Private Tour of North Kamakura Temples with licensed guide
Description
This tour will mainly visit tranquil temples that are popular among the locals, not the usual tourist spots. Different from touristy and crowded temples, you will be able to relax and enjoy the quiet temples with the flowers, moss, greenery, and in late fall, the autumn leaves. The guide is not a guide sent from Tokyo. The guide is a local who has lived near the Kamakura area for about 40 years, loves the tour course, and has a government certification. The guide's explanation of Kamakura's history, religion and traditions will bring you even closer to the people of that time. For example, 800-year-old cut-through and the tragedy of the princess enshrined in the Jizo Hall. The guide's explanations can be reduced on request. This is a private tour where only for you or for your couple with a guide. This means that you can enjoy this tour without being bothered by other guests. It will end at noon to 0:30 p.m. by walking speed. So, you can make your afternoon plans as you wish.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Walk 7 minutes. (see remarks) Meigetsu-In, known as "Hydrangea Temple" is famous nationwide with approximately 2,500 hydrangea varieties with beautiful blue colors from the end of May to the end of June. It is a Zen temple built in the late 14th century and there is a dry landscape garden, an back garden (closed to the public), and a teahouse. Remarks) After the course briefing at the tour start, if you select Chouju-Ji Temple (open only from April to June, and October to early December) instead of Meigetsu In, this tour will go directly to Jochiji Temple then Chouju-Ji Temple i.e. no visit to Meigetsu-In Temple.
Walk three minutes. Jochi-ji Temple is a very serene Zen temple. The temple is famous for its moss-covered approach, a building that houses an old Buddhist image, and Hotei Son (one of the seven gods of good fortune), who is located on a rock ledge carved out of the cliff, Yagura. It is said that if you stroke Hotei Son's belly, you will gain virtue, popularity, and energy.
Walk 9 minutes. Chouju-Ji Temple is a hidden Zen temple as it is almost inaccessible on the Web and has a limited open schedule for general tourists and is a beautiful temple that is a strong favorite among the locals. Visitors can relax on the porch, immerse themselves in flowers, moss, and green (or autumnal foliage), and enjoy the silence. Conversation is not recommended. There is no explanation in the main hall by the guide. Only open on Friday to Sunday in April to June, and October to early December. Temporarily close to the public on days of rain.
After walk over Kamegayasuzaka slop, 800 year old cut-through for 8 minutes, you will see small wooden building, related to tragedy in 12th centry samurai princess.
Walk 9 minutes. Kaizo-ji Temple is a Zen temple where beautiful flowers can be seen all year round. It is not so famous in terms of tourism, but is very popular among the locals. A tunnel behind the temple grounds leads to a cave with 16 round wells, dag in the early 14th century.
Walk 12 minutes. The tour stops at Jufuku-ji Temple's outer gate and walks nearly 80 meters along the beautiful path to the Sanmon gate. This will be an excellent photo opportunity. The temple grounds are not open to the public.
Walk 9 minutes. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is dedicated to the Hachiman God, the god of war who protects the Genji clan that founded the Kamakura Shogunate. This huge shrine was built under the patronage of the Kamakura Shogunate and remains a must-visit place for tourists in Kamakura. Today, the shrine is popular among Japanese people, with 2.5 million people paying homage to the shrine on New Year's Day. It has interesting facilities such as Torii gates, Maiden (dance hall), and Honden (main hall). Shirahata Shrine, a shrine of the Minamoto clan, is also located on the same site. It is an interesting place to learn about customs of Shintoism that is still widely believed in by the Japanese people today.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(3)
From Kita-Kamakura Station to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, I had a quiet temple tour. There were few tourists, and most of them were small local elementary school students and people who quietly visited the temple, so we could learn the origin of the temple and the historical background of the Kamakura period. It was a great refreshing experience to be exposed to history and nature in the lush green course. When I imagined the scenery at the time of autumn colors, I really wanted to visit this course again.
I had very good time with the guide in Kamakura. I was able to meet him without waiting. The weather was like early summer during the tour. He was so knowledgeable about the area enough to give me historical and geographical information that interested me a lot. For example, in Meigetsuin Temple, he showed me the biggest cave in Kamakura where tombs of worriors were left. That reminded me of medieval battle those days. I'll highly recommend you to join this tour to enjoy walking and learning in the quiet, peaceful and historical area with him.
It was great to immerse myself in a slow-paced atmosphere that made me forget the hustle and bustle of the city. I was happy to spend a wonderful time walking around the tranquil gardens located behind the temples we visited, which were so soothing and relaxing. It was a wonderful tour that was a nice change from the usual tours. The guide's selection of temples and explanations of their historical backgrounds were great as they kept me interested. The guide's personality was also excellent and friendly, which made the tour even better. It was a very nice and memorable tour, and now I would recommend this tour to my friends. If you are looking for a tour where you want to spend some quiet time in the ancient temples, this tour is especially recommended.
