Things to Do in Kamakura, Japan

Kamakura is located about an hour south of Tokyo. It is a coastal town that is home to close to 200,000 residents. Visitors enjoy taking a trip to this city for many reasons. Its combination of beaches, temples, and shrines along with being close to Tokyo are just some of the things that make this a popular tourist destination in Asia. Visitors to Kamakura can find a lot of different things to do and it has activities and places to see that fit people of all ages. There are a few attractions that stand out from the others and that should be considered if you are planning a trip to this region.

1. Enoshima

This is an island that is connected to the mainland by a bridge. It can be reached by taking a very short train ride. The island offers the beaches that many tourists want to visit along with a yacht harbor that is accessible by water or by car. There is a hill that visitors can access on foot or by elevators that is the home to several shrines that are also popular. During the summer months, the beaches are full of people who want to enjoy the sun, but the area offers many other activities including an aquarium.

2. The Great Buddha

There are plenty of Buddha statues that can be found in many different places, but this statue is able to tower above many of them. It stands over 13 meters in height and is made from bronze. The statue was cast in 1235 and was located inside a large temple hall until that was destroyed by typhoons and tidal waves several times. It now is out in the open for all to enjoy.

3. Hachimangu Shrine

This shrine is usually considered to be the most important shrine that can be found in Kamakura. It was founded in the 11 current sites during the 12 Minamoto Family and to samurais, Hachiman. The grounds include the main hall and many displays of the antiques that are owned by the shrine. These displays are in a small museum. A garden and two ponds are also something that many people enjoy taking in.

4. Hiking Trails

Unlike the beaches in the south of the city, the rest of the city is surrounded by wooded hills. There are plenty of hiking trails that can be found and enjoyed by tourists. A walk along these trails allows visitors to take in all of the natural beauty of a place that is so close to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

5. Zeniarai Shrine

Laundering money is considered to be something that is illegal. This shrine is known as the place where people can legally wash their money. The idea behind washing money in the waters of this shrine is that it will cause the money to double. That type of superstition makes this a must-visit place for any traveler who has seen how expensive traveling through Japan can be.