How to Spend Two Days in Kamakura as a Solo Traveller

June 4, 2025
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Just an hour out of Tokyo, sitting right by the seaside, you will find Kamakura. The city, once the political capital of Japan, is a serene collection of temples, beaches and hiking trails. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed surf escape or to relive history at the iconic Buddha, this is the two-day guide for you!

I booked a night of accommodation in Kamakura during my 2-week Japan trip more out of necessity than anything else. Tokyo was fully booked because of cherry blossom season and I needed somewhere to stay. A local had recommended heading here, calling it a “serene escape”. And boy am I glad I headed to Kamakura!

Most people only visit here for a daytrip from Tokyo, but I would highly recommend staying a night to really experience this place to the fullest. Accommodation is beautiful and more affordable than Tokyo too, and there is so much to do.

So, without further ado, here is everything you should do in two days in Kamakura:

Table of Contents

How to get to Kamakura?

You will most likely be coming form Tokyo when visiting Kamakura. There are a couple of ways to get there:

The JR Yokosuka Line takes around one hour and costs 950 yen ($6.50) from Tokyo station
The JR Shonan Shinjuku Line goes from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku or Shibuya Station and also takes an hour and costs 950 yen
If you have an Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass (1640yen/$11.40), you would take the Odakyu railway. It would be worth it if you are going to and from Kamakura on the same day and also trying to visit Enoshima.

Where to stay in Kamakura?

Kamakura is very well connected by public transport and has fantastic accommodation options in different areas. I stayed in the area around Hase station, which has lots of small and affordable accommodations, but you could also stay closer to Kamakura station to be more central.

Best hostels in Kamakura for backpackers:

Guesthouse Kamakura ZEN-JI – I stayed in this hostel and it was really quiet and clean as well as super close to the beach.
Guest House Kamejikan – Nice and affordable dorms with lots of privacy. A little out of the centre but really calm and quiet.
AMIGO House – Lovely rooms at good prices a little outside of Kamakura.
plat hostel keikyu kamakura wave – very central location with great dorm rooms

Best hotels in Kamakura:

$ JR-East Hotel Mets Kamakura Ofuna – super central location with basic rooms at affordable prices.

$$ Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura – also right by Kamakura station, this hotel has really lovely rooms and staff

$$$ Hotel AO Kamakura – Stunning rooms with sweeping views over Kamakura.

How to get around Kamakura using public transport?

Kamakura has two main rail lines, one that connects to Tokyo and one to Enoshima area. There are also lots of buses between attractions. You can use your Suica or other IC card that you also use in Tokyo here.

Best Things to Do in Kamakura in 2 Days

While Kamakura can certainly be completed as a day trip from Tokyo, I would highly recommend spending a night in this serene town and exploring Enoshima too.

Day 1: Hase and Kamakura Temples

Start the day at Hasedera Temple

Hasedera temple is right by Hase station so I recommend starting your day here. This temple is one of the oldest in Kamakura and home to the huge statue of hte Kanoon (goddess of mercy). The story behind how the statue got here is fascinating – there used to be two of these statues from the same tree. One is in Nara and the other was thrown in the sea but was found in Kamakura years later.

I personally loved this temple. The grounds are expansive, with temple gardens, the main building, a small hiking path that gives you sweeping views over Kamakura and even some beautiful ponds. They also have the cutest little statues (Jizo) all over the temple, though their meaning is a little sad. They are meant to help children who die before their parents cross into the afterlife.

Visit the famous Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple

The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is probably one of the most well-known landmarks in Kamakura. It is the second tallest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan. It sits within a small temple and you are able to walk all around it. Many visitors mention there is a certain serene, almost magical energy around the Buddha, and it certainly feels imposing to stand in front of it.

Explore the trends in Komachi-dori Street

It is time to head back to downtown Kamakura now and check out its main shopping street Komachi-dori. This street is packed with restaurants, shops and people and carries a vibrant energy.

It’s the perfect place to shop for souvenirs (e.g. traditional knives), try some street food and explore novelty shops such as the Studio Ghibli one.

Head down the cherry-blossom lines Dakazura walkway

Parallel to Komachi street runs a cherry-blossom tree lined walkway. It is a lovely walk towards one of Kamakura’s main temples and makes for stunning photos, especially in the cherry blossom season.

Explore the expansive grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

This shrine is dedicated to Hachiman which is the guardian deity of the samurai. The entire area is vast and beautiful, with ponds that are lined by cherry-blossom trees in spring, a big stone staircase that leads up the the shrine and many bridges leading to smaller shrines and other buildings.

Find your Zen at Kenchoji Temple

Head up the road from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu towards Kenchojij Temple. It is the oldest of the 5 Zen temples in Kamakura. It’s a beautiful temple with sweeping grounds and there is even the possibility of seeing Mt. Fuji from its highest shrine. Don’t miss the stunning ceiling painting of a dragon in the Hatto building.

