Places to visit 1

How to get to Kamakura

(With thanks to Edy Boy)

By JR

The JR Yokosuka Line takes slightly less than one hour and costs 890 Yen from Tokyo Station to Kamakura. It also stops at Kitakamakura Station.

From Shinjuku, direct trains on the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line require about one hour and cost 890 Yen to Kamakura. Only trains bound for Zushi, that is roughly every second train on the Shonan Shinjuku Line, provide a direct connection to Kamakura. Otherwise, a transfer of trains is required at Ofuna Station.

JR offers the Kamakura Enoshima Free Kippu, which includes the round trip from Tokyo to Kamakura and unlimited travel of local transport in the Kamakura area for 1970 Yen.

Kamakura's top attractions are concentrated in three areas, around Kitakamakura Station (Kamakura's Zen temples Engakuji and Kenchoji), Kamakura Station (Hachimangu Shrine) and Hase Station on the Enoden Line (Great Buddha and Hasedera).

Due to its relatively small size, Kamakura can be explored entirely on foot or by rental bicycles. There is also a network of city buses, and short taxi rides are an option to access more isolated sights like Zeniarai Benten and Zuisenji

Great Buddha

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha that is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan (the largest is located in the Todaiji Temple in Nara).

The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of the 15th century, and since then the Buddha stands in the open air.

The Great Buddha is located a 5 minute walk from the Enoden Railway Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura main station. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. Its terminal station in Kamakura is located just west of JR Kamakura Station.

Zuisenji Temple

Zuisenji is a beautiful Zen temple in the far east of Kamakura, surrounded by wooded hills. It is a branch temple of the Rikai sect's Engakuji school.

Zuisenji was founded by Zen priest Muso Kokushi, one of Japan's most famous garden designers. The temple is known for its pure Zen rock garden which was designed by Muso himself, but also for the many flowers and blooming trees found in the other parts of the temple grounds.

Zuisenji is located in the far east of Kamakura, rather distant from Kamakura Station.

By foot: It takes about 30-45 minutes to reach Zuisenji by foot from Kamakura Station, and about 20-30 minutes from Hachimangu Shrine. It can also be reached via a nice hiking trail that starts at Kenchoji and leads through the wooded hills in about 60-90 minutes.

By bus: The closest bus station is at Kamakura-gu Shrine. From there, the temple can be reached by foot in about 5-15 minutes.

Travelling by Train (www.hyperdia.com)

Nodashi to Kamakura

Transfer time	Time	Required time	Station/Line/Train name	Fare
Transfer time	Time	Required time	Station/Line/Train name	Fare
<>.	07:34		NODASHI
.	%	21 min	Tobu Noda Line	¥240
3 min	07:55 07:58		KASHIWA

Transfer time	Time	Required time	Station/Line/Train name	Fare
Transfer time	Time	Required time	Station/Line/Train name	Fare
<>.	08:01		KASHIWA
.	%	27 min	JR Joban Line
3 min	08:28 08:31		NIPPORI
.	%	24 min	JR Yamanote Line(IN)	¥1380
3 min	08:55 08:58		SHINAGAWA
.	%	49 min	JR Yokosuka Line
.	09:47		KAMAKURA

NODASHI	07:30	07:34	28.6km
UMESATO	07:37	07:38	30.9km
UNGA	07:41	07:41	33.2km
EDOGAWADAI	07:43	07:44	35.1km
HATSUISHI	07:46	07:46	36.8km
NAGAREYAMAOTAKANOMORI	07:48	07:49	38.4km
TOYOSHIKI	07:51	07:51	39.7km
KASHIWA	07:55		42.9km

KASHIWA	08:00	08:01	82.4km
MATSUDO	08:10	08:10	93.6km
KITASENJU	08:19	08:20	104.1km
MINAMISENJU	08:22	08:23	105.9km
MIKAWASHIMA	08:26	08:26	108.1km
NIPPORI	08:28	08:29	109.3km

