KAMAKURA FAQ`S
Kamakura is located 32 miles south, southwest of Tokyo and can be reached by flying into Tokyo`s Haneda Airport and connecting via the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, changing to the JR Yamanote Line then changing at Shinagawa to the JR Yokosuka Line arriving at Kamakura Station in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Arriving at the Narita Airport, which is located 76 miles away from Kamakura, travelers can board the JR Rapid Airport Express train to Ofuna Station, transfer to the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line all the way to Kamakura in 3 hours.
If you have not booked a private transfer through us there are a few options to reach the city from the airport, such as trains, rental cars and buses available.
What types of transportation can I find at the airport?The quickest and easiest way to reach Kamakura is by train from Tokyo with travel times ranging from 1 hour to 1 ½ hours. There are three train lines that will connect travelers from Tokyo to Kamakura, the JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo to Shinagawa station and change to Yokosuka line at the Ofuna Station, which is two stops away from Kamakura station. The journey costs around ¥920.
JR Shonan Shinjuku Line takes around 1 hour from the Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Kamakura costing ¥920 one way.
The Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass is possibly the cheapest way to visit the city of Kamakura costing around ¥1,470 for round trip transportation from the Shinjuku Station to Kamakura on the Odakyu Railway with unlimited access on the Enoden Line with a journey taking 90 minutes.
How do I get from the train station to my hotel?The Kamakura Station is the main railway station located about 3 miles from the junction at Ofuna Station in Kamakura. The station is on the Yokosuka Line and a terminal station for the Enoshima Electric Railway. The station is operated by the East Japan Railways Company (JR East).
The Kamakura Tourist Information Center and the Ekisuto Kamakura shopping center are situated at the station`s east exit where many restaurants, shops, and transportation such as buses, taxis, and rickshaws can be found.
How do I get around the city using public transportation?The main transportation options found within the city of Kamakura are buses and taxis. The main train station is the center of the city where many of the city`s attractions radiate from, some within walking distance others can be found on the city bus network. Yokohama Keikyu and Enoshima buses operate in the city, the bus station is by the Kamakura station and transport visitors to the main tourist attractions in the city and go as far as Yokohama.
Jinrikisha or rickshaws are a unique, authentic way to scoot around the city. These are prominently found outside the Kamakura Station, a man pulls the rickshaw which can hold two passengers. The drivers will point out historical sights and sightseeing spots and surrounding areas in the city. Rickshaws can be rented for 30 or 60 minutes for sightseeing in the city which comes with a locally knowledgeable driver, prices vary based on time and distance traveled.
Kamakura has its own train line, the Enoden train line, an iconic feature in the city that connects Kamakura to Enoshima and Fujisawa via the coastline of Enoshima. The train line transports both locals and visitors on a route through the city and the major tourist spots around town with connections to the main train stations.
Should I rent a car in Kamakura?There is really no need for renting a car while visiting Kamakura. It is a small city with some very narrow streets which can be hard or impossible to navigate in a car. The use of public transportation in the city along with walking or renting a bicycle is the easiest ways to get around.
How do I call/hail a taxi?Taxis are available in Kamakura and the majority of them can be found outside the main Kamakura Train station.
Is Kamakura a walking city?Walking around the main part of the city, close to the main train station where many hotels, shops, eateries, and sightseeing attractions can be found is easily done on foot. Walking to most of the temples and shrines is possible from the station with sites found to the east and the west. The small compact city offers many walking tours that lead visitors to the main tourist sights, as well as attractive walking and hiking trails in the forested hillside areas.
The Daibutsu Hiking Trail is 1.36 miles long linking Jochiji Temple in Kita-Kamakura with the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) in the west, with several trails leading off the main course to other smaller shrines and temples. The Gionyama Course starts from Myohonji Temple passing the Yagumo Shrine and Harakiri Yaura cave. And the Tenen Course connects Zuisen-Ji Temple with Kencho-Ji Temple.
Can I ride a bike in Kamakura?Renting a bicycle in the city of Kamakura is highly recommended. Riding a bike allows you to visit the area`s attractive temples and shrines and take in the stunning scenic surroundings. There are many rental places located in the city with affordable rates that cost around ¥800 for an hour with additional hours starting around ¥250 or ¥2000- ¥3000 per day. Kamakura Rental Cycles is located at the east exit of Kamakura Station.
Is Kamakura a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?Kamakura is remarkably safe and Japan has long been known as one of the world`s most crime-free countries. Crimes against visitors are practically unheard of and lost belongings are generally turned into local police. Keep your wits about you and practice street smarts when out sightseeing.
What are some popular areas for shopping?There are plenty of shopping opportunities to uncover in Kamakura, many found right outside of the main station. Komachi Street is the shopping street near Kamakura Station, the major shopping destination in the city. The street stretches towards Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and is brimming with hundreds of shops, cafes, and restaurants. This is one of the best locations in the city to shop for Japanese souvenirs and eat local Kamakura cuisine.
