Kamakura

Kamakura "Zen Culture" Finding Tour

by Hiro

(7) Reviews

Check Availability

8h $ 242 Price up to 5 people

Highlights

Engaku-ji Temple: One of the biggest Zen temples in Kamakura. There are many old and important structures placed in the huge precinct.
Tokei-ji Temple : Known as a flower temple. A Zen temple that kept giving a helping hand to unhappy women in the long history.
Hokoku-ji Temple: Famous for its bamboo garden. It also has a typical Zen garden.
Jomyo-ji Temple: A quiet Zen temple. If you like, you can have a teatime in a style of Japanese tea ceremony enjoying a view of Zen garden.
Sugimoto-dera Temple: The oldest temple in Kamakura. One of my most favorite temples. You can make face-to-face meeting with various Buddhist statues in the old main building just as ancient people did long long time ago.
Hachiman-gu Shrine : Kamakura's iconic tourist's destination. More than 800 years ago, this place was the center of the samurai government.
Komachi-dori Shopping Street: The street leads you to Kamakura St. where you get on a train to go back.

What to Expect Important Reviews

Select Date and Travelers

When?

People

241.80 USD

Price up to 5 people

FREE cancellation 14 days prior

Extras (optional)

Meeting you at your hotel in the central Tokyo area is available at ex....

$ 18.60

Meeting you at your hotel in Yokohama area is available at extra charg....

$ 9.30

Escorting you to your hotel in the central Tokyo area is available at ....

$ 18.60

Escorting you to your hotel in Yokohama area is available at extra cha....

$ 9.30

What to Expect

Do you know a Japanese word, "Bushido" or samurai spirit? Its origin was in Kamakura. About 800 years ago, Kamakura was the capital of Japan. The leader of samurai warriors (Shogun) established samurai's domination over the country putting an end to the previous aristocracy in Kyoto, and Kamakura became the center of the first samurai military government. Samurai warriors were totally different creatures from the aristocrats. Having their main workplace in battlefields, the warriors were those who never had a fear of death. They didn't cling to life. They willingly devoted their lives to their jobs. How come they could get that extreme mindset? The secret was Zen Buddhism. It was the basics of Bushido. Zen was widely received in the Kamakura Period and deeply influenced the entire Japanese culture eventually. Let's find Zen culture through visiting iconic Zen temples, Zen gardens, and experiencing Japanese distinctive beauty of so-called Wabi and Sabi world in this ancient capital city.

Licensed Guide

(7) Reviews

Languages spoken

English ( License )

Contact Hiro Response Time: 12 hs

Highlights

Engaku-ji Temple: One of the biggest Zen temples in Kamakura. There are many old and important structures placed in the huge precinct.
Tokei-ji Temple : Known as a flower temple. A Zen temple that kept giving a helping hand to unhappy women in the long history.
Hokoku-ji Temple: Famous for its bamboo garden. It also has a typical Zen garden.
Jomyo-ji Temple: A quiet Zen temple. If you like, you can have a teatime in a style of Japanese tea ceremony enjoying a view of Zen garden.
Sugimoto-dera Temple: The oldest temple in Kamakura. One of my most favorite temples. You can make face-to-face meeting with various Buddhist statues in the old main building just as ancient people did long long time ago.
Hachiman-gu Shrine : Kamakura's iconic tourist's destination. More than 800 years ago, this place was the center of the samurai government.
Komachi-dori Shopping Street: The street leads you to Kamakura St. where you get on a train to go back.

Important

What‘s included

*guide fee
*transportation fee for your guide

What‘s not included

*your transportation fee

★In case you come from Tokyo area, one-way railway ticket from Tokyo to Kamakura costs you about 1000 yen/ adult.
★In addition, after arriving at Kamakura, the following transportation fee is required.
To Engaku-ji Temple and Tokei-ji Temple: It requires a 5-minute ride on a JR train from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura that costs you 130 yen. One way will do.
To Hokoku-ji, Jomyo-ji, and Sugimoto-dera Temple: It requires a 10-minute ride on a bus. The round trip from/to Kamakura St. costs you 400/ adult.

*entrance fee
Engaku-ji Temple---300 yen / adult
Tokei-ji Temple---200 yen / adult, Tokei-ji museum----400 yen / adult
Hokoku-ji Temple---200 yen / adult
Jomyo-ji Temple---200 yen / adult
Sugimoto-dera Temple---200 yen / adult
Hachiman-gu Shrine: No entrance fee is necessary.

●total transportation fee in Kamakura: 530 yen / person
●total entrance fee: 1500 yen / person

*any meals

Depart From

Kamakura , Tokyo, Yokohama

Meeting Point

at JR Kita-kamakura Station or at Your Hotel

Ending Point

at JR Kamakura Station or at Your Hotel

Duration

8 hours

Starting time

09:00 AM ( recommended ) Flexible

Number of people

up to 5 people Flexible

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes after I book?

Yes! If you need to make changes such as removing or adding someone to your booking or changing the date or time of your tour, contact us by phone or email

Starting and ending points of the tour.

After you secure your booking, the starting and ending points of your tour can be customized to your convenience (ex.: your hotel, nearby stations, etc.). Don't worry, we will take care of you! Some tours may have an extra fee for this service, make sure to check the tour page.

What happens after I book a tour?

