Kamakura is a small city, but it has something to offer every visitor: peace and tranquility in its Zen temples and bamboo groves, history and culture in its museums and shrines, and seaside fun along its many beaches. Here you can find glimpses of traditional Japan, scenic views over the sea toward Mount Fuji, and even one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks: the Kamakura Daibutsu also known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
Kamakura is easily accessed from Tokyo and Yokohama by JR East railway services, and within the city the charmingly retro Enoden Line runs south from Kamakura Station through the sightseeing area of Hase and along the coastline towards the island of Enoshima.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura
Probably the most popular areas to stay in Kamakura are the Kamakura Station area, the Hase sightseeing area, and the Yuigahama Beach area. However, there are several other areas in Kamakura that each have their own special charms and may suit your interests or requirements better.
The Enoshima seaside resort area is also worth considering as a base for exploring Kamakura. Although Enoshima is in neighboring Fujisawa City, it is close enough to Kamakura, and it has a great range of hotels and guest houses to suit different budgets.
Kamakura Station
Kamakura Station Area
The area around Kamakura Station is one of the most convenient places to stay with excellent transportation links, and a good range of accommodation options. Here you can find everything from luxury tourist hotels, to mid-range hotels, cheaper business hotels, and budget guest houses.
This area is also Kamakura’s main commercial district with plenty of shopping and dining options. You can explore the souvenir and traditional craft stores and casual izakaya restaurants of Komachi-dori shopping street, or look for fine dining options and browse the elegant boutiques on the more stately Wakamiya Oji street.
Wakamiya Oji leads directly to the main tourist attraction in the area: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. This is Kamakura’s most important shrine and the focus of many festivals and events. Other attractions in the station area are Kamakura Museum of National Treasures and Kamakura Museum of History and Culture.
If you are based in the Kamakura Station area, you are in a prime position to explore Kamakura thanks to the Enoden Line that runs south through Hase to Enoshima, and JR East services that run north to Kita-Kamakura. A variety of bus services also run from the station to more outlying areas and off-the-beaten track destinations.
- Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura is located just steps from JR Kamakura Station, offering excellent access to the city’s historic temples, shrines, and shopping streets. Opened in 2020, this modern hotel blends clean contemporary design with subtle Kamakura-inspired touches, featuring comfortable rooms, thoughtful amenities, and an on-site restaurant serving Japanese and Western dishes.
- Kamakura Seizan is a refined boutique hotel situated a short walk from Kamakura Station, tucked away in a quiet area that emphasizes calm and privacy. This stylish property focuses on minimalist design and a serene atmosphere, offering well-appointed rooms, a relaxed lounge space, and an intimate stay ideal for travelers seeking a slower pace.
- KAMAKURA Hotel is a compact lifestyle hotel located near Kamakura Station, designed around the concept of modern Japanese hospitality. The hotel features simple yet elegant rooms, a welcoming tea lounge experience, and thoughtful details that reflect local culture, making it a comfortable base for exploring Kamakura on foot.
- GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA is a small, contemporary hotel located within walking distance of Kamakura Station and nearby attractions. This hotel offers clean, functional rooms with modern design elements, focusing on comfort and practicality for independent travelers looking for a straightforward and well-located stay.
- Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura is conveniently located close to Kamakura Station, providing easy access to both historic sites and local dining areas. The hotel emphasizes relaxation, featuring warm interior design, compact but comfortable rooms, and communal bath facilities that offer a soothing end to a day of sightseeing.
- plat hostel keikyu kamakura wave is a casual and budget-friendly accommodation located near Yuigahama Beach and within walking distance of Kamakura Station. This modern hostel offers a mix of private rooms and dormitories, a lively communal atmosphere, and shared spaces designed for socializing, making it popular with solo travelers and younger guests exploring Kamakura and the coast.
Kita-Kamakura Station Area
Just one stop north of Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line
Kita-Kamakura Station
This is the perfect area for a quiet retreat, but as there are fewer accommodation options, you would need to book your stay early. Options include a mid-range hotel, a traditional guest house, and a holiday villa.
Jomyoji Temple
Jomyoji Area
The Jomyoji area is located to the east of Kamakura Station. Centred on Jomyoji Temple, one of Kamakura’s most important Zen temples, this is a peaceful, leafy area which includes the bamboo forest of Hokokuji and several other temples.
Accommodation options here include a small number of guest houses, traditional inns, holiday homes and apartments. This area is ideal for exploring on foot or by bicycle, and you can use local bus services or taxis to travel between here and Kamakura Station.
The road to Hasedera Temple
Hase Sightseeing Area
Hase is Kamakura’s most popular sightseeing location and includes its biggest tourist attractions: Kotokuin, which is home to the Kamakura Daibustu — or “Great Buddha of Kamakura”, and Hasedera Temple, which is famous for its flower gardens and for its statue of Kannon, the Buddhist spirit of mercy. This is a well-preserved, historic area, which also includes the 11th-century Goryo Shrine.
Hase has a range of cheap and mid-range guest houses, traditional inns, and holiday apartments. Located to the southwest of Kamakura Station, Hase is served by the Enoden Line at Hase Station and so it is a convenient base from which to explore other areas.
- Kamakura Park Hotel is situated close to Yuigahama Beach and Kamakura’s historic districts, offering a balance of convenience and comfort. The hotel features classically styled rooms, multiple dining options including Japanese and Western cuisine, and facilities suited to both leisure travelers and small group stays.
