Kamakura
Once the capital of the Kamakura Shogunate, which ruled Japan for almost 200 years, modern-day Kamakura is now a quiet, pleasant seaside town with a wealth of well-preserved historical attractions. Surrounded by wooded hills, ocean, and a beautiful beach, Kamakura is a thriving tourist destination.
Among Kamakura's top sights are the Five Zen Temples, the oldest of which dates back to 1188; the ancient Shinto shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, built in 1063; and the massive, imposing Great Buddha of Kamakura, housed within the grounds of Kotokuin Temple.
Experiences
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Five Zen Temples
Take a privately guided walking tour of the city’s renowned Five Zen Temples: Kencho-ji, Engaku-ji, Jufuku-ji, Jochi-ji, and Jomyo-ji; the latter, founded in 1188, was rebuilt in the 1990s, and now hosts a rock garden and tea room, where guests can partake in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Hasedera Temple
Ascend the hills to Hasedera Temple, famous for its massive, 11-headed, 30-foot (10 meter) tall statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Hasedera offers striking views over the city and Sagami Bay.
Kotokuin Temple
Visit Kotokuin Temple, home to one of the most memorable sights in Japan, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Cast in 1252, the nearly 800-year-old statute sits exposed on the side of a hill, having survived a huge tidal wave in the 15th century that swept away the temple that once housed it. It weighs 121 tons (109 metric tons), is 44 feet (13 meters) tall, with each serene eye measuring 3 feet (1 meter) wide.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the city’s most important Shinto shrine, founded in 1063. In 2010, the shrine grounds lost a cherished part of its landscape when powerful winds felled the 1,000-year-old, 100-foot (30 meter) tall ginko tree that stood at the steps leading up to the main hall.
Japan Regions
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
Hokkaido
Kyushu
Honshu
Southern Islands
Shikoku
Tohoku
- Akita
- Aomori
- Fukuoka
- Fukushima
- Hakone
- Hiroshima
- Iwate
- Iya Valley
- Izu Peninsula
- Kagoshima
- Kamakura
- Kanazawa
- Karuizawa
- Kirishima
- Kobe
- Kotohira & Takamatsu
- Kumamoto
- Kyoto
- Lake Shikotsu
- Lake Toya
- Matsuyama & Imabari
- Mie
- Miyagi
- Muroto
- Nagasaki
- Naoshima & Seto Inland Sea Islands
- Nara
- Nikko
- Niseko
- Okinawa
- Osaka
- Sapporo
- Tokyo
- Yakushima Island
- Yamagata
- Yokohama
Multi-Country Specialists
Japan Goes Well With
Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Five Things to Know About Watching Baseball in Japan
- Author
- Travelogues
Cheerleaders, history, balloons — watching baseball in Japan is a whole new way to see the game.
Heal Your Soul: 5 Journeys Through Japan for Your Wellbeing
- Author
- Travelogues
Whether it’s the wilds of Tohoku or the hot springs of Ishikawa, Japan has a wealth of experiences for your wellbeing.
Naohito Ise: Japan National Tourism Organization on Post-Covid Travel
- Author
- Travelogues
Remote Lands speaks to executive director Naohito Ise of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) about the future of travel in Japan.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
A couple from Florida - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016
As the trip progressed strangers became friends. Particularly special was the effortlessness: perfect logistics, never having to worry about anything, and, of course, the charming and thoughtful way you organised everything.
Family from England
Your arrangements were absolutely impeccable - everything happened exactly as it was supposed to.
