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

  • 1. 10:30 Meet up @ JR Kamakura Station East Exit
  • 2. 10:35 Travel: Train
  • 3. 11:00 Visit @ Hasedera Temple
  • 4. 12:00 Visit @ Kotokuin Temple
  • 5. 12:25 Lunch @ Hase Shokudo
  • 6. 13:10 Travel: Train
  • 7. 13:30 Visit @ Enoshima
  • 8. 15:50 Travel: Train
  • 9. 16:20 Disband @ JR Kamakura Station West Exit

What Is a Private Day Tour of Kamakura and Enoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Following a request in the previous message to see something other than temples and shrines, I decided to incorporate Enoshima into the latter half of the course. I kept the relatively distinctive Hasedera Temple and Kotoku-in in the itinerary and guided the group there first, and after having lunch in Hase, I took them to Enoshima.

Before lunch, I learned that the guests preferred certain foods and that one of them had a peanut allergy, so I paid very close attention when selecting from the menu. I regularly use Hase Shokudo, and I was able to confirm that the meat used in their curry is chicken and that no nuts such as peanuts are used, so I could recommend it with confidence.

It had been more than ten years since I last visited Enoshima, but there had been no major changes, so I was able to guide the group without any problems. It was especially well received by the group. This time I guided them all the way to the Iwaya Caves, but as the stairs are steep and demanding, I felt that depending on the age of the guests it might be better to leave this off the course. I also learned that when accompanying guests, a guide can visit the caves free of charge with a special ticket by presenting a guide license, which was useful to know.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKamakura Station~Hase Station200JPY
Section 2TrainHase Station~Enoshima Station260JPY
Section 3TrainEnoshima Station~Kamakura Station260JPY
Total720JPY

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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Highly recommend 👍
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