Kamakura Travel Guide 2026: The Great Buddha, Temples & Coast & Tips

Kamakura, an easy day trip south of Tokyo, was Japan's political capital during the Kamakura period and is dotted with historic temples and shrines, including the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in, a 13-metre bronze statue cast in 1252. Its coastal setting and bamboo groves make it a favourite for both history and nature.