Kamakura was the perfect final stop on my Japan trip — a laid-back coastal town on the Shonan Coast, where temples, shrines, and seaside life blend effortlessly together. Just 1 hour from Tokyo by train, Kamakura is often visited as a day trip. But with so much to see and do, I’d recommend staying at least 1 night so you have a full day to explore the area without rushing. With its laid-back coastal vibe and a variety of things to do, spending 2 days here allows you to really slow down and take it all in.

What I loved the most was the balance: mornings spent temple-hopping through quiet gardens; afternoons walking by the sea, watching surfers and chasing views of Mt. Fuji; and evenings eating my way through the food stalls of Komachi Street.

On my last evening in Japan, the Shonan coastline treated me to the most stunning Mt. Fuji sunset — a truly unforgettable parting gift. 🗻

🚆 How to get to Kamakura

Kamakura is very easy to reach from Tokyo:

• From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station (~55 mins)
• From Shinjuku Station: Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Kamakura Station (~1 hour)

Once there, the local train on the Enoden Line is the best way to get around, connecting Kamakura with attractions in Hase, Enoshima, and the coastline.

🛏️ Where to stay in Kamakura

Staying anywhere along the Enoden Line makes it easy to explore the area’s highlights. But if you want to prioritise proximity to main sights and restaurants, you could consider:

• Kamakura Station area: Best for convenience, shops, food, and close to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
• Hase: A quieter base, close to major sights like the Great Buddha and Hase-dera, also with lots of restaurants and cafés
• Katase-Enoshima Station: Access to Enoshima Station and beach, still no shortage of good food options

I stayed at Kamakura Seizan for 2 nights. It's a relatively new hotel just a few minutes’ walk from Kamakura Station, and the minimalist design and calm atmosphere made it a really comfortable base for exploring.

⛩️ Best things to do in Kamakura / Shonan Coast

🙏 Temple and shrine hopping

Kamakura is home to some of Japan’s most beautiful temples and shrines. Highlights include:

• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — the city’s most important shrine
• Kotoku-in — home to the iconic Great Buddha
• Hase-dera — known for its gardens and coastal views
• Kencho-ji — one of the oldest Zen temples in Japan

Each offers a slightly different atmosphere, from grand and historic to quiet and contemplative. While some sights can get quite busy (e.g. Kotoku-in), there are still plenty of peaceful corners to be found. I could easily have spent a whole day simply wandering between temples and shrines, soaking it all in. 🪷

🌅 Enoshima Island

A short ride on the Enoden Line takes you to Katase-Enoshima Station, from where you could walk to Enoshima, a small island packed with things to explore — narrow lanes, sea caves, viewpoints, and a lighthouse.

On a clear day, you might even catch glimpses of Mt. Fuji from the island. Just be prepared: there are a lot of stairs, so wear comfortable shoes. 👀

🗻 Watch a Mt. Fuji sunset

On clear days, Kamakura offers some of the most beautiful Mt. Fuji sunset views near Tokyo.

Head to Kamakura Seaside Park near Inamuragasaki Station (or anywhere along the beach really) right before the golden hour. As the sun sets, Fuji slowly appears in silhouette against the glowing sky. It’s a quiet, shared moment that feels really special. 🌅

🚃 Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station (Slam Dunk fans!)

If you grew up watching Slam Dunk, this is a must. The crossing outside Kamakurakōkō-Mae Station is instantly recognisable, and it’s fun (and a little nostalgic!) to see it in real life.

🍡 Komachi Street

Just outside Kamakura Station, Komachi Street is a lively shopping street filled with local snacks, sweets, tea, and small shops. It’s a great place to try street food, grab a matcha or hojicha, pick up souvenirs, or just wander and snack your way through.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Watch the surfers on the beach

The Shonan coastline is a well-known surf spot. Grab a coffee or ice cream, find a spot by the Shichirihama Beach, and just sit for a while — it’s one of the simplest but most enjoyable ways to soak in the laid-back coastal vibe.

🏮Hatsumode (New Year shrine visit)

If you’re visiting around New Year, don’t miss Hatsumode — the first shrine visit of the year, a cherished local tradition. ⛩️

I joined the festivities at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu on New Year’s Eve, and I've detailed my experience in this blog post here. You'd find food stalls lining up the approach, offering tasty snacks while you wait to go in. You can also pick up lucky charms, get a shrine stamp (goshuin), or draw a fortune slip (omikuji) as part of the experience. The queue was long and packed with people, but as we were in Japan, it was definitely very organised chaos. The crowd only added to the festive, communal atmosphere with locals gathering to welcome the new year together. It was definitely a fun and memorable way to cap off my trip. 🎍

After 2 weeks of moving through mountains and historic towns of central Honshu, Kamakura felt like an easy, relaxed final stop to my Japan trip. Its close proximity to Tokyo definitely made it a convenient place to wrap things up. And with its mix of temples, coastline, and slower pace, it felt like a fitting way to end a nature-led journey through this beautiful country.

👉 Explore the complete 2-week Japan itinerary here