In spring, the entrance transforms into a stunning archway of cherry blossoms.

Explore more of Kamakura’s beautiful temples

Kamakura has many more beautiful temples, so I recommend checking out any of these 4 depending on how much time you have and your personal interests:

Hokokuji Temple – an at first unassuming temple with a beautiful bamvoo grove and serene atmosphere
Engaku-ji – another of Kamakura’s great Zen temples, it is especially beautiful in autumn
Jochi-ji – the fourth of the Zen temples, this one is a very calm and small temple in the heart of nature. It is also the start of the Daibatsu trail
Meigetsu-in – must-visit around June when the Hydrangeas are blooming everywhere around this temple

Finish with dinner by the seaside

The beauty of Kamakura is that it is located right by the seaside, meaning it has stunning views and lots of delicious seafood. There are many great dinner options to end the day, such as Ocean harvest cocomo by Hase and Seedless Bar. For delicious seafood recommended by locals, head to Maguro Oju Saka Machi Kamakura Komachi Ten.

Day 2: Enoshima seaside adventure

Head to Enoshima for a daytrip

Enoshima is only a short train ride from Kamakura with the Enoshima Electric Railway for 260 yen ($1.80). Enoshima island is famous for its many shrines and beautiful coastland views. It is connected to land by a 400m bridge. It’s the perfect day trip from Kamakura with so many things to do and a really relaxed atmosphere.

Stroll down Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street and sample some local delicacies

When you first get on the island, you will see Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street – it is the main street that leads up the island. Here you will find local shops selling handmade items, souvenirs and lots of delicious food like the famous giant shrimp cracker that are sold here.

Explore the shrine buildings of Enoshima Shrine on a round-tour of the island

Enoshima shrine spreads across the whole island consisting of three separate shrines: Hetsunomiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya. They are dedicated to Benten, a goddess of good fortune, matchmaking, wealth and knowledge.

I would recommend walking through the Grand Torii of Enoshima Shrine and up the stairs to Hetsunomiya. From there, a round walk around the island will take you to the other shrines and attractions. It does involve quite a few stairs, but you can also pay 360 yen to take the escalator instead.

Each shrine is unique and beautiful, surrounded by nature and sweeping views of the seaside.

Enjoy the view from Samuel Cocking Garden

On your walk around the island, you will eventually get to Samuel Cocking Garden, a botanical garden with Japanese and European influences. From here, you will have amazing views over the Japanese coast, especially if you go up the sea candle (a lighthouse observation tower).

The garden is free unless there is an event and the sea candle costs 500 yen ($3.50).

Adventure into the Iwaya Caves

Continue to follow the path all the way to Iwaya Caves at the far end of the island. They are a sacred site of the Benzaiten faith as well as the subject of many ancient myths. One of them is how a dragon appeared to Samurai Tokimasa Hôjô while praying in this cave and gifted him three scales. This exact symbol is now featured as the Triforce in the Legend of Zelda video games. Entry is just 500 yen.

Enjoy the sunset by the seaside

This side of the island is also a gorgeous place to enjoy the sunset or just have a rest after the countless stairs of Enoshima. You can explore small pools that form between the rocks at Chigogafuchi Abyss.

Relax at Inamuragasaki Onsen Spa

After a long day of exploring Enoshima, it’s time for a well-deserved evening relaxing at Kamakura’s Onsen. Located close to Inamuragasaki station, the Onsen costs 1,500 yen ($10.50). It features the usual healing mineral hot baths as well as a sweeping views over the sea. If you can, bring a towel as it costs a little extra to rent one. They claim to be tattoo-friendly.

If you have some more time:

Kamakura Kōkōmae Station

If you have heard of the Manga Slam Dunk (or several others), you will recognise this station. It is now a famous spot along Enoden as it pictures exactly the anime’s opening sequence.

Give surfing a go

Kamakura is a great spot for surfing and many people come from Tokyo just for that. Some of the best months are in Spring and around October. There are plenty of surf schools in Kamakura too and surf lessons tend to start around 5000yen ($35).

Get incredible views from one of the many hiking paths

Kamakura is an amazing place for hiking and to escape the bustle of the big cities in Japan. Hiking trails range form easy to hard and often go by many of the main attractions, making them a great way to explore Kamakura. This is a great page to check out the trails.

Is Kamakura worth visiting?

Yes, Kamakura is 100% worth visiting, even if just on a day trip from Tokyo. The temples here are beautiful and the overall atmosphere is different to the bigger cities, much more relaxed.

Can you do Kamakura in one day?

Yes, you can do Kamakura in one day. I would recommend two in order to also see Enoshima without having to rush, but the main sights and temples in Kamakura can be seen in one day.

Can I see MT Fuji from Kamakura?

Yes, on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji from most of the beaches at Kamakura. Other popular spots include Shokakuji Temple, Cape Inamuragasaki and Myohouji.