HISTORY

The Shoguns were essentially feudal lords whose military powers made them the de-facto rulers of Japan, nominally appointed by the emperor, but in practice, all power remained with the "daimyos" (feudal lords), of which the Shogun was the head.

The very first shogunate was established in 1199 in Kamakura, ushering in nearly 700 years of Shogun rule in Japan, and shaping the country forever. This period is known for the emergence of the samurai as a force in Japan, as well as the beginnings of feudalism.

As the seat of power during the Kamakura Period, the eponymous city of Kamakura is one of Japan’s most historic and popular destinations – most famous for its temples including the ‘Five Great Zen Temples’, shrines and of course the ‘Great Buddha of Kamakura’

Although only around an hour away from the metropolitan city of Tokyo, Kamakura has completely different scenery and vibes. It is perfect for a day trip from Tokyo and those wanting a change of pace, and we adored the charming, historical ambiance that offered respite from the busy city life. With its stunning natural views, historical and spiritual sightseeing spots, and delicious food, Kamakura has something for everyone.

Kamakura sits approximately 60km to the south of central Tokyo – around 60 minutes by train – and 25km to the south of Yokohama – 30 minutes by train. Located nearby the coast of Sagami Bay, Kamakura is an easy daytrip from Tokyo and Yokohama and can easily be combined with a visit to nearby Hakone – which lies 50km to the west. Once the seat of power of the Kamakura Shogunate – from 1185 to 1333 – Kamakura was at that time the largest settlement in Japan and today is a town that retains much of its historic character through the preservation of its many temples and shrines along with a busy calendar of festivals throughout the year. Kamakura is easy to reach by train from Tokyo, Yokohama, Hakone and other starting points making it one of Japan’s most popular destinations for international visitors.

KOTOKU-IN & THE ‘GREAT BUDDHA OF KAMAKURA

**The bronzed Great Buddha of Kamakura or Kamakura Daibutsu dates back to the 13th century and is the second tallest bronze Buddha in Japan.**

‘Kamakura Daibutsu’ or the ‘Great Buddha of Kamakura’ is, as the name suggests, one of Japan’s great Buddha statues and without question, the most famous attraction in the city. Standing 11.4 metres in height and cast from bronze, the statue dates from 1252 and originally sat within a large temple. Like so many temples and historic buildings in Japan, the temple was destroyed by fire long ago leaving the statue sitting outside since the late-15th century.

The statue depicts ‘Amitabha’ or the ‘Celestial Buddha’ and is one of Japan’s most instantly recognisable Buddhist sites. It is a registered National Treasure and Japan’s second most-celebrated Buddha statue behind the immense statue housed within Nara’s Todai-ji Temple. Kotoku-in is open daily from 08:00 until 17:30 (or until 17:00 from October to March). Admission is JPY300. To get there, take the train from Kamakura Station to Hase Station – 4 minutes / JPY200 – from where the temple and statue are around a 5 to 10 minute walk.

HOW TO GET TO KAMAKURA

Kamakura is a small city with most of its famous temples and shrines located within easy reach of Kamakura Station and Hase Station – only 4 minutes by train from Kamakura Station. In this section you will find information how to reach Kamakura Station from the Yokohama Station :

Approximately : 30 minutes

From Osanbashi Pier walk to Nihon Odori about five minutes walk. Take the local train (Tokyu Railways) about 6 minutes with the following stops :

Bashamichi

Minatomirai

Shin-Takashima

Arrive at Yokohama Station.

Yokohama Station, take a service on the Yokusa Line to Kamakura Station – 30 minutes / JPY350. Services run regularly throughout the day.

Peace And Serenity At The Coastal Town of Kamakura

“Inspire & Inform”