The Perfect Day Trip from Tokyo: Kamakura’s Temples, Beaches, and Sunset Views
One of Tokyo’s greatest luxuries isn’t inside the city—it’s just outside. With Japan’s famously efficient rail system, you’re never more than a short ride away from an entirely new atmosphere. And for me, there’s one destination I return to again and again: Kamakura.
Only an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura feels like stepping into a different rhythm of life. A breezy coastal town dotted with centuries-old temples, artisan cafés, slow-living beach vibes, and lush hillsides—it’s the perfect blend of culture, nature, and nostalgic charm. I’ve visited three times and each trip has revealed something new.
This guide offers a curated, walkable route to experience Kamakura like a local explorer—not just a checklist tourist. I’ve included maps at the end, with every location pinned for easy navigation. Lace up some good walking shoes (there are stairs, and lots of them), pack light, and if the weather’s in your favor—absolutely stay for sunset.
Over Kamakura City From Hase-Dera
Enoshima From Koshigoe Beach
Getting There: A Breeze from the City
Reaching Kamakura is wonderfully simple. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line directly to Kamakura Station (approx. 60 min). If you're starting from Shinjuku, a quick transfer from the Shonan-Shinjuku to Yokosuka Line at Yokohama Station gets you there in about the same time.
But before we jump into the heart of town, make a stop one station early—Kita-Kamakura.
Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station
Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station
Start Your Day in Serenity: Engaku-ji Temple
Recommended Time: 1-1.5 Hours
Step off the train at Kita-Kamakura Station, and just a few strides from the platform, Engaku-ji greets you with its sprawling temple complex, several pieces of stunning, intricate architecture and hillside views.
Arrive early—Engaku-ji opens at 8:30am (¥500 entrance fee)—and you might just have the temple to yourself. I wandered in at 9am to the soft clack of wooden sandals and the faint rustle of wind through the trees. The temple grounds unfold like a story: the Sanmon Gate from 1783, the solemn Butsuden Main Hall, koi-filled ponds, tucked-away tea houses, and hillside trails that snake past historic markers and quiet historical artifacts.
Slip off your shoes when required, explore freely, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a monk having morning tea. Don’t skip the hillside paths—¥100 gets you access to tranquil viewpoints and hidden relics.
Engaku-ji Butsuden from hillside pathway
Several monks roam the complex during morning
Kamakura’s Streets: Slow Down and Soak It In
Recommended Time: 1-2 Hours
You’ll instantly feel the shift in atmosphere of Kamakura City—lower buildings, pastel colors, and a laid-back beach town vibe.
Hop back on the JR line for one stop to Kamakura Station, and welcome to the gentle pulse of the city. Unlike Tokyo’s towering skyline, Kamakura keeps things grounded—low buildings, soft colors, and a relaxed, almost Californian vibe.
Just outside the station, Komachi-dori is a bustling alley lined with souvenir stalls, snack vendors, and sweet shops. If the crowds are too thick—especially with school field trips—skip it. Kamakura isn’t short on charm. Wander instead through the residential side streets, where colour-drenched houses and indie cafés sit quietly under rustling palm trees.
How to Get Around: Walk or Ride the Enoden
Kamakura is best explored on foot, but the Enoden line—a charming, old-school tram that hugs the coast—is there when you need a break. Trains come every 12–15 minutes and connect key sights between Kamakura and Fujisawa.
If your next stop is under a 20-minute walk, skip the train—you might stumble upon a fantastic surprise. Pro tip: have a few coins ready. On my last trip, the IC card reader at Koshigoe Station was down, and I had to buy a paper ticket (¥200–¥310). It felt like a throwback to simpler times.
Stop to Breathe: Yuigahama Beach
Recommended Time: 1 Hour
Golden sand, salt-slicked fishing nets, and a wide-open sky—Yuigahama is your reset button. Stop for a picnic, take off your shoes, and just sit a while. The beachside cafés here are low-key but offer stellar views and breezy lunch spots.
Next Up: Hase-dera Temple
Recommended Time: 1-2 Hours
Hase-dera is covered in gardens, with tucked-away corners and shaded staircases. Despite its size, it feels intimate, wrapped in trees and separated into various sections by stone pathways.
From Yuigahama, it’s a short stroll inland to Hase-dera, one of Kamakura’s most enchanting spots. A temple of gardens, grottoes, and seasonal blooms, Hase-dera is a place that quietly wraps around you.
Follow shaded stone steps through hydrangea-lined paths in early summer, enjoy the vast array of traditional archietcture, and climb behind the main hall for a panoramic view of the sea and city. Despite being popular, the layout spreads people out, so it still feels peaceful.
Sunset Beckons: Shichirigahama Beach
Recommended Time: 1 - 1.5hrs
Board the Enoden again and ride a few stops west to Shichirigahama Station. This beach is Kamakura’s showstopper—wide horizons, rocky coastal landscapes, surfers chasing the last wave, and if you're lucky, Mt. Fuji glowing on the horizon.
Just south of the station, a public lot has stairs leading to the beachfront—the perfect vantage point to catch the sunset depending on your timing. From here, I chose to walk the coastline all the way to Enoshima through golden hour. It takes about 60 mintues, and it’s one of the most scenic stretches I’ve experienced in Japan.
Enoshima in the distance from Shichirigahama Beach
Enoshima from Koshigoe Fishing Port
Koshigoe Beach with the bridge to Enoshima in the distance
Enoshima After Dark: Coastal Magic
Recommended Time: 1-2hrs
Cross the 400-meter bridge to Enoshima Island, your final stop. As twilight falls, the island’s energy shifts. Lanterns flicker, sea breezes cool the stone paths, and the shrines and cafés glow warmly under the stars.
Climb (or take escalators) to the Sea Candle Observatory at the top for sweeping night views, or detour to the Nishiura Fishing Point, just a narrow alley behind Enoshima Hiruma Restaurant. It’s one of the best-kept secrets for sunset photography—and again, that elusive glimpse of Fuji.
Stay for dinner, explore a few boutiques, and soak in the quiet magic before heading back.
Nishiura Fishing Point View
Enoshima Yacht Harbour (Built for 1964 Tokyo Olympics)
Enoshima Sea Candle
Getting Home
When you're ready to return, walk to Enoshima Station, take the Enoden to Fujisawa Station, and transfer to:
– JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (JS) for Shinjuku
– JR Tokaido Line (JT) for Tokyo Station
Final Thoughts
Kamakura isn't about rushing. It's about noticing. About slowing down just enough to hear waves beyond temple walls, or catching the scent of incense on a street corner. It rewards curiosity and presence. So take your time, walk a little more than you planned, and let Kamakura reveal itself—quietly, beautifully, and just a train ride away.