Private Tour of North Kamakura Temples with licensed guide

Private Tour of North Kamakura Temples with licensed guide

Kamegayatu-zaka slope, 900 year old cut through

From the main hall of Tsurugaoka Hachimanngu Shrine

Guardian dog, Tsurugaoka　Hachimanngu Shrine

Duration3h - 3h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesJapanese, English

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This tour will mainly visit tranquil temples that are popular among the locals, not the usual tourist spots.

Different from touristy and crowded temples, you will be able to relax and enjoy the quiet temples with the flowers, moss, greenery, and in late fall, the autumn leaves.

The guide is not a guide sent from Tokyo. The guide is a local who has lived near the Kamakura area for about 40 years, loves the tour course, and has a government certification.

The guide's explanation of Kamakura's history, religion and traditions will bring you even closer to the people of that time. For example, 800-year-old cut-through and the tragedy of the princess enshrined in the Jizo Hall. The guide's explanations can be reduced on request.

This is a private tour where only for you or for your couple with a guide. This means that you can enjoy this tour without being bothered by other guests.

It will end at noon to 0:30 p.m. by walking speed. So, you can make your afternoon plans as you wish.

Options

Meigetsu-In or Chouju-Ji route

Meigetsu-In or Chouju-Ji

meet at Tokyo Hotel for above

Meet at hotel receiption desk: Guide will meet you in the morning and go to Kamakura together by train. Not valid for the return trip, excl. guest tickets.

What's included

Professional Local Tour Guide
Entrance fees of temples for the guide

Coffee and/or Tea
Bottled water
Comfortable walking shoes for 4 km walk
Gratuities
Insurance for guests such as accidents, theft
All spots to visit in this course

What to expect

Meigetsuin (Hydrangea Temple)
33m · Admission ticket not included

Walk 7 minutes. (see remarks) Meigetsu-In, known as "Hydrangea Temple" is famous nationwide with approximately 2,500 hydrangea varieties with beautiful blue colors from the end of May to the end of June. It is a Zen temple built in the late 14th century and there is a dry landscape garden, an back garden (closed to the public), and a teahouse. Remarks) After the course briefing at the tour start, if you select Chouju-Ji Temple (open basically only Fridays in April to June and October to early December) instead of Meigetsu In, this tour will go directly to Jochiji Temple then Chouju-Ji Temple i.e. no visit to Meigetsu-In Temple.
Jochiji Temple
45m

Walk three minutes. Jochi-ji Temple is a very serene Zen temple. The temple is famous for its moss-covered approach, a building that houses an old Buddhist image, and Hotei Son (one of the seven gods of good fortune), who is located on a rock ledge carved out of the cliff, Yagura. It is said that if you stroke Hotei Son's belly, you will gain virtue, popularity, and energy.
Chojuji Temple
33m · Admission ticket not included

Walk 9 minutes. Chouju-Ji Temple is a hidden Zen temple as it is almost inaccessible on the Web and has a limited open schedule for general tourists and is a beautiful temple that is a strong favorite among the locals. Visitors can relax on the porch, immerse themselves in flowers, moss, and green (or autumnal foliage), and enjoy the silence. Conversation is not recommended. There is no explanation in the main hall by the guide. Open basically only Fridays in April to June and October to early December. Temporarily close to the public on days of rain.
Iwafune Jizodo
3m

After walk over Kamegayasuzaka slop, 800 year old cut-through for 8 minutes, you will see small wooden building, related to tragedy in 12th centry samurai princess.
Kaizoji Temple
45m · Admission ticket not included

Walk 9 minutes. Kaizo-ji Temple is a Zen temple where beautiful flowers can be seen all year round. It is not so famous in terms of tourism, but is very popular among the locals. A tunnel behind the temple grounds leads to a cave with 16 round wells, dag in the early 14th century.
Jufukuji Temple
5m

Walk 12 minutes. The tour stops at Jufuku-ji Temple's outer gate and walks nearly 80 meters along the beautiful path to the Sanmon gate. This will be an excellent photo opportunity. The temple grounds are not open to the public.
Shirahata Shrine, Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine
45m

Walk 9 minutes. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is dedicated to the Hachiman God, the god of war who protects the Genji clan that founded the Kamakura Shogunate. This huge shrine was built under the patronage of the Kamakura Shogunate and remains a must-visit place for tourists in Kamakura.
Today, the shrine is popular among Japanese people, with 2.5 million people paying homage to the shrine on New Year's Day. It has interesting facilities such as Torii gates, Maiden (dance hall), and Honden (main hall). Shirahata Shrine, a shrine of the Minamoto clan, is also located on the same site. It is an interesting place to learn about customs of Shintoism that is still widely believed in by the Japanese people today.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

At the East Exit of the station. If you come from Tokyo, it is one station before Kamakura Station. That Exit is at the end of the platform you just got off. (Unfortunately mark in the below map is incorrect in detail) A guide with a "Viator" paper will be there 5 minutes before the tour starts.

End point

This tour ends at Torii gate No. 3 of Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine. This spot is a central location to explore more. Kamakura station is 750 meters away, a ten-minute walk.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (4)