Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kamakura?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kamakura?

Most visitors spend one to two days in Kamakura when visiting. The laid back coastal city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the food, the nightlife, and the beaches.

Kamakura is a historic coastal town that's not far from Tokyo. It's a popular summer escape for Tokyo residents who head here to cool off by the sea. There are sandy beaches that are popular for sunbathing and surfing. The city is also very historic with many temples and important Shinto shrines.

Do you have one or two days to visit Kamakura? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Kamakura?

One day is generally not enough time to browse through museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, take advantage of the local nightlife, and lounge on the beach in Kamakura. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the museums and landmarks, the food, the nightlife, and the beaches. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the laid back coastal city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for one to two days here. After all, Kamakura, a small coastal city brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Kamakura

Don't miss the Great Buddha during your trip to Kamakura, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

The public transit in Kamakura is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the coastal city quite easily and affordably. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Kamakura?

With its wealth of sights and attractions, Kamakura is a top choice for tourists. A weekend is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Kamakura. Most visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Kamakura is popular with couples which enjoy visiting because the coastal city offers activities specifically for them.

The Buddha at Kamakura, Japan The Buddha at Kamakura, Japan

How to spend 2 days in Kamakura

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Kamakura, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastal city has to offer.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Kamakura, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Kamakura, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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