I've walked and photographed the Kamakura and Enoshima area many times now. Temple and shrine visits like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Hase-dera, station-by-station Enoden highlights, how to make the most of tickets and train cars, shopping streets and food — somewhere along the way, the articles passed 20. This page brings them all together, both as walkable model routes and as a theme-based index. Use it to help plan your own Kamakura walk.
The Best Way to See Kamakura Is by Enoden
The star of any Kamakura visit is the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden). Running 15 stations from Fujisawa Station (EN01) to Kamakura Station (EN15), this local line threads along the coast and through residential neighborhoods, making it easy to combine temple visits with station-by-station exploring. If you're planning to get on and off several times in a day, the one-day pass "Noriorikun" is a convenient way to stop worrying about fares and hop off wherever you like.
If you're planning to spend a full day exploring Kamakura and Enoshima on foot, the Enoden's "Noriorikun" one-day pass is worth a look. Its appeal is simple: get off at whichever station catches your eye, take photos, duck into a…
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EN06 Enoshima Station
EN07 Koshigoe Station: Sea & Mountains
EN08 Kamakura-Kokomae Station: The Pilgrimage Site
EN09 Shichirigahama Station: A Shonan Walk
EN10 Inamuragasaki Station: Sunset Views
EN11 Gokurakuji Station: Cherry Blossoms & Hills
EN12 Hase Station: A Walk to the Great Buddha
EN15 Kamakura Station: The Walking HubModel Route 1: A Half-Day Temple Walk from Kamakura Station
If you're short on time, a half-day route starting and ending at Kamakura Station is a great choice. From Kamakura Station, walk down Komachi-dori to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, then transfer to the Enoden and head to Hase Station. Walk the old-fashioned shopping street to visit Hase-dera and Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha), then head back to Kamakura Station. It's a route that keeps the walking distance manageable while packing in Kamakura's classic temples and goshuin.
Start at Kamakura Station
The gateway to any Kamakura walk, where JR and the Enoden meet.
The gateway to any Kamakura walk, where JR and the Enoden meet.
Read More ›Snack your way down Komachi-dori
A shopping street lined with long-established sake and sweets shops, and street food.
Old shops and street food along Kamakura Station's front shopping street.
Read More ›Worship at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
The shrine tied to Minamoto no Yoritomo, with enough on the grounds to fill a visit on its own.
Goshuin, blessings, and photo spots at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.
Read More ›Take the Enoden to Hase Station
Four stops from Kamakura Station, about 7 minutes — the starting point for Hase-dera and the Great Buddha. The sea glimpsed between houses from the train window lifts the mood instantly.
The gateway station for Hase-dera and the Great Buddha walk.
Read More ›Surround yourself in flowers and Kannon at Hase-dera
Home to one of Japan's largest Eleven-Headed Kannon statues, and a lookout over Yuigahama Beach.
An old temple wrapped in flowers and Kannon, with some of Kamakura's best views.
Read More ›Finish at Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha)
About a 5-minute walk from Hase-dera. Come face to face with Kamakura's symbol, the National Treasure Great Buddha.
A full guide to the Great Buddha's history, highlights, and goshuin.
Read More ›Model Route 2: A Full-Day Enoden Walk (Enoshima Station to Kamakura Station)
If you have a full day to spend, the route from Enoshima Station to Kamakura Station, taking each Enoden station in turn, is a great way to see it all. Koshigoe Station brings Manpuku-ji and Koyurugi Shrine, Kamakura-Kokomae Station has its platform with a view of Enoshima, Shichirigahama Station has seaside shops like Moana Makai Sangosho, Inamuragasaki Station has its legendary cape, Gokurakuji Station has the lush green Gokuraku-ji, and Hase Station has Hase-dera and Kotoku-in — every stop shows a different side of the area. Ride all the way through to Kamakura Station at the end, and close out the day on Komachi-dori.
Start at Enoshima Station
Where the Enoden, Odakyu Line, and Shonan Monorail all converge into one gateway area.