After booking a tour, the guide will accept (or decline) your booking within 24 hours. Then you will be noticed by email from Triplelights.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is charged per group. Which means that you make a one-time payment for your entire group and the price will not change if it is less or more people.

Can I add more people to my booking?

Some guides accept extra people (more than the specified number) for an extra charge. Please check for the extras on the tour or booking page, or contact your guide directly to clarify.

Will there be other tourists in my tour?

No. Your tour is private, only for you and your family or friends, there will be no other group of tourists together in your tour.

Can the guide pickup me at the airport?

Yes, but there will be additional charge for that and it is not by car. The guide will go pick you up using public transportations. For further details, please contact your guide directly.

I'm travelling alone. Can I book this tour?

Yes, you can and you may be able to get a discount if you are traveling alone. Price depends on which guide you choose.

View More Frequently Asked Questions read more

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 14 day(s) in advance of the meeting date, there is a 100% refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 13 day(s) in advance of the meeting date, there is a 20% charge.
If you cancel within 1 day prior to the meeting date, there is a 40% charge.
If you cancel on the meeting date, there is no refund.

About Hiro

Licensed Guide

(7) Reviews

Contact Hiro

Response Time 12 hs

Languages spoken

English ( License )

Hello, my dear would-be guests! My name is Hiroko Yamasaki. People call me Hiro for short. I am a government licensed guide. Here I am to make your time in a tour full of fun and provide you an unforgettable travel experience of your life. I grew up and live in Yokohama that is adjacent to Tokyo. After many years of several English-related job experiences, such as translating, teaching, desk work, etc., I finally found this job, tour guide, which is a perfect fit for my true nature. I love meeting people, having fun with people, and am always looking for something interesting wanting to share it with people. How about spending a part of your precious time here in Japan with this cheerful, friendly and well-informed tour guide, Hiro? read more

Reviews ( 7 )

Jason United States

Excellent

5 months ago | by Jason

“ Kamakura Full Day Trip ”

Hiro was an excellent, very efficient and knowledgeable guide for our day trip to Kamakura. While the sights were beautiful the background history she provided really added to the experience. Hiro was very accommodating with our requests and patient with all our questions. We had nice detour to a local coffee shop (unplanned) and enjoyed a nice relaxing drink. Hiro was very flexible with us throughout the day. We would recommend Hiro to any person interested in taking a tour of Kamakura. Thank you Hiro! We hope to see you again someday!

Hiro:

Thank you very much, Jason. How nice of you to send the kind words. I really enjoyed the tour in Kamakura with you. You all turned out to be good walkers, so I might have made you tired at the end of the day. I really hope you've been fine from the following day. You were so vigorous that it was very happy for me to talk about many things with the active travelers like you three. Let me take you to Enoshima Island next time! Thanks a lot, again. Please convey my deep gratitude to Caitlin and Matt as well for me. Cheers! Hiro

Alessandro United States

Excellent

6 months ago | by Alessandro

“ A day in Kamakurra ”

She was outstanding! Spoke great English and was extremely attentive throughout the day - especially because we were travelling with a 1 year old baby. We used 5 different guides during our trip throughout Japan and we considered Hiro to be the best one of the group in terms of not only knowledge but also making sure we visited the sites we requested in the custom tour.

Hiro:

Thank you very much for your nice comments! Your review gives me great encouragement. I enjoyed every moment of the day being with you, your wife, and your lovely princess.(I was so crazy about the cute little angel!) I will treasure your words and this experience as the happiest guide in the world. Thanks again, and I hope the travel leaves you full of pleasant memories of the family.

Normita Philippines

Excellent

8 months ago | by Normita

“ Choose Hiro "omotenashi". ”

Ms. Hiro was perfect, she was kind and very well informed with the places and Japan's history. She's well informed with transportations around Japan and she speaks very good English.

Hiro:

Thank you very much for sending your nice review, Mita-san! I appreciate your comments. I had a great day being with such a friendly person like you and your lovely daughter. I hope Kamakura gave you a favorable impression and left pleasant memories of a mother-and-daughter cherishing trip. Thanks a lot, again! Hiro

Katherine ( Couple ) Australia

Excellent

10 months ago | by Katherine

“ Zenning out in Kamakura ”

What a wonderful way to see Kamakura! Hiro was so knowledgeable and organised. She arranged the best lunch we had on our entire Japan trip. It was the little personal touches during the day which made it a great day out. Highly recommend her tour. Thanks so much Hiro.

Hiro:

Thank you very much for your favorable review ! It was great pleasure being with you sharing every moment of fun or tranquility in this ancient capital. Also I really appreciate your friendliness. In particular, I was impressed that you never minded the odd interviews from the student reporters who were tackling with their English assignments during their school excursions. You made my day, too. Thanks a lot!

Spencer ( Friends ) United States

Very Good

11 months ago | by Spencer

“ Kamakura for a day ”

Since we were unfamiliar with the transportation in Tokyo we asked her to meet us at her hotel. She accompanied us on the train and when we arrived in Kamakura gave us a day filled with great experiences. She was very aware of our abilities, we were in our late 60s and early 70s. She was caring, informative and have us a wonderful day.

Hiro:

It was really nice meeting you, Spencer! Thank you very much for your favorable comment. Since you all are so nice and friendly people, I really enjoyed being with you. Come to think of it, you walked a lot, didn’t you? You all are good walkers! I hope Kamakura will be a place that’s worth remembering for you. Thanks a lot.

See all reviews ( 7 )