Discover Ancient Kamakura and the Naval History of Yokosuka on a 1-Day Private Tour

Overview

Experience the ancient temples and green town of Kamakura, combined with nearby Yokosuka, well known for its naval base and harbour. Climb aboard the memorial ship "Mikasa" used in the war.

Highlights

Key Information

Description

Your guide will meet you at JR Shimbashi or Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, and accompany you on a train bound for Kamakura, known as "Little Kyoto" because of its greenery and numerous wooden temples. After arriving at Kamakura, we transfer to Hase on a local Edoden train, offering a nostalgic atmosphere. As an alternative, we can take a taxi to the Great Buddha of Kamakura to save some time. We visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotokuin Temple (the "Kamakura Daibutsu" in Japanese) which is famous for its open-air bronze statue standing on the grounds, with a height of 13.35 meters. It is the biggest open-air bronze Buddha statue in Japan. Then, we walk to nearby Hasedera Temple which is one of the oldest temples in Kamakura and should not be missed. It is also known as the magnificent "Hase Kannon," or Goddess of Mercy, and its 9.18-meter-tall gilded wooden statue boasts the tallest wooden sculpture with eleven heads in Japan. Its observatory offers panoramic views across Yuigahama beach, and you can also enjoy viewing splendid seasonal flowers there. We return to Kamakura Station on a local Enoden train (or by taxi) and enjoy eating traditional Japanese cuisine at lunch to reenergize. Then, we take a train bound for Yokosuka, known for its naval base. If you are lucky, black submarines can be seen across the harbour! There, we'll take a local bus or a taxi to Mikasa Park where the memorial ship Mikasa awaits you. Mikasa was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in late 1890s, as the flagship for the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Heihachiro Togo, and actively worked throughout the Japanese-Russo War of 1904–1905. You can climb aboard and get a taste of its splendid history. Finally, we return to Tokyo on a JR train at the end of this exciting one-day trip. **Summary of the tour:** - Guide meets you at Shimbashi or Shinjuku Station platform, take a train for Kamakura - Change to local Enoden train or take a taxi to Hase from Kamakura Station - Visit the Great Buddha at Kotokuin Temple, and Hasedera Temple - Return to Kamakura Station and enjoy a lunch break - Take a train bound for Yokosuka - Transfer to Mikasa Park on a local bus, or in a taxi, while viewing the Naval Port - Climb aboard the memorial ship Mikasa - Transfer on a bus or a taxi to JR Yokosuka Station - Return to JR Shimbashi or Shinjuku station and disband the tour