Kanagawa

Travel Guide

• 20 Best Places to Go in Kamakura and Enoshima

  

  07.10.2020

• From earliest to latest, follow the blooming flowers of cherry blossom 2020

  

  24.03.2020

• 2020 April Best Events in Japan

  

  08.03.2020

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• 19 Best Summer Events in Japan 2019 ― July and August

  

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Top Things to do

• Kotoku-in Temple (Kamakura Daibutsu)

  4.5

  3021 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Hase 4-2-28

  A Pure Land Buddhist temple founded by the great priest Honen. The 11.3 meter tall, 121 ton giant copper Buddha statue known as the Kamakura Daibutsu, a National Treasure, is the temple’s principal object of worship and depicts a seated Amitabha. The original daibutsu was made of wood and was destroyed by a typhoon. The copper form of the current statue first began to be cast in 1252. This figure, too, was damaged by typhoons and earthquakes but was repaired each time, leading to its current excellent condition. The interior of the statue can be viewed and from here visitors can see evidence of the repairs that have been made.

• Enoshima

  4.5

  1085 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Fujisawashi Enoshima

  Enoshima is a tied island connected to the mainland via a sandbar. Known for its picturesque scenery since ancient times, the island is also home to Enoshima-jinja Shrine and numerous other historic Shinto shrines. Sightseeing spots have continued to accrue on the island over time, including the Samuel Cocking Garden as well as a stone monument dedicated to the 1964 Olympics. The Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse, which is lit up beautifully at night, is a more recent addition. In times past and today, Enoshima remains a popular tourist destination visited by countless travelers.

• Enoshima Aquarium

  4.0

  655 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Fujisawashi Katasekaigan 2-19-1

  Nicknamed the “Enosui” by locals, this aquarium is located inside Shonan Kaigan Park. The aquarium’s beautiful exhibits, designed to evoke a wondrous undersea world, are quite popular. The spherical “Jellyfish Planet” aquarium houses 14 varieties of jellyfish lit up with beautiful lighting. Once every hour, the world’s first 3D projection mapped jellyfish show is held throughout the entire floor. Enoshima Aquarium is filled with entertainment. A school of some 8,000 Japanese sardines can be seen swimming in a giant aquarium replicating the environment of Sagami Bay. An edutainment facility, another exhibit at the aquarium maps ocean currents and presents the various sea life which visits the area seasonally.

• Kenchoji Temple

  4.5

  531 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yamanouchi 8

  A 15 minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station. This celebrated Buddhist temple, the head temple of Rinzai Kenchoji Buddhism, is the first of the “Kamakura Gozan” (Five Mountain Temples of Kamakura) and was also Japan’s first Zen Buddhist temple. The temple was founded by Hojo Tokiyori, the fifth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, and the monk Lanxi Daolong. The highlight of the temple is its garden, which was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site in 1932. The ancient Chinese junipers growing in front of the temple and the garden pond behind the abbot’s chamber are particularly famous for their beauty. The temple also periodically holds sutra copying and zazen meditation sessions which enable average people to experience Zen training.

• Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine

  4.0

  433 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Sasuke 2-25-16

  Popularly known as “Zeniarai Benzaiten,” the Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine is located in the Sasuke district of Kamakura City. According to legend, the shrine was founded when, in the evening of the Day of the Snake in the Month of the Snake in 1185, Minamoto no Yoritomo was told in a dream that “If you pray to the Shinto deities and to the Buddha at this spring, peace will come to the land.” Subsequently, after the local ruler Hojo Tokiyori washed coins in the spring while praying for the prosperity of his clan, the belief spread that washing coins in the spring inside the cave would cause that money to increase. This practice is believed to be particularly effective if performed on the day of the temple festival dedicated to the goddess Benten, so the Shrine is usually thronged with worshippers on that day. The spring at the Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine is classed as one of the “Five Famous Springs of Kamakura.”

• Engakuji Temple

  4.5

  468 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yamanouchi 409

  Located in Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, this is the head temple of Rinzai Engakuji Buddhism. The temple is also considered the second of the “Kamakura Gozan” (Five Mountain Temples of Kamakura). The temple was built by the eighth shogun regent Hojo Tokimune in order to spread Zen Buddhism and impartially memorialize, without distinction between enemy and ally, those who died in the Mongol invasions of Japan. Today, the temple is still used to train Zen priests; ordinary people can also experience weekend zazen meditation sessions and other Zen training here as well. In addition, the Butsunichian and Nyoian temples on the grounds have a café and “amamidokoro” Japanese-style sweets café where customers can enjoy matcha powdered green tea and sweets.

• bills Shichirigahama

  4.0

  372 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Shichirigahama 1-1-1WEEKENDHOUSEALLEY2F

  This is the first “bills” in Japan, an Australian all-day casual dining experience found in the fashionable “WEEKEND HOUSE ALLEY” along Shichirigahama Beach. One can enjoy select fresh seasonal food while sitting on the terrace with an unbroken view of Shichirigahama Beach.

• Meigetsu-in Temple

  4.0

  418 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yamanouchi 189

  A Rinzai Kencho-ji Temple Buddhist temple located in Kamakura. The temple’s honorific mountain name is Fukugensan. The temple is also known as the Hydrangea Temple and during the rainy season the approach to the temple is covered with French hydrangea blossoms. The temple was once a sub-temple to the Zenko-ji Temple, but this temple was abolished in the early years of the Meiji period and now only the Meigetsu-in remains. A large circular window is built into the head priest’s chamber which gives a spectacular view of the garden. The window represents the cosmos and the mind and the unique view it provides has made it a popular subject for photographs.

• Enoshima Island Spa

  4.0

  241 Reviews

  Kanagawa Pref. Fujisawashi Enoshima 2-1-6

  A spa resort facility where visitors can enjoy over 10 types of baths, including ones that allow bathing suits. The spa is supplied by Enoshima’s only natural hot spring, which wells up from 1,500 meters below the surface of the island. The hot spring waters have a high salt content, good for helping to retain warmth, and the facility is accordingly popular with women for the benefits this water provides with aiding intestinal health. Built facing the sea, bathers in the outdoor pool can enjoy a sweeping view of Sagami Bay. The spa does not have any lodging facilities, but combination plans are offered in conjunction with various hotels. Enoshima Island Spa is located at the entrance to the island just past Enoshima Ohashi Bridge.