This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:30 Meet in front of Yokohama Port Post Office
- 10:00 Visit Engaku-ji Temple
- 10:45 Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- 11:45 Visit Hokoku-ji Temple and Sugimoto-dera Temple
- 13:30 Visit the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple
- 14:15 Shonan Coast (from the Enoden train window)
- 15:30 Disband at Yokohama Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:30 at front of Yokohama Port Post Office and ended at 15:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Engaku-ji Temple at 10:00, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine at 10:45, Hokoku-ji Temple and Sugimoto-dera Temple at 11:45, Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple at 13:30 and Shonan Coast (from the Enoden train window) at 14:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Yokohama to Kita-Kamakura by train (320JPY); Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura by train (150JPY); Wakamiya-oji by bus (220JPY); Jomyoji by bus (220JPY); Kamakura to Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture) by train (200JPY); Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture) to Fujisawa by train (310JPY); Fujisawa to Yokohama by train (420JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 1,840JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kamakura Day Tour from Yokohama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour experience and guest reactions
The guests came to Kamakura after enjoying a 10-day cruise around various parts of Japan, disembarking at Yokohama on the final day, with plans to fly back to their home country on an evening flight that same day. They had joined the tours organized by the cruise at each destination, but said they had always felt rushed and never had time to slowly enjoy the places they visited. Since the guests seemed interested in Zen, at Engaku-ji I briefly demonstrated how zazen (seated meditation) is practiced (having experience with zazen myself in the Rinzai tradition), and let them immerse themselves in the world of Zen for a while. At Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, they were able to experience passing through the chinowa (grass ring) and happened to see a wedding ceremony at the main hall, which they found very satisfying. They were impressed by every place we visited, saying they could not rank which was the best.
Because of the time constraints of the evening flight, the guests wished to return to Yokohama on schedule to collect their luggage, so I escorted them to Yokohama Station and ended the tour.
2. Other impressions, notes, and requests
They listened attentively to my guiding, which made this a very rewarding tour to lead.
I would like to report that Kamakura was crowded on an October afternoon, and boarding the Enoden line was extremely difficult.
Click here for more details: Kamakura Customized Private Tour in 1 Day, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Yokohama～Kita-Kamakura | 320JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kita-Kamakura～Kamakura | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Wakamiya-oji / Keikyu Bus～Jomyoji / Keikyu Bus | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Jomyoji / Keikyu Bus～Kamakura Station (East Exit) / Keikyu Bus | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Kamakura～Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture) | 200JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture)～Fujisawa | 310JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Fujisawa～Yokohama | 420JPY |
| Total | 1,840JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at front of Yokohama Port Post Office at 09:30, and the tour finished at Yokohama Station at 15:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 09:30 to 15:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Engaku-ji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hokoku-ji Temple and Sugimoto-dera Temple, Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple and Shonan Coast (from the Enoden train window).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,840JPY per person across 7 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Toru is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kanagawa itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
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Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the…
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S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
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Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
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Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.