Best of Kamakura

Get a glimpse of Japan’s capital city with this shore excursion from Tokyo cruise port. Be amazed by the colossal Great Buddha of Kamakura statue at Kotokuin Temple, admire the majestic Hasedera Temple constructed on a tree-covered hill and immerse in the scenic landscape at Sankeien Garden before heading back to the port.

Full Itinerary

Warmly welcomed by our local guide and driver on your arrival at Tokyo port, transferred to the first attraction in this tour - Kotokuin Temple to admire the Great Buddha of Kamakura - a bronze statue of Amida Buddha standing on the grounds of the temple with a height of 11.4 meters. That makes it become the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. The statue was originally located inside a large temple hall which was later destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tsunami. Since then, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.

Pay a visit to Hasedera Temple built along the slope of a wooded hill. A pretty garden with ponds at the base of the slope welcomes as you enter the grounds. The temple’s main buildings stand halfway up the slope on a terrace allowing stunning views of the coastal city of Kamakura. Along the stairs heading up to the slope stands the Jizo-do Hall with hundreds of small statues of the Jizo Bodhisattva who helps the souls of deceased children to reach heaven. Walk into the Kannon Museum adjacent to the main hall. See some of the temple’s treasures, including Buddhist statues, a picture scroll, and a temple bell.

Head to Sankeien Garden before finishing the trip. It’s a spacious Japanese style garden exhibiting a number of historic buildings from the country. Among those buildings are an elegant daimyo (feudal lord) residence, tea houses, and the three-story Tomyoji Temple. A pond, small rivers, flowers, and wonderful scrolling trails create mesmerizing scenery. Trips end at a nice time with a ride back to the cruise port.