Kamakura is not only a destination for tourists but also a place of significance for the Japanese themselves. This comes as no surprise because Kamakura holds a pivotal role as Japan's religious center, boasting numerous ancient temples, some dating back a millennium. To fully explore all of Kamakura's fascinating places, it's essential to have a map of the city's attractions at your disposal. Acquiring such a map well in advance is a wise decision.
The city of Kamakura is home to a total of 176 Shinto and Buddhist temples, and it played a crucial role in the birth of Japanese Zen Buddhism.
The oldest temple in Kamakura is the Shinto Shrine of Amanawa Shimmei, and it was built in 710. The oldest of Kamakura's Buddhist temples is only slightly younger than it and was erected in 734.
The Engaku-ji Temple of the Zen School is home to the Syariden or Hall of the Holy Relics of the Buddha, erected in 1282 and declared a national treasure of Japan.
One of Japan's top attractions is the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. From the coast, the sakura-lined Wakamiya Oji - Young Prince Street - leads to it. It was built by order of the shogun when he learned of his wife's pregnancy.
It is at this temple that the ancient yabusame - archery competitions from horseback - are reenacted at festivals in April and September.
A among the monuments that can be found on any Kamakura sightseeing map is the famous Bronze Statue of the Great Buddha, which was cast in 1252 and has been fully preserved ever since. The statue is 11.4 meters high and weighs 93 tons.
Museums in Kamakura are among the attractions with well-known names. Among them are the Japan-famous Kamakura Literary Museum (address: 1/5/3, Hase) and Kamakura Museum of Contemporary Art (address: 2/1/53, Yukinoshita, tel: +81 467 22 5000).
