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
- 07:55 Meet up @ Hotel
- 09:30 Engakuji Temple
- 10:15 Meigetsuin Temple
- 11:00 Kenchoji Temple
- 12:00 Lunch @ Sushi-dokoro Kimi
- 13:15 Hasedera Temple
- 14:00 Kotokuin Temple
- 14:50 Kamakura Station
- 16:05 Dismissal @ Hotel
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 07:55, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel, and finished at 16:05. The day ran to 8 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Sushi-dokoro Kimi at 12:00.
From there the group visited Engakuji Temple at 09:30, Meigetsuin Temple at 10:15, Kenchoji Temple at 11:00, Hasedera Temple at 13:15, Kotokuin Temple at 14:00 and Kamakura Station at 14:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Tawaramachi (Tokyo) to Shimbashi by subway (210JPY); Shimbashi to Kita-Kamakura by train (910JPY); Kenchoji Temple by bus (240JPY); Kamakura to Hase (Kanagawa) by train (200JPY); Hase (Kanagawa) to Kamakura by train (200JPY); Kamakura to Shimbashi by train (910JPY); Shimbashi to Tawaramachi (Tokyo) by subway (210JPY). Across 7 sections the fare came to 2,880JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Kamakura Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. After sightseeing in Tokyo and Kamakura, they planned to travel to Kyoto and Nara. At Engaku-ji and Kencho-ji, they appeared impressed by the large mountain gates and Buddha halls of these long-established Zen temples. At Meigetsu-in, although the rainy season had already passed and it was not possible to see the hydrangeas, they seemed impressed by the beautiful room with its famous large round window and the calm atmosphere of the well-maintained grounds. At Hase-dera, they enjoyed the enormous Kannon statue and the beautiful sea views from the observation deck. At Kotoku-in, they appeared impressed by the giant Great Buddha statue. I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, so I believe they were satisfied. A notable stop on the tour was Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This monumental bronze statue of Amida Buddha, cast in the 13th century, stands about 11 meters tall and is one of the most iconic Buddhist images in Japan. Once housed within a large temple hall, the statue has stood in the open air for centuries after the surrounding building was destroyed, and it remains a designated National Treasure today.
Click here for more details: Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Tawaramachi (Tokyo)～Shimbashi | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shimbashi～Kita-Kamakura | 910JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kenchoji Temple / Enoden Bus～Kamakura Station East Exit / Enoden Bus | 240JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Kamakura～Hase (Kanagawa) | 200JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Hase (Kanagawa)～Kamakura | 200JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Kamakura～Shimbashi | 910JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Shimbashi～Tawaramachi (Tokyo) | 210JPY |
| Total | 2,880JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel at 07:55, and the tour finished at @ Hotel at 16:05.
How long does the tour last?
About 8 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 07:55 to 16:05.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Engakuji Temple, Meigetsuin Temple, Kenchoji Temple, Hasedera Temple, Kotokuin Temple and Kamakura Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,880JPY 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?
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 Tokyo 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.…
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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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Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
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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We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.