NIPPORI	08:31	08:31	19.9km
UGUISUDANI	08:33	08:33	21.0km
UENO	08:36	08:36	22.1km
OKACHIMACHI	08:37	08:37	22.7km
AKIHABARA	08:40	08:40	23.7km
KANDA(TOKYO)	08:42	08:42	24.4km
TOKYO	08:44	08:44	25.7km
YURAKUCHO	08:46	08:46	26.5km
SHIMBASHI	08:48	08:48	27.6km
HAMAMATSUCHO	08:50	08:50	28.8km
TAMACHI(TOKYO)	08:52	08:52	30.3km
SHINAGAWA	08:55	08:55	32.5km

SHINAGAWA	08:57	08:58		6.8km
NISHIOI	09:03	09:03		10.4km
SHINKAWASAKI	09:10	09:10		19.5km
YOKOHAMA	09:18	09:19	9	31.7km
HODOGAYA	09:22	09:22		34.7km
HIGASHITOTSUKA	09:27	09:27		39.6km
TOTSUKA	09:30	09:31		43.8km
OFUNA	09:36	09:41		49.4km
KITAKAMAKURA	09:44	09:44		51.7km
KAMAKURA	09:47	09:47		53.9km

How to get to Nikko

Nikko is located about 125 kilometers exactly north of Tokyo and makes a good one or two day trip from Tokyo. Nikko can be reached by Tobu Railways or Japan Railways (JR).

By Tobu:

The Tobu terminal station in Tokyo for trains to Nikko is Tobu Asakusa Station, which can be accessed by subway.

There are hourly rapid trains (kaisoku) between Asakusa and Nikko, which take about 125 minutes and cost 1320 Yen one way. In the morning and afternoon, there are also a few limited express trains (all seats reserved) called "Kegon" which only take 105 minutes, but cost 2620 Yen one way.

Tobu is also offering various free passes, which includes the round trip to Nikko (by kaisoku) and unlimited usage of buses in the Nikko area.

The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Tobu trains.

By JR:

Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen (from Tokyo or Ueno Station) to Utsunomiya Station, where you transfer to the JR Nikko Line. With a good connection at Utsunomiya, the one way trip takes about 100 minutes and costs around 5000 Yen. Due to its high cost, the JR option is probably only attractive to holders of the Japan Rail Pass.

All of Nikko's famous shrines and temples are clustered together in one area, about two kilometers from the Tobu and JR Nikko Stations. Access them by taking a bus or by walking along Nikko's main street for about 20-30 minutes.

Buses connect central Nikko with Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen in Nikko National Park. A one way trip to Lake Chuzenji takes about 50 minutes and costs 1100 Yen; to Yumoto Onsen it takes about 80 minutes and costs 1650 Yen.

Be aware, that during peak travel seasons such as the autumn leaf season, traffic between central Nikko, Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto Onsen can be very heavy, and buses can incur heavy delays. If possible, avoid weekends.

Toshogu Shrine

The Toshogu is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Ieyasu and two other of Japan's most influential historical personalities, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo.

The lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of more than a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings set in a beautiful forest. Initially a relatively simple mausoleum, Toshogu was enlarged into the spectacular complex seen today by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu during the first half of the 17th century.

Countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf were used to decorate the buildings in a way not seen elsewhere in Japan, where simplicity has been traditionally stressed in shrine architecture.

Unless you intend to visit only the Toshogu, it is recommended to purchase a combination ticket, which also includes admission to the Taiyuinbyo, the Rinnoji's Sanbutsudo and Futarasan Shrine. However, a separate fee has to be paid to view the small carving of the sleeping cat (nemuri neko) and Ieyasu's tomb.

Toshogu and Nikko's other main shrines and temples are located a 20-30 minute walk or 10 minute bus ride (300 Yen one way, 500 Yen day pass) from the Tobu and JR Nikko Stations.

