Beyond its famous temples and Great Buddha, Kamakura hides a network of leafy hiking trails threading through the forested hills that ring the old samurai capital. The best-known, the Daibutsu Trail, links Kita-Kamakura’s temples to the Great Buddha and Zeniarai Benten shrine, while the longer Tenen Trail traces a ridge with sea views. These easy-to-moderate walks let you escape the crowds, pass tucked-away shrines and bamboo, and stitch the town’s highlights together on foot — a refreshing, scenic way to experience Kamakura that combines nature, history and a workout in a single day.
This guide covers the main trails, what they link, difficulty and access.
🗓️ Quick Reference
| Location | Hills around Kamakura, Kanagawa |
| Main routes | Daibutsu Trail, Tenen Trail |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate (a few hours) |
| Best time | Spring & autumn; avoid wet, muddy days |
| Good for | Walkers, temple-hopping, nature |
The Daibutsu Trail
- Connects Kita-Kamakura (Jochiji temple) over the hills to the Great Buddha in Hase.
- A ~1.5–2 hour walk passing Zeniarai Benten (money-washing shrine) and forest paths.
- Ends at the famous Kamakura Daibutsu — see our Kamakura guide .
Other trails
- Tenen Trail: a longer ridge route from Kenchoji with occasional sea views.
- Gionyama and Kinubari trails offer shorter hill walks near the centre.
- Trails link temples, shrines and the bamboo grove of Hokokuji.
Difficulty & tips
- Mostly easy-to-moderate with some roots, steps and mud after rain.
- Wear proper shoes, bring water, and avoid slippery trails after heavy rain.
- Trails can be poorly signed in spots — carry a map or offline navigation.
Combine your visit
Hiking ties Kamakura’s sights together:
- Finish at the Great Buddha and Hase temples — see our Kamakura guide .
- Try a zazen meditation at a Zen temple to round out the day — see our Kamakura zazen guide .
How to get there
- JR to Kita-Kamakura Station to start the Daibutsu Trail; finish near Hase (Enoden).
- ~1 hour from Tokyo Station.