Onari Street and Walk Omachi are some other shopping destinations in the city. Onari Street is located near the west exit of Kamakura Station and is the place where the local`s shop and features cafes and accessory shops. Walk Omachi is a shopping mall just a 10-minute walk from the station with 8 tenants in the two-story terrace house buildings housing fascinating stores including Books Moblo a unique bookstore and Goto Udon Sara serving up delicious Japanese udon.
Some of the most popular items to buy when visiting the city are Hatosabure, dove-shaped shortbread cookies, Giant Buddha shaped pastries stuffed with red bean paste, Kamakura carvings lacquerware and other traditional crafts, Japanese blades, and Konnyaku jelly soaps.
Where can I visit the beaches?The city of Kamakura is wedged between the ocean and the mountains boasting some very popular beaches nestled along the Shonan Coast. Summertime is a popular time to visit the beaches including Yuigahama, the main beach in Kamakura where the famous firework displays are held in the summer. Inamuragasaki is the most famous beach in Kamakura where Inamuragasaki Park is located and a spectacular spot to watch a sunset and also the location of the film `Inamura Jane`. Surfers flock to Shichirigahama Beach, another great beach but swimming is prohibited here.
What is the best time to visit Kamakura?Kamakura features a relatively gentle climate with comfortable weather that lasts throughout the year. Average annual temperatures are around 61 F, the lowest temperatures drop around 50 degrees in March and reach up to 81 degrees in the summer months. The city is wedged between the sea and the mountains boasting cooler summer temperatures and warmer winters. The city offers some different appearances throughout the seasons, cherry blossoms start to bloom in April, June, July, and August bring the summer temperatures and the rainy season, hydrangeas bloom in June. The beaches and beach houses open from July 1st to August 31st and the Kamakura Fireworks Festival takes place at the end of July. October, November, and December bring the colder temperatures with lows dropping down in the 40s and 50s along with holiday and new year celebrations.
I don`t speak Japanese will there be many people who speak English?Japanese is the language spoken in Kamakura, but English is widely spoken throughout the country with announcements on public transportation frequently made in Japanese and English, most signs include roman characters or an English explanation. Most Japanese people study English in junior high and high school so you are best seeking out younger people who may be able to help and translate for you.
It is best to have your destination written down in Japanese so you are able to show this to your taxi driver or people on the street. People are always willing to help whether they can speak English or not.
We recommend that you get a good English - Japanese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1 - 10.
What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency in Japan is the yen symbolized by ¥. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand and be prepared to exchange your dollars to yen upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and bank locations throughout the city, ATM`s are widespread. ATM`s are located at Post office`s all over the city, look for a symbol that indicates `International ATM Service` or `Authorized Foreign Exchange` (a green clover) and stickers indicating which cards are accepted.
For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Japan by clicking Japan
What is the food like?The city of Kamakura specializes in local seafood dishes using fresh young `shirasu` sardines from the nearby ocean. Shirasu is used in a number of dishes such as rice bowls, shirasu on top of pizza, shirasu pasta and `tatami iwashi` where they are sun-dried in the form of thin paper.
Dishes featuring freshly-caught shirasu, or young sardines, are Kamakura dining table staples. Some of the many variations include shirasu rice bowls, shirasu-topped pizza, and shirasu pasta. In addition, Kamakura-grown vegetables are prized by gourmet chefs, so visit some restaurants which serve locally-sourced vegetable dishes if they pique your interest.
Shojin cuisine consists of Kamakura vegetables and grains cultivated in the area; vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, spinaches, and welsh onions are commonly used in restaurants. Vegetarian meals are in abundance around the city with all the fresh local vegetables.
Kamakura is also well known for ham with the ham making business being around for over a century during the Meiji era, it has become one of the most well-known products in the city. Ham is sold around the city in vacuum-sealed packages and can be savored at many of the local cafes and restaurants.
There are over 80 spectacular dining options around the city, that come in the form of cool cafes, oceanside restaurants, local authentic eateries, and food snack stands. Many of these establishments are found around the train station where Japanese, Chinese, Italian and French cuisine can be found.
What is the nightlife like?The city of Kamakura features a fantastic nightlife that can be found down narrow alleyways in hidden gems such as Higurashi Bunko a quaint, cozy bar with bookshelves found by Kamakura Stations. Bar Sharman is a live music bar located down another alleyway on Komachi Street, a great location to enjoy drinks while listening to jazz in a laid back authentic atmosphere. In the summertime, there are bars found lining the beach many with live bands playing and sunset drink specials flowing.
Kamakura boasts a great line up of locally brewed beers, Oktoberfest is an event not to miss in this city with highlights on the regions best brews including Shonan Beer by Kumazawa Brewing, a sake producer from nearby Chigasaki. Daibutsu Beer is the local beer with cool packaging and sold in restaurants and shops all over the city.
What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?If you need emergency services while in Japan dial 110 for the police or 119 to call an ambulance or report a fire.
Hospitals:
Shonan Kamakura General Hospital tel. 81-467-46-1717
Kamakurahiro Hospital tel. 81-467-24-7171