Nodashi to Nikko

Required time: 2hours 14min	(taking time 115min)
Distance: 113.9 km	(transfers 1)
Total amount of money: ¥1160	(fare ¥1160 charge ¥0)

Transfer time	Time	Required time	Station/Line/Train name	Fare
Transfer time	Time	Required time	Station/Line/Train name	Fare
<>.	08:08		NODASHI
.	%	23 min	Tobu Noda Line
13 min	08:31 08:44		KASUKABE	¥1160
.	%	92 min	Tobu Isesaki Nikko Line Rapid
0 min	10:16 10:16		TOBUNIKKO
.	+	6 min	Walk
.	10:22		NIKKO

NODASHI	08:06	08:08	14.3km
ATAGO(CHIBA)	08:10	08:10	15.2km
SHIMIZUKOEN	08:12	08:13	16.3km
NANAKODAI	08:15	08:16	17.8km
KAWAMA	08:18	08:19	20.0km
MINAMISAKURAI	08:22	08:23	22.3km
FUJINOUSHIJIMA	08:26	08:28	25.1km
KASUKABE	08:31	08:34	27.7km

KASUKABE	08:42	08:44	35.3km
TOBUDOBUTSUKOEN	08:48	08:49	41.0km
ITAKURATOYODAIMAE	09:09	09:10	66.6km
SHINOHIRASHITA	09:21	09:21	81.1km
TOCHIGI	09:25	09:26	85.9km
SHINTOCHIGI	09:29	09:31	88.9km
SHINKANUMA	09:45	09:45	107.8km
SHIMOIMAICHI	10:02	10:08	128.4km
TOBUNIKKO	10:16		135.5km

Ueno Park is a large public park just next to Ueno Station. It was opened to the public in 1873, and offers its visitors a large variety of attractions.

At the park's south entrance stands a statue of Saigo Takamori, an important personality of the late Edo and early Meiji Period. He played a central role in realizing the Meiji Restoration of 1868.

Ueno Park is famous for its many museums, especially art museums, namely the Tokyo National Museum, the Orient Museum, the National Science Museum, the Shitamachi Museum, the National Museum for Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Fine Art Gallery.

Since 1882, Ueno Park is home to Japan's first zoological garden. Its main attraction are giant panda bears. The first panda bears where a gift from China on the occasion of normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972.

Shinobazu Pond is a large pond in Ueno Park. A temple for the goddess of Benten stands on the island in the middle of the pond.

Toshogu Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. It is well worth paying the 200 Yen admission fee in order to enter the inner shrine area and main building.

Last but not least, Ueno Park is famous for its more than 1000 cherry trees. During the cherry blossom season, Ueno Park becomes one of the country's most popular and crowded spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.

Ueno Park is just next to Ueno Station. Easiest access is provided by the station's "Park Exit".

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. In Shinto, it is not uncommon to enshrine the deified spirits of important personalities.

Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan. He was born in 1852 and ascended to the throne in 1868 at the peak of the Meiji Restauration when the power was switched from the feudal Tokugawa government to the emperor. During the Meiji Period, Japan modernized and westernized herself to join the world's major powers by the time Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912.

The Meiji Shrine was completed in 1920, and rebuilt after being destroyed in World War Two. It is located in a wooded park area next to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. Various events and festivals are celebrated at the shrine throughout the year.

The approach to Meiji Shrine starts a few steps from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Subway Chiyoda Line.

The current Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.

Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and Imperial Residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

From Koyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

During the rest of the year, guided tours of the palace are offered in Japanese, with an English pamphlet and audio guide provided. Tours must be reserved in advance at the Imperial Household Agency. Reservations over the internet are possible (see links below).

Required time: 57minute	(taking time 49min)
Distance: 43.4 km	(transfers 1)
Total amount of money: ¥690	(fare ¥690 charge ¥0)

KASHIWA	09:04	09:04		10.5km
MATSUDO	09:13	09:13		21.7km
KITASENJU	09:22	09:22		32.2km
MINAMISENJU	09:24	09:24		34.0km
MIKAWASHIMA	09:28	09:28		36.2km
NIPPORI	09:30	09:30		37.4km
UENO	09:33		11	39.6km

Nodashi to Nikko

Nodashi to Tokyo – Ueno Park