Kamakura Hikes: If you’ve hiked in and around Tokyo and are still looking for more, we suggest the peaceful trails of Kamakura. Kamakura is one of the most popular places for tourists to go in Japan. It’s full of shrines, temples, shopping areas, and history, and it’s only an hour from Tokyo, so it’s a great alternative to Kyoto for people who want to see traditional Japanese culture but don’t want to pay for a trip there.
The name “Little Kyoto” comes from Kamakura being a lot like Kyoto. Kamakura is a beautiful place. It is by the sea and has small mountains around it. In the hills near Kamakura, there are multiple beautiful forest walks. These trials are a great way to get away from the city and are a good way to walk among some of the main sites and buildings in the area while taking in the view.
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How Do I Get To Kamakura Hikes?
Hiking is free, but you have to buy a train ticket to get there. Many stops in Tokyo, like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station, have direct lines to Kamakura. One way costs less than 1,000 and takes about an hour. Find out how to get to Kamakurathings to do the best way, including how to use the Enoshima–Kamakura Hikes Free Pass. Gionyama hiking course.
Hiking Trails In Kamakura Hikes
Once you get to Kamakura Hikes, you can hike the Daibutsu Hiking Trail to the west, the Tenen Hiking Trail to the north, and the Gionyama Hiking Trail to the east. Each one is different in what you can do and how hard it is. While climbing, keep an eye out for lost tombs and secret shrines.
All the trailheads are just a short walk (or bus ride, if you’re lazy) from Kamakura station, and there are signs everywhere to help you find your way. The best part is that they all lead to some of Kamakura’s best and most famous places.
Around Kamakura Hikes, the trails can be split into three paths or places. Together, the three trail networks come close to going around the city, so it is possible to walk around Kamakura Hikes. Be aware that the tracks have different difficulty levels and that you need to wear the right shoes on all of them.
- Kuzuharaoka Daibutsu Trails (Western)
- Tenen Trails (Northern)
- Gionyama Trail (Eastern)
Check out the Kamakura Hikes 1-day schedule, which includes the Daibutsu Trail, for more ideas about what to do on your trip there.
Kamakura Hiking Trails Map
Daibutsu Trail
Between the Big Buddha (Daibutsu) in the southeast and the Jochi-ji Zen temple in the north is the Daibutsu hike trail. The trail goes by the unique “money washing” shrine Zeniarai Benten. From there, you can go to Jufuku-ji, the first of Kamakura’s five most important Zen temples, and then back to the city, or you can keep going to Jochi-ji, which is also one of Kamakura’s five most important Zen temples.
Two more of the 5 major Zen temples, Engaku-ji and Kencho-ji, are close to Jochi-ji. You can keep walking on the Tennen trail next to Kencho-ji for a longer hike that ends near the fifth and last among the five temples.
Itsuki Garden
One cool thing about the western track is that it leads to Itsuki Garden, a café deck with food and drinks in the middle of the mountain. It’s a nice place to visit and maybe get a piece of cake, but it’s not cheap.
Tenen Trail
The Tenen Trail opens at the Kencho-ji Zen Temple and goes along the top of the mountain for about 7 km. The trail has great views when the leaves aren’t in the way. You can turn off at different places along the road and return to the city.
If you stay on the trail until it ends, you’ll reach the Zuisen-ji Temple in the northeastern part of Kamakura. The last of Kamakura’s five important Zen temples, Jomyo-ji, is just a short walk away. This trail isn’t easy, so be ready for hills, confusing signs, and tracks.
Gionyama Trail
The Gionyama trail is on a hill close to the city, making it easy to get there. You can go in either way on the trail. The trail ends at the Harakiri Yagura Cave in the north. When Hojo Takatoki and his samurai lost Kamakura in 1333, they all killed themselves as part of a rite. Their bodies were buried in this cave. Yagumo Shrine is at the southern end of the trail. The Myohon-ji temple is also worth a visit and is near the trail. You can observe Mount Fuji in the background on a clear day if you’re lucky. Kamakura Beach & Kamakura walking tour.
