Kamakura Japan Heritage: Samurai
By Foot
Visit the historic sites of the Kamakura Shogunate,where the samurai once thrived
1 Day
1Kamakura Station
10 min by foot
2Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
The Main Shrine, the Heart of Kamakura City Present day After the defeat of Taira no Tadatsune, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi built a branch shrine of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine (in Kyoto) near the Yuigahama seashore (where Motohachimangu Shrine is currently located). A hundred years later, when Minamoto no Yoritomo, five generations after Yoriyoshi, came to Kamakura, the shrine was moved to the current location. Yoritomo was devoted to the Hachiman deity, the tutelary god of warriors, and samurai warriors in other provinces followed his example. As a result, many Hachimangu shrines were built across Japan. After the death of Yoritomo, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine was supported by the Hojo clan. …
10 min by foot
3Egara Tenjinsha Shrine
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto and Egara Tenjinsha Shrine in Kamakura are considered by some to be Japan's three great Tenjin shrines. Yoritomo designated this shrine as a tutelary shrine for the protection of his office and residence in the northeast of the city (believed to be an unlucky direction).
5 min by bus
Board at “Wakaremichi,” get off at “Sensuibashi,”
3 min by foot
4Godaido Myooin Temple
The elegant main hall, with a thatched roof and latticed shutters, stands in the quiet temple precinct. The deities of the main hall are five Myoo statues including a Fudo Myoo. Myooin was dedicated to pray for the protection of the shogunate and the city of Kamakura from evil.
2 min by bus
Board at “Sensuibashi,” get off at “Junisojinja,”
10 min by foot
5Asaina Kiridoshi Pass
There is a legend that Asahina Yoshihide, a talented samurai who served Minamoto no Yoritomo, created this pass in one night only, so it is called the Asaina Kiridoshi Pass. This pass is on the Kanazawa Kaido road which used to be an important road connecting Mutsuura (current Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama City) and Kamakura. Since the pass is too narrow for vehicles and has many old tombs dating back to the Middle ages, it still looks much as it did in ancient times. Mutsuura was a trading port and salt producing area. The Asaina Kiridoshi Pass was used to carry salt to Kamakura.
