Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Sam

August, 2025

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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 10:00 Meet up @JR Kamakura Station East Exit
  • 2. 10:05 Travel: Train
  • 3. 10:30 Visit @Hasedera Temple
  • 4. 11:45 Visit @Kotokuin Temple
  • 5. 12:10 Travel: Train
  • 6. 12:30 Break @Starbucks Coffee Kamakura Store
  • 7. 13:00 Visit @Komachi Street, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
  • 8. 14:15 Disband @JR Kamakura Station East Exit

# What Is a Private Kamakura Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

It was a very rewarding and enjoyable tour. The guests were visiting from North America. Before the tour, I had learned through email that one of the guests was interested in "The Tale of the Heike," so I prepared in particular to be able to talk about the period around the founding of the Kamakura Shogunate.

I had planned to guide the group through the Hase area first and then take them to the area around Kamakura Station in the latter half, but the group responded very positively right from the first stop at Hasedera Temple. Since we had some room in the schedule, I took a little extra time to explain things carefully. As the guests did not stop for a meal during the tour, I decided to include a break at a café before heading to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. There, too, we had a lively conversation about history. I feel a little apologetic in case this may have been somewhat boring for some of the guests. By the time we returned from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, it was just the right time, and we parted ways in front of Kamakura Station.

Click here for more details: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKamakura～Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture)200JPY
Section 2TrainHase (Kanagawa Prefecture)～Kamakura200JPY
Total400JPY

Tour Report by Sam

Hi. My name is Masafumi Miyazaki. Please call me “Sam”. I am a government-licensed guide.
I was born in Tokyo and was raised in the suburbs of Tokyo called Tama area. When I was in university, I majored in western dramas, so I am good at playing like an actor.
I like reading, listening to the music, and walking. I belong to several walking clubs, and sometimes I guide the members around Tokyo.
One of my strengths as a guide is that I know well about kombu, Japanese kelps. In December every year, I work at a traditional kombu shop in Tsukiji Fish Market. At that shop, I learned a lot of things related to kombu or other ingredients for washoku. I can explain the different characteristics of them to you.
Also, I am familiar with Japanese flowers and plants. If you stroll around a Japanese garden with me, I am sure you will be able to enjoy beautiful flowers and unique plants in every season.
I look forward to meeting you. Thank you.

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