Day 1
🗻🇯🇵日本へようこそ 🇯🇵🗻
Japan!
You made it! Can you believe it! Are you tired! Well, tough luck, you're in Japan. Get ready to roll! If your flight left Denver on time, it's the early afternoon and you have a bit of a hike ahead of you to get to your hotel. Your main goal today is to get through the airport, get to your hotel, dump off your stuff, and get some food, then crash so you can wake up early and get going on your first full day in Japan.
You made it! Can you believe it! Are you tired! Well, tough luck, you're in Japan. Get ready to roll! If your flight left Denver on time, it's the early afternoon and you have a bit of a hike ahead of you to get to your hotel. Your main goal today is to get through the airport, get to your hotel, dump off your stuff, and get some food, then crash so you can wake up early and get going on your first full day in Japan.
NARITA TO KAMAKURA
There are several ways to get from Narita to Kamakura. Taxi, Uber, Train, and Bus. The typical way is to take the Narita Express Train (JR Narita Express N'EX to Shinagawa or Yokohama), then hop the train to Kamakura. Most of the express trains go straight through to Shinagawa or Yokohama. Just be aware, that you will likely arrive in Shinagawa or Yokohama right before Rush Hour. It can be a bit of a thing.
April 17th
3:48 PM - Narita Airport Terminal 2 and 3 Station - JR Narita Express 34 to Shinagawa Station (Stops in Chiba and Tokyo along the way). When you pass Chiba station, wave at my daughter, Emma, who lives there. (There are also express trains at 3:18 and 4:23 depending on your flight arrival time and how immigration and customs go).
5:35 PM - Yokosuka Line - Train to Kamakura Station (Limited Express is always the best since it stops at fewer stops along the way - see below), It's a short connection, so you will have to move to make it. But don't worry, if you miss it. There are lots of trains in Japan.
Something to consider: It's dinner time, you may be hungry or hangry. There are lots of food options in the train station or just outside of Shinagawa station. If you don't have a ton of luggage, consider grabbing something here before you travel down to Kamakura. If you're doing OK, then at Kamakura Station there are lots of Ramen shops that stay open late.
Trains in Japan
Regular trains (普通列車, ふつうれっしゃ): stop at every station and are the slowest but most affordable option, commonly used for local commuting.
Express trains (急行, きゅうこう): skip some smaller stations, making them faster than regular trains but still relatively budget-friendly.
Limited Express trains (特急, とっきゅう): stop only at major stations, offer reserved seating, and are significantly faster, often requiring an additional limited express fee.
Shinkansen (新幹線, しんかんせん): or bullet trains, are Japan’s fastest trains, reaching speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and connecting major
cities efficiently with reserved and non-reserved seating.
KAMAKURA
Kamakura is a historic city famous for its samurai heritage, Zen temples, and stunning coastal views. Once the political center of Japan during the Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333), the city is home to one of Japan’s most famous landmarks—the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a massive 13.35-meter-tall bronze statue that has stood for centuries. Kamakura’s Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the samurai gods, offers a glimpse into Japan’s warrior past, while Hasedera Temple provides breathtaking views of the coastline, especially during hydrangea season in June.
Kamakura offers beautiful hiking trails that lead to hidden shrines and temples, such as the Tenen Hiking Trail, which connects to Zeniarai Benten, a shrine where visitors wash their money in sacred spring water for good luck. One of the ways we love to get over jet leg is to go for a hike in the morning. If you wake up early, Kamakura is fun to go for a morning hike to wake up.
KAMAKURA AT NIGHT (and maybe the next morning)
Kamakura shuts down a little in the evening since it is such a day trip tourist hot spot, but there is till stuff to do if you have the energy.
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Komachi Street
Near Kamakura Station, this is the main tourist street. There are many places to eat (just pop into a Japanese Izakaya/Pub), try some street food, dessert shops, matcha sweets or sake tastings. It's a happening place if you have the energy and want to do some wondering. Make sure you have Yen in cash because most street stalls don't take credit cards. |
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Yuigahama Beach Sunset
Watch the sun set over Sagami Bay. Listen to the waves. It has a nice quiet romantic vibe after dark. Maybe a good place to chill after checking into the hotel. |
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Kamakura Big Buddha
Easy to see in the morning, the Daibutsu is 13.35 meters tall and cast out of bronze. Located in Kotoku-in temple, the Buddha even has his sandles hanging on the wall. Definitely a touristy thing to do, but it is pretty cool. You can even go down inside him! |
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Hasedera Temple
One of Kamakura's most beautiful and beloved temples, famous for its lush hillsides, sweeping ocean views, and serene atmosphere. There are lots of temples and shrines in Kamkura, but this one not to be missed. |
TRAVEL TIP
Yelp and Google Reviews in Japan
Google and Yelp reviews in Japan are often much lower. In fact, if they are not, then you can be sure the reviews are fake or it's likely a tourist trap for Westerners. A 3.8-4.1 rating on Google in Japan is excellent, and should be considered a really great place to eat. In fact, some of the best meals we have had in Japan have been at places with a 3.5-3.8 average rating. You know that it's at least authentic, frequented by locals with those types of ratings. Japanese reviewers are much more strict than in the US where everything seems to have a rating of 4.8 - 5.0. So just be wary of 5 star reviews in Japan, it probably is a tourist trap or at least, not that great.
PLACES TO EAT IN KAMKURA
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Kamakura Sukiyaki Shabu-Shabu Restaurant Sasho
Shabu Shabu
A bit of a touristy place, it's a good place to try Shabu Shabu and learn how make your own meat and veggies at your dinner table in Japan. A bit spendy at times, but it's a nice place overall. |
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Ku Ku Kamakura
Izakaya / Pub Action
A lively pub near the station that serves drinks and shared dishes. Great if you want to sample a variety of foods while enjoying a pub like atmosphere. |
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Kamakura Matsubara-an
Soba noodles
Down by the beach, a great place to try soba noodles (buckwheat noodles) which are unique to Japan and not something you get easily in the states. Can be served cold or hot. Each has its merits.
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