Kamakura "Zen Culture" Finding Tour

(5) Reviews

8h $ 234 up to 5 people

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Kamakura "Zen Culture" Finding Tour

by Hiro

(5) Reviews

Check Availability

8h $ 234 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

FREE cancellation 14 days prior

Extras (optional)

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

$ 18.00

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

$ 9.00

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

$ 18.00

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

$ 9.00

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.

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

City Kamakura

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 1 to 5 Flexible

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

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.

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 before of the meeting date, there is a 40% charge.
If you cancel on the meeting date, there is no refund.

Organized by Hiro

National Certified Guide

(5) Reviews

Contact Hiro

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 ( 5 )

Katherine ( Couple ) Australia

3 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!

Saras ( Family ) United States

4 months ago | by Saras

“ A Day in Kamakura with super-Hiro ”

Hiro took our family of 5 on a tour of Kamakura. We actually rented a car and driver since it was quite rainy. As a result, the travel to Kamakura was very pleasant, and Hiro was able to give us a lot of info about samurai culture en route. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Engaku-ji, as well as the specially chosen restaurant to suit our dietary restrictions. Hiro was great and really helped us enjoy our visit to the capital of Samurai culture!

Hiro:

Thank you very much for sending your review, and I really appreciate your nice comments. It was my great pleasure to have a trip to Kamakura with such a happy family. Thank you for letting me join in your nice family. The weather was not good that day, but I'd be more than happy if you enjoyed the day in Kamakura. I believe your brilliant children who listened to my story with great interest will become respectable grown-ups. Please convey my best regards to your husband and the kids. Thank you again!

Barry ( Family ) New Zealand

9 months ago | by Barry

“ Kamakura guided tour ”

Hiro was our guide for the day. She was brilliant. As we were first timers in Japan she met us at out Tokyo hotel and helped navigate rush hour through the station. She worked up a day that suited us including a great lunch at a small family restaurant and traditional tea house. Thank you Hiro.

Hiro:

Thank you very much for the review. What a wonderful family you have! I enjoyed every moment being with you all. I hope the one of your autumn days in my favorite city Kamakura will be an unforgettable pleasant memory of your family trip. Thanks a lot again!