Steeped in history and culture, Kamakura gives travelers an opportunity to explore Japan's ancient past. Located to the south-west of Tokyo-and only one hour by train- Kamakura is the ideal daytrip from the metropolis, offering a glimpse of Japan’s cultural heritage embodied in its famous shrines and temples.

Kamakura accounts for a significant chapter in Japan’s political and cultural history.
In fact, Japan's seat of government was located in Kamakura from 1192 to 1333(Kamakura era).
An abundance of ancient temples and shrines are scattered throughout the city center and mountainous surrounds. Such is the importance of Kamakura to Japan's cultural heritage, measures are in place to preserve its historical features and development is currently restricted in the city. This ensures that even today the atmosphere in Kamakura is a unique mix of tranquility and history.

Kamakura station may act as a good base, but the temples located along the smaller train lines that run through the city are also not to be missed. The Enoden Line, for example, is a famous local line that runs along the sea. Two of Kamakura’s main attractions, Hasedera Temple and Kotoku-in (famous for its Great Buddha), are located at Hase station which is about five minutes on the Enoden line from Kamakura station.

Hasedera Temple is thought to have been built in 736 during the Nara era. It is one of the oldest temples in Kamakura. Its principal image is the Hase Kannon, a Kanzeon Bosatsu with eleven heads. Measuring 9.18 meters high, the Hase Kannon is the largest wooden Buddhist statue in Japan. Each of its eleven faces holds a different expression, symbolizing the deity's ability to listen to all kinds of wishes. The Hasedera temple also features the Benten - kutsu cave and Kyozou (sutra archive). The Benten - kutsu cave contains Benzaiten, the sea goddess, and 16 children that are carved into the rock walls. Inside the Kyozou there are rotating bookracks called rinzo which house the temple's important Buddhist sutras.
It is said that by rotating the rinzo, one can earn the same merit as reading all the sutras.

Just around the corner from the Hasedera temple is the Kotoku - in temple, the home of Kamakura's famed Great Buddha. Situated at the back of the temple, the 11 meter national treasure has been meditating there since the thirteenth century.
The Great Buddha has been the victim of its fair share of natural disasters. It was originally made of wood, however, it was blown away by a typhoon was rebuilt in its current bronze form. And like Nara's Great Buddha at Todaiji temple, Kamakura's Great Buddha was housed indoors but it was forced outside after the temple was hit by a tsunami. Despite this, the Great Buddha has withstood the test of time and remains to be an important cultural icon. As impressive as it is to look at, and of course to photograph, don't forget to step inside the Great Buddha from its back and explore it from the inside.

Closer to Kamakura station, you will find the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, one of the most well - known shrines in Japan. The shrine was founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063 and was moved to its current location in 1180 by Minamoto Yoritomo, the firstshogun of the Kamakura government. Wakamiya Avenue (an approach to the shrine) will lead the way to Tsurugaoka Hachiman from Kamakura station