As the birthplace of Japan's Kamakura Shogunate, the first samurai government, Kamakura is an ancient city of samurai with a historical ambience on par with Nara and Kyoto.

Kamakura was an ideal destination for building a samurai fort because it is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea to the south. You can enjoy many historic temples and shrines, expansive views, and beautiful Japanese gardens, including Tsurugaoka Hachimangu founded by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun, Kotokuin Temple, renowned for the Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura), the Kamakura Gozan temples (Kenchoji Temple, Engakuji Temple, Jufukuji Temple, Jochiji Temple, and Jomyoji Temple) in which the samurai spirituality of simplicity and austerity lives on, the hydrangeas of Meigetsuin Temple and Hasedera Temple, and the bamboo forest of Hokouji Temple.

Kamakura also has an abundance of nature, and there is a full range of fun tourist activities such as hiking and marine sports.