints looking out over the ocean.

On Enoshima Island, we followed an All Trails walking route that started across Enoshima Benten Bridge and led to several ocean viewpoints.

Here are other things to do on Enoshima Island:

See Enoshima Shrine: Dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten.
Explore Samuel Cocking Garden & Enoshima Sea Candle: You can climb to the top of Enoshima Sea Candle for panoramic views.
See the Iwaya Caves: Located at the far end of the island, these caves have interesting rock formations.

I recommend spending at least two to three hours exploring the island.

On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji from certain viewpoints.

The coastal views of the expansive ocean while walking over the bridge that connects Enoshima to Enoshima Island which is a short trip from Kamakura.

The bright red and black large Torii Gate marking the entrance to Enoshima Shrine up a steep set of concrete stairs on Enoshima Island.

The beautiful coastal views overlooking the ocean on Enoshima Island where you can see a harbor full of boats docked.

The bright red Enoshima Benten Bridge that you can walk along over the ocean on Enoshima Island.

The rocky and rugged coastline overlooking the ocean with powerful waves crashing along the rocks on Enoshima Island.

Getting Back to Tokyo (4:30 – 6:00 PM)

Now, it is time to head back to Tokyo after a long day of exploring Kamakura and Enoshima Island.

I recommend using Google Maps for public transit directions to get you back to Tokyo.

How to Get Around in Kamakura

Most of the major sights in Kamakura are connected by the Enoden train, a local line that runs between Kamakura and Fujisawa.

You can also walk between some stops or rent a bicycle for more flexibility.

Kamakura is very easy to visit on your own as a day trip from Tokyo, and we had a lot of fun exploring on our own! But, if you prefer to join a guided tour, this Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour from Tokyo on Get Your Guide is highly-reviewed and relatively affordable. You can book the guided tour here or below!

Practical Tips for Kamakura

👟Comfortable Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes since you will be walking a decent amount between the sights. I wore my Hoka Clifton 9s during my entire 18-day Japan trip, and I loved them!
💵Have Some Cash on Hand: While some shops and cafés accept cards, many smaller stalls are cash-only. Keep some yen on hand just in case. We withdrew cash from 7-Eleven ATMs since they have one of the best exchange rates and are easy to find.
⏰Start Early: Popular sights like the Great Buddha and Hasedera can get crowded later in the day. Arriving earlier makes sightseeing more enjoyable!
🚉Use an IC Card: You will use an IC card to pay for public transit (trains, buses, etc.). If you have an iPhone, you can add the Suica card to your Apple Wallet which is what we did. If you don’t have an iPhone, you can buy a physical Suica card to use.
🏯Check Temple Closing Times: Many temples in Kamakura close by 4:00 or 4:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
🌦️Weather Prep: Kamakura can be hot and humid in summer. Bring sunscreen, a hat, or a light rain jacket depending on the season. It was raining when we visited Kamakura in early June.
📌Use Google Maps: For public transit directions, I recommend using Google Maps! It is more detailed and accurate than Apple Maps. For walking directions, Google Maps and Apple Maps both work well.

Final Thoughts on 1-Day Kamakura Itinerary

Kamakura is a great day trip from Tokyo, offering a mix of history, nature, and coastal views in one day.

With this 1-day Kamakura itinerary, you will get to see some of its most famous sights while still having time to enjoy the atmosphere and try local food.

Whether it’s your first time in Japan or you’ve been before, visiting Kamakura as a day trip from Tokyo is 100% worth it!

Check out my other Japan blog posts to help you plan your Japan itinerary!