Kamakura

Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, located on the Sagami Bay coast in the southern part of the prefecture, about 50 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. As of recent estimates, it has a population of about 170,000. The city sits in a hilly region with a short coastline, and is known for its historic temples, Shinto shrines, and traditional townscape that blends with beaches such as Yuigahama and Zaimokuza. It is a popular day-trip destination from Tokyo and a center for Zen Buddhism.

Historically, Kamakura was the political center of Japan during the Kamakura shogunate (1192–1333). Minamoto no Yoritomo established the shogunate here and built a network of political and religious institutions that shaped the era. After the shogunate moved to Kyoto and later to Edo, Kamakura retained cultural significance and developed its temple districts.

Key landmarks include the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu), a 13.35-meter-tall bronze statue at Kotoku-in, dating to the 13th century. Other major temples and shrines include Hase-dera, Kencho-ji, and Engaku-ji, as well as the Tsurugaoka Hachimura Shrine at the heart of the city. These sites, together with traditional streets such as Komachi-dori, reflect Kamakura's enduring religious and cultural heritage.

Transportation links include Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line and the Enoden railway, which connects to Enoshima and Fujisawa. The city’s combination of historical sites, scenic coastal views, and walkable neighborhoods continues to attract visitors and researchers alike, maintaining Kamakura’s place as a notable historic city near Tokyo.