Kamakura (鎌倉市) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kamakura (鎌倉, Kamakura; [ka̠ma̠kɯ̟ɾa̠] ), officially Kamakura City (鎌倉市, Kamakura-shi), is a city of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. It is located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshu. The city has an estimated population of 172,929 (1 September 2020) and a population density of 4,359 people per km2 over the total area of 39.67 km2 (15.32 sq mi). Kamakura was designated as a city on 3 November 1939.

Within Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto region), Kamakura (鎌倉市) serves as a city in kanagawa prefecture. Travelers exploring Kanagawa often combine a stop in Kamakura with regional highlights such as Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

Getting to Kamakura & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station): 25–30m from Tokyo Station to Yokohama or Kawasaki on JR lines; 35m to Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen; 55m to Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Kanagawa Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Yokohama with Kamakura. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Kanagawa have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Kamakura en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Kamakura are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Kanagawa can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kamakura & Kanagawa

Kamakura shares the culinary traditions of Kanagawa Prefecture and the wider Kanto region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokosuka Kaigun curry — a signature specialty across Kanagawa Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Kamakura.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima.

Regional highlights across Kanagawa Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Kamakura include: Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

Practical Travel Tips for Kamakura

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter inside or right outside the main train station in Kamakura (or at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Kamakura accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.