WHAT TO DO IN KAMAKURA

Though bordered by the ocean, the rest of the Kamakura area has hilly forests with walking paths and trails for nature-lovers. We recommend the 6-kilometer Tenen Hiking Course that starts from the Kencho-ji Temple and ends at the Zuisen-ji Temple in the east. Expect to climb steep stairs, spot tomb caves, and walk down unpaved roads so wear the most comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty throughout this hike.

Don’t worry if you have butterfingers, Takara Clay Studio is ideal for beginners who wish to learn how to make pottery from the locals. Their most popular creation is a dish designed with pressed leaves and lessons are conducted by the owners in a wooden house in the middle of a forest. If you’re not ready to get your hands dirty, literally, you simply watch the pros demonstrate how to make vases using an electric pottery wheel.

Nestled in the midst of the bamboo gardens of Hokoku-ji Temple, visit the wooden teahouse that serves traditional matcha (green tea) to guests yearning to immerse in nature. The vivid green color of the whisked tea matches the lush setting of the bamboo grove. With the flower- or leaf-shaped higashi sweets in your mouth to lessen the tea’s natural bitterness, slowly sip from the ceramic bowls using your two hands.

With origins at the beginning of the Kamakura period, yabusame or mounted archery started as a samurai ritual and became an annual event since Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun, ordered its practice. Every year, on the third Sundays of April, men demonstrate this difficult type of archery from a galloping horse at the shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the god of warriors and protector of the people.

How would you like to learn a new skill while traveling? Try your hand at shakyou, the art of copying or drawing Buddhist sutras (rules) at the Hase-dera Temple. This careful, repetitive action seems like a meditative ritual, where participants simply trace the characters underneath the sheet within one to two hours. Your work of art will be displayed in the temple but feel free to snap a photo for posterity’s sake.

If temple-hopping has been ticked off your list, why don’t you enjoy an early morning workout in your swimwear and try stand-up paddleboarding? Make the most of this coastal town by trying out one of the trendiest watersports. Veltra offers travel packages including 2-hour beginner lessons, wetsuit, longboard and paddle rental for adults and kids aged six and above. Once you’ve mastered standing up on the board, you could try surfing, too.

Riding the Enoden train is the most practical and convenient way for travelers to go up the hill of Hase, where Hase-dera temple and the Great Buddha are located. Some of these vintage trains have been around for over 100 years, connecting the towns of Fujisawa and Kamakura. What’s even more special is the journey itself, as trains traverse narrow neighborhoods and run along the tracks right next to the scenic Sagami Bay.

Take your significant other to Ryuren no Kane or “The Bell of Dragon Love”, the romantic side of Kanagawa. It is believed that pairs who ring the bell and attach a padlock with both their names to the wired fence will attain eternal love. Situated in Enoshima, 30 minutes away from Kamakura via the Enoden Line, the bell had been featured in many Japanese shows and movies, with the Sagami Bay serving as a beautiful backdrop.

With Japan’s extensive rail system, trains have become attractions themselves. Having operated for over 30 years, the suspended Shonan monorail is one of the most unique trains we’ve seen and purchasing a Kamakura-Enoshima Pass at Ofuna or Kamakura station is definitely worth it. Use this day pass to enjoy unlimited rides in the Kamakura/Enoshima areas on the JR line, Enoden Line and the Shonan Monorail.

Kencho-ji Temple, one of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples, offers zazen or the tradition form of Zen meditation led by monks. After a lesson on proper posture and breathing pattern, the 30-minute seated meditation followed by the chanting of the sutras is perfect for beginners. Another interesting aspect of zazen is when monks tap the shoulders of more experienced meditators using a keisaku or a flat, wooden zen stick when they lose concentration, slip into incorrect posture or even nod off.

It is believed that throwing a plate at the rock found at the Kuzuharaoka Shrine symbolizes the overcoming of negative obstacles in one’s life. If you’d like to drive away bad luck or destress, take the Daibutsu-Genjiyama hiking trail after a visit to the Great Buddha. Climb the stairs just off the road, keep hiking and walk past Genjiyama Koen (park) and you’ll find the Kuzuharaoka shrine on the left. At the entrance, drop a 100 yen coin per plate into the collection box and start smashing plates with all your might.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

4.0

1615 Reviews

Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yukinoshita 2-1-31

0467220315

6:00-20:30(21:00Gates shut )

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GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA

1-8-36 2F 3F Kamakura Kanagawa

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Hōkokuji Temple

4.5

706 Reviews

Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Joumyouji 2-7-4

0467220762

9:00-16:00

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Hasedera Temple

4.5

1733 Reviews

Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Hase 3-11-2

0467226300

8:00-17:00[Oct.-Feb.]8:00-16…

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Kenchoji Temple

4.5

537 Reviews

Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yamanouchi 8

0467220981

[Hours]8:30-16:30

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GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA

1-8-36 2F 3F Kamakura Kanagawa

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Kuzuharaoka Shrine

Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Kajiwara 5-9-1

0467459002

8:30-16:30

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