- Japanese Traditional Inn Kamakura Rakuan is a small ryokan-style accommodation located in a quiet residential area of Kamakura, offering a peaceful stay rooted in traditional Japanese hospitality. The inn features tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, and a calm, home-like atmosphere, making it well suited for travelers seeking an authentic experience close to temples, shrines, and local neighborhoods.
- AKAMA Kamakura is a refined boutique hotel set in a historic former residence, combining modern design with the architectural character of Kamakura. This intimate property offers spacious, thoughtfully designed rooms, a serene garden setting, and a strong sense of privacy, appealing to guests looking for a high-end, design-focused stay near Kamakura’s cultural landmarks.
Yuigahama Beach
Yuigahama Beach Area
Located a short distance to the south of Hase, the long, sandy beach of Yuigahama makes this area an excellent choice for families with children. Here you can find luxury resort hotels, holiday villas, cheap guest houses and traditional inns. This area is served by Yuigahama Station on the Enoden Line and so has easy access to other sightseeing locations in Kamakura.
- Kaihinso Kamakura is a historic seaside ryokan set in a former Meiji-era villa near Yuigahama. This elegant property offers tatami rooms, traditional kaiseki-style dining, and a refined atmosphere that reflects Kamakura’s cultural heritage, making it ideal for guests seeking a traditional stay with historical character.
- KKR Kamakura Wakamiya is a full-service hotel located near Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, providing easy access to Kamakura’s main cultural attractions. The hotel offers spacious rooms, banquet facilities, and a calm setting, making it suitable for families, groups, and travelers prioritizing location and comfort.
Zaimokuza Beach
Zaimokuza Beach Area
Zaimokuza Beach is located further east along the coast from the Yuigahama Beach area. This is mainly a seaside resort area suitable for families with children, but it does have one major temple, Komyoji, which is famous for its gardens — and for its view over the sea.
Accommodation options here include luxury and mid-range resort hotels, cheap guest houses, holiday homes and apartments. This area is not convenient for local rail services but two Keikyu bus services 鎌40 and 鎌41 run between Kamakura Station and the Zaimokuza and Komyoji bus stops.
The view of Enoshima and Mount Fuji from Inamuragasaki
Inamuragasaki Cape and Shichirigahama Beach Areas
Inamuragasaki is a cape at the western end of Yuigahama Beach, which is well known for its scenic view over the sea toward Mount Fuji. A little further to the west is Shichirigahama Beach — Kamakura’s longest beach. This beach is also known as a scenic spot and it is popular for water sports like surfing and windsurfing, but it is not suitable for swimming because of its strong waves.
Both areas are served by the Enoden Line at Inamuragasaki Station and Shichirigahama Station. There are a small number of luxury villas near Inamuragasaki Station and there are some mid-range and luxury hotels near Shichirigahama Station.
- Kamakura Prince Hotel is a resort-style hotel perched on a hillside overlooking Sagami Bay, offering sweeping ocean views and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Located near Shichirigahama, this hotel features spacious rooms with balconies, an outdoor swimming pool in season, and dining venues focused on enjoying the seaside scenery, making it a popular choice for leisure stays.
The view of Enoshima from Koshigoe Beach
Koshigoe Beach Area
Koshigoe Beach is a quiet sandy beach and suitable for swimming. This beach is also a walkable distance from the sightseeing attractions of Enoshima.
This area is served by the Enoden Line at Koshigoe Station, which is just one stop from Enoshima Station. Not far from the station and the beach are a great range of luxury resort hotels, mid-range hotels, cheap guest houses, traditional inns, and holiday apartments.
- HOTEL AO KAMAKURA is a stylish beachfront hotel located along Yuigahama, blending modern design with a strong connection to the sea. The hotel offers refined rooms with ocean views, contemporary interiors, and an on-site restaurant emphasizing local ingredients, appealing to travelers seeking a design-forward stay by the coast.
- UMITO Kamakura Koshigoe is a luxury coastal hotel located in the Koshigoe area, directly facing the ocean. This exclusive property features spacious suites with panoramic sea views, private terraces, and high-end amenities, catering to guests looking for a tranquil, resort-like experience near Enoshima and Kamakura.
Enoshima
Enoshima Resort Area
The Enoshima area is a popular sightseeing and resort location with many attractions. Enoshima itself is a scenic island connected to the mainland by a bridge. On the island visitors can explore the Nakamise-dori shopping street; Enoshima Shrine, which is spread across three locations; the Iwaya Caves; Samuel Cocking Garden and the Enoshima Sea Candle observation tower. On the mainland facing the island there are two long sandy beaches and an aquarium.
Both on the island and the mainland there are a range of luxury and mid-range hotels, holiday apartments, and cheap guest houses. Enoshima is just 25 minutes from Kamakura Station on the Enoden Line and just 20 minutes from Kamakura’s main sightseeing area of Hase.
- Iwamotoro is a long-established ryokan located on Enoshima Island, just outside central Kamakura. Known for its hilltop setting and ocean views, this traditional inn offers tatami rooms, large communal baths, and classic Japanese hospitality, appealing to travelers combining Kamakura sightseeing with a visit to Enoshima.
- BREATH HOTEL is a modern boutique hotel located near the Shonan coastline, offering a contemporary and relaxed retreat. The hotel features spacious rooms with spa-style bathrooms, stylish interiors, and a focus on comfort and privacy, making it popular with couples and travelers seeking a quieter, design-oriented stay near the sea.
Article Michael Lambe. Photos by Michael Lambe and Mayu78/pixta (8). All rights reserved. Last updated 11-Jan-2026.
