Kamakura, Japan: Feasibility of day trip from Tokyo?
I will be in Tokyo for a conference and was hoping to check out Kamakura for a visit.
Is it practical to travel to Kamakura for a day trip, or should I look into overnight accommodations?
Best Answer
It only takes an hour to get there from Toyko Station, so I would probably only do a day trip. It does of course depend on how you like to travel and how much you want to see there, although at only an hour it's faster then most work commutes in Los Angeles.
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How long does it Take to get from Tokyo to Kamakura?
Taking the JR Yokosuka Line is the fastest and simplest method to reach Kamakura. It goes directly to Kamakura Station from Tokyo Station. The ride costs 940 yen one-way and the ride takes around 57 minutes.Is Kamakura worth visiting?
To me, Kamakura is worth a visit because it offers one an experience of what small town Japanese life is. It feels almost idyllic, without the trappings of modern city life. With simple food, exceedingly well-made shirts and a quiet beach, these are sufficient to make me want to make a trip again.How do you get around Kamakura?
Getting around Kamakura is served by two railway companies, JR East and Enoden. JR East connects Kamakura directly with Yokohama and Tokyo, and Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) operates a tram-like railway line from Kamakura Station along the Pacific coast to Enoshima and Fujisawa.What places surround Tokyo?
The core cities of the Greater Tokyo Area outside Tokyo Metropolis are:- Chiba (population 940,000)
- Kawasaki (population 1.36 million)
- Sagamihara (population 730,000)
- Saitama (population 1.19 million)
- Yokohama (population 3.62 million)
BEST DAY TRIP FROM TOKYO for SUPER CHEAP! - Enoshima Island and Kamakura Japan
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Answer 2
You can keep the travel time down to 45-50 min. one way if you plan in advance. And it depends where you are staying in Tokyo.
I think the most convenient is if you are staying around the southern part of Tokyo. For example, if you are near to or can easily get to Shinagawa station, you can take the JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura (51 min. / Y690). You can find current train schedules on Hyperdia and other websites.
Because its so close to Tokyo, even if you return to Tokyo and go back the next day, it should be easier than making a separate reservation around Kamakura.
But as JasonTrue mentioned, you should plan where you want to go in advance. Some places are hard to find, and keep in mind that you will be walking a lot. A couple of websites to check out:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html
http://www.kamakuratoday.com/e/sightseeing.html
Though its a way outside Kamakura itself, the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is a must see and on most every tourists agenda.
Answer 3
I would also do a day-trip. I've done that a few times and it's a fantastic day out. To make the most out of your day trip, you might want to consider rentinga bicycle at the station in Kamakura. This gives you the chance to move around quicker and see much more than you would using the bus or just walking.
Here's a suggested itinerary: http://japantourist.jp/view/kamakura-by-bicyle
As for the train timetable, I find this one very useful: http://www.hyperdia.com
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