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
- 11:20 Meet up @ JR Kamakura Station East Exit
- 11:50 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
- 12:25 Komachi Street
- 12:50 Lunch @ Minemoto Komachi Street Branch (soba restaurant)
- 14:10 Hasedera Temple
- 14:50 Kotokuin (Great Buddha of Kamakura)
- 15:40 Dismissal @ JR Kamakura Station West Exit
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ JR Kamakura Station East Exit at 11:20, the group explored Kanagawa until the tour ended at 15:40. The day ran to 4 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Minemoto Komachi Street Branch (soba restaurant) at 12:50.
The itinerary covered Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine at 11:50, Komachi Street at 12:25, Hasedera Temple at 14:10 and Kotokuin (Great Buddha of Kamakura) at 14:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kamakura Station (East Exit) by bus (200JPY); Kamakura to Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture) by train (200JPY); Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture) to Kamakura by train (200JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 600JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Day Trip to Kamakura Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America, and it was their first time in Japan. After sightseeing in Tokyo and Kamakura, they were planning to go on a cruise tour lasting 13 days starting in March. At Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, they listened with great interest to the historical explanations about the differences between shrines and temples, as well as the Kamakura Shogunate. On Komachi-dori Street, they showed interest in the souvenir shops and enjoyed a soba lunch. At Hasedera Temple, they seemed impressed by the large statue of Kannon and the beautiful view of Sagami Bay from the observation deck. At Kotoku-in, they were amazed by the enormous Great Buddha. I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied.
Click here for more details: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Kamakura Station (East Exit) / Keikyu Bus～Hachimangu / Keikyu Bus | 200JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kamakura～Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture) | 200JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Hase (Kanagawa Prefecture)～Kamakura | 200JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kanagawa tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ JR Kamakura Station East Exit at 11:20, and the tour finished at @ JR Kamakura Station West Exit at 15:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 20 minutes in total, from 11:20 to 15:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Komachi Street, Hasedera Temple and Kotokuin (Great Buddha of Kamakura).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 600JPY per person across 3 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?
Seizo 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.
I am Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Sep 27, 2026
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Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
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Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
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We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
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