Koshigoe Station: A Train Running Down the Road
The stretch to Enoshima Station is shared track, where the Enoden runs on a public road. Sea and mountains are both close by.
Manpuku-ji: Where Yoshitsune's Letter Meets the Enoden
Koyurugi Shrine: Ocean Views Above Koshigoe Fishing PortKamakura-Kokomae Station: A Platform with a View of Enoshima
Also known as a Slam Dunk pilgrimage site, this is one of the Enoden's finest scenic stops.
Shichirigahama Station: Stylish Shops by the Sea
A classically Shonan stretch, with restaurants and cafes lining Route 134.
Inamuragasaki Station: A Legendary Cape & Sunset Spot
The cape tied to Nitta Yoshisada, and the Enoden line's best sunset viewpoint, with Mt. Fuji and Enoshima both in view.
Gokurakuji Station: Cool Mountain Air & Cherry Shade
A wooden station building, selected as one of the "100 Best Stations of the Kanto Region," greets you here.
Hase Station: The Gateway to Hase-dera & the Great Buddha
Walk the old-fashioned shopping street toward Hase-dera and Kotoku-in.
Hase-dera Temple Guide: Kamakura's Great Kannon, Gardens & Ocean View
Kotoku-in & the Great Buddha of Kamakura: Complete Visitor GuideFinish at Kamakura Station
Ride all the way to Kamakura Station and close the day out on Komachi-dori.
Browse Articles by Theme
If you'd rather explore by topic than follow a set route, use the index below.
Articles from walking and photographing the Kamakura and Enoshima area myself, grouped by theme — temple visits like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Hase-dera, Enoden station highlights, one-day passes and train cars, and shopping streets and food. Use it as a reference for planning your own Kamakura walk.
Agoda
Expedia
Hotels.com
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Goshuin & Blessings
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Sake Barrel GuideKotoku-in: The Great Buddha
Meigetsu-in: Goshuin & HydrangeasHase-dera: Flowers & Views
Gokuraku-ji: A Quiet Old TempleKoyurugi Shrine: Ocean ViewsManpuku-ji: Enoden Photo Spot
Enoshima Complete Guide
Listed in order from Fujisawa to Kamakura, by Enoden station number (EN06–EN15).
EN06 Enoshima StationEN07 Koshigoe StationEN08 Kamakurakokomae StationEN09 Shichirigahama StationEN10 Inamuragasaki StationEN11 Gokurakuji StationEN12 Hase StationEN15 Kamakura Station
FAQ
Q. How many hours do I need to enjoy Kamakura?
A. Just the temples and shrines around Kamakura Station can be covered in about half a day. Walking the full Enoden line from Enoshima to Kamakura takes closer to a full day — use Model Route 1 or 2 above depending on how much time you have.
Q. When's the best season to visit Kamakura?
A. Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, June for hydrangeas (Meigetsu-in and others), and late November to December for fall foliage. The sea and Enoden scenery are enjoyable year-round, so if crowds are a concern, weekdays are worth targeting.
Q. Is there a one-day pass for the Enoden?
A. Yes — it's called "Noriorikun," a one-day unlimited pass that's handy for hopping off at stations along the way. See the article below for details.
Q. How do I collect goshuin?
A. Goshuin are available at most of the temples and shrines featured on this page — Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kotoku-in, Hase-dera, Meigetsu-in, Gokuraku-ji, Koyurugi Shrine, Manpuku-ji, and more. Each article covers the goshuin varieties and typical fees, so use them as a reference.
Summary
Kamakura is a city that never gets old, whether you're focused on temple-hopping or an Enoden station walk. I hope the model routes and theme-based index here come in handy when planning your next Kamakura trip. From Enoshima Station, it's also well worth continuing on to Enoshima itself. Between snacking your way down Nakamise-dori, worshipping at Enoshima Shrine, and the view from the Sea Candle, it's a different kind of island time entirely from Kamakura.
From Nakamise-dori to Enoshima Shrine and the Sea Candle — the classic Enoshima sightseeing route.
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