This guide covers a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura for the Great Buddha and seaside temples. It answers: “How to do a Kamakura day trip from Tokyo?”
Quick Facts
- Travel time: 1 hour from Tokyo Station (JR Yokosuka Line)
- Best for: Temple hopping, Great Buddha, coastal scenery
- Budget: ¥2,000-3,000 (train + temple fees)
- JR Pass: Fully covered to Kamakura Station
Suggested Route
Morning (9:00-12:00)
Arrive Kamakura Station → Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (main shrine, 10 min walk). Browse Komachi-dori shopping street on the way.
Midday (12:00-14:00)
Walk or bus to Hase-dera Temple – 9-meter wooden Kannon statue, garden views, Jizo statues. Lunch at local shirasu (whitebait) restaurant.
Afternoon (14:00-16:00)
Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) – 13-meter bronze Buddha, Kamakura’s icon. Can enter inside. Walk to Hase Station for Enoden train.
Late Afternoon Option
Take Enoden to Enoshima – Island with shrine, caves, beach views. Add 2 hours. Return to Kamakura or Fujisawa Station.
Tips
- Enoden Pass: ¥800 day pass if visiting multiple stops.
- Weekends: Very crowded. Visit weekdays if possible.
- Hiking: Trail connects Kita-Kamakura temples to central Kamakura (1.5 hours).
Getting There
Starting Point
Recommended: From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 60 minutes. From Shinjuku Station or Shibuya Station, take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line directly to Kamakura Station in approximately 60 minutes. Both routes are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Green Cars (first class) are available on these trains for an additional fee.
From Narita Airport (NRT)
Recommended (Premium): Take the 🔴 Narita Express (N’EX) from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2/3. Select trains run directly to Ofuna Station (one stop from Kamakura), but most require a transfer at Tokyo Station to the JR Yokosuka Line. The total journey takes approximately 110–130 minutes.
Budget: Take the 🟠 Keisei Access Express to Shinagawa Station, then transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura. This takes approximately 120 minutes and offers significant savings over the express train.
From Haneda Airport (HND)
Recommended (Mid-range): Take the 🔴 Keikyu Line from any terminal (T1, T2, T3) to Yokohama Station in approximately 25–30 minutes. At Yokohama, transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to reach Kamakura Station in another 25 minutes. This is the fastest and most frequent connection.
Alternative: Airport Limousine Buses run from all terminals to Yokohama Station or Ofuna Station, where you can transfer to a local JR train to Kamakura.
Useful Passes
For travelers starting from Shinjuku, the Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass covers the round trip on the Odakyu Line (via Fujisawa) and unlimited rides on the Enoden tram. If using JR lines from Tokyo Station, standard IC cards (Suica, PASMO) are the most convenient option. For exploring the local area, the Enoden 1-Day Pass (Noriorikun) allows unlimited travel on the scenic tram line between Kamakura and Fujisawa.
Sources
- Official guide: Kamakura Tourism
Last updated: 2026-02-03