KAMAKURA - Home to the Great Buddha Hall I JAPAN I ELJUN #buddha #shrine #temple

Located just one hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura is home to the Great Buddha Hall, Tsuruhachimangu Shrine, and many other historic buildings, beautiful cafes, and cozy shops. This comprehensive guide explains all you need to know to enjoy Kamakura to the fullest.
Kamakura is a city in the southern part of Kanagawa Prefecture. More than eight centuries ago, it prospered as the seat of the Kamakura shogunate, back when samurai were the ruling class of Japan. Up until that point, Kyoto had been the nation’s capital, but Minamoto no Yoritomo carried out his nation-building endeavors with Kamakura as the hub of the country, and the culture of Kamakura still remains in many temples and traditional arts.

Temples that evoke the character of Kamakura’s time as the capital, places to try Zen meditation and participate in tea ceremonies remain in Kamakura today. The city’s seafood dishes, popular among gourmets, use fresh young sardines from the nearby ocean. In addition, there are many stylish cafes and shops making Kamakura a popular destination with all ages.

Getting To Kamakura From Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Or Shibuya
To get to Kamakura from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku or Shibuya Station, your most convenient route is via the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line on a train bound for Zushi. From Ikebukuro, the journey is one hour and three minutes; from Shinjuku, it takes 57 minutes; from Shibuya, it takes 52. The fare is 920 yen from all three stations.

Be careful when taking the Shonan Shinjuku Line. If you get on a train bound for Kozu or Odawara, you’ll need to switch midway at Ofuna Station and transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line. You don’t need to transfer on trains bound for Zushi, Yokosuka or Kurihama.

Getting To Kamakura From Tokyo And Shinagawa
You can head directly to Kamakura Station from Tokyo Station, Ueno Station or Shinagawa Station via the JR Yokosuka Line. The fare from Tokyo Station is 920 yen (57 minutes), and from Shinagawa Station, it’s 720 yen (49 minutes).