Holiday in Kamakura

About Kamakura

Kamakura, located just an hour south of Tokyo, was the capital of the first shogunate in the 12th and 13th centuries and still radiates an aura of quiet dignity that is unmatched in the bustling Tokyo metropolitan area. The former power center of the Minamoto clan houses over 65 temples and 19 shrines, nestled in wooded hills and surrounded by the sea. The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura is the city's landmark: The 13-meter tall bronze statue from 1252 has been sitting in the open air since a devastating tsunami in 1495 destroyed the surrounding temple hall, giving it a poignant vulnerability. The Hasedera Temple enchants with a gilded Kannon statue, lush hydrangea gardens (June is the best time), and a panoramic view over Sagami Bay. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura's most significant sanctuary, stands at the end of a wide avenue lined with cherry trees and is particularly dreamy during the cherry blossom season in April. Hiking trails through the surrounding hills connect secluded Zen temples such as the meditatively quiet Engakuji or the bamboo-surrounded Hokokuji, where one can enjoy matcha in a tea pavilion under rustling bamboo stalks. Enoshima Island off the coast entices with caves, a lighthouse, and fresh seafood. Kamakura is the perfect day trip from Tokyo—or a rewarding stop for those wishing to experience Japanese history and spirituality away from the hustle and bustle of the city.