Kamakura, well known for its ample number of historical Buddhistic (Zen) temples, is about 50 km from Tokyo at the coast and can be easily reached by a JR train (e.g. Yokosuka line from Tokyo station). For some of the main sights, such as Engaku-ji Temple, make sure you leave the train already at Kita- Kamakura station. Kamakura main train station is only one stop further from there. If you are heading for the water front  from Kamakura station, you can use the ‘Enoden’ (= Enoshima Electric Railway), a unique rail route which is worth riding just for its surroundings. Its quite old-fashioned trains

What to do in Kamakura

Kamakura used to be the seat of the Kamakura shogunate, and therefore literally the capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333. Therefore, it offers a rich cultural heritage today, attracting thousands of tourists everyday visiting many shrines and temples.

famous zen place. You will find yourself in a  tranquil and spiritual atmosphere.

Going on to Kamakura station, don’t miss ‘Katsuretsuan’, a great restaurant specialised in Tonkatsu (= deep fried pork fillets) . Get off the station to the West Exit and walk straight on the right side of the main road for a few

Kita-Kamakura is the first station on the JR-line from Tokyo Station which is worth getting off. Engaku-ji temple is one of the most famous zen temples in Japan and is just a two-minute walk from the station. Its quiet environment with various old buildings and settings offer plenty nice pictures throughout your visit. Very enjoyable!
Also nearby are the Shokozan Tokeiji Temple, a temple which was the only way for Japanese women in ancient times to get a divorce - after they stayed at the temple for three years, they could obtain divorce.
Very nicely situated is Jochi-ji temple, also a

minutes. They serve absolutely superb original dishes with all genuinly fresh and high quality ingresients. So tasty!

In Kamakura, Hase-dera and the Great Buddha are the main attractions besides plenty of other little temples and Shintoistic shrines. Hase-dera is stunning. We visited it on a rainy morning. Of course, sunlight is nicer, but the atmosphere during rain makes it an even more mysterious visit. We really enjoyed it, and just before we were about to leave the place, the sun came through again.

After a lovely traditional Japanese lunch near Hase-dera, we carried on and visited the Enoshima Aquarium. It is a kind of large-scale museum showing the life under the water. The main attraction is a huge water tank with millions of fish, including 8,000 sardines. There are many smaller aquariums, showing specific kind of fish, including sharks and jellyfish. The latter one is a fantastic show as they are lit up in different colours making the jellyfish