Kamakura 鎌倉
“Great Buddha”, temples & beaches
This small town, less than an hour south of Tōkyō by train, was the capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333 as the seat of the Kamakura Shogunate during the Kamakura period.
These days it’s a very popular tourist destination, with temples, shrines, historical monuments and sandy beaches.
Most impressive is the Daibutsu, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This massive 11.4m high bronze Buddha was cast in 1252, is the 2nd largest such statue in Japan, and has been sitting outside since the late 15th century.
A number of hiking trails run through the hills around the city, connecting the old temples and shrines.
Kamakura’s beaches, particularly Yuigahama and Zaimokuza, are extremely popular, especially in summer. Both are easy to get to and have good facilities.