Know Before You Go: Kamakura Etiquette, History, and Local Secrets

Manners & Rules

Say No to Street Smoking

Kamakura has strict "No Street Smoking" zones across a wide area of the city.

Smoking in these zones is prohibited by local ordinance, and you can be fined if you ignore warnings to stop.

While you might occasionally see a local breaking the rules, please don’t follow their lead!

Dress Respectfully at Shrines and Temples

Unlike some countries, Japanese shrines and temples don’t have rigid, official dress codes for casual tourists.

However, low-cut tops or crop tops that expose your midriff can be seen as disrespectful.

While sleeveless shirts and shorts are perfectly fine and common during the warmer months, aiming for a slightly modest look is always appreciated.

Sightseeing

Cash is Still King Here

Many shops and restaurants in Kamakura are small, family-owned businesses.

Because cashless payment fees can be a burden for them, credit cards and smartphone payments aren't as widely accepted as you might think.

While major stores and some places on Komachi Street accept cards, you should definitely keep some cash on hand.

Popular Spots are Always Crowded

Since Kamakura is an easy day-trip from Tokyo, it attracts crowds even on weekdays.

You will also frequently see large groups of Japanese students here on school trips.

As a result, popular restaurants and cafes are almost always busy.

If there is a specific spot you can’t miss, make sure to give yourself plenty of time!

For Sit-Down Dinners, Skip Komachi Street

Komachi Street is a fantastic place for street food and casual snacking, but to be honest, the sit-down restaurants there aren't the best. In fact, locals rarely eat at them. For an authentic, high-quality Kamakura dining experience, venture off the main strip. (Check out our Spots, where we share plenty of our favorite recommended restaurants!)

Beat the Crowds: Experience Morning and Night

Because most visitors come to Kamakura just for a day trip, the city empties out beautifully in the mornings and evenings.

At night, it becomes surprisingly quiet and peaceful.

We highly recommend staying overnight to see the mystical Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine lit up or to take a quiet evening stroll along the beach.

Google Maps Operating Hours Are "Whimsical"

Small, independent shops in Kamakura don't always stick to their listed hours on Google Maps.

If business is slow, they might close early, and temporary closures for personal reasons are very common.

Don't rely too heavily on Google Maps—approach it with a relaxed mindset: "If it's open, I'm lucky!"

Beware of the Black Kites (Hawks)!

Near the beaches of Kamakura, you will always see Tonbi (Black Kites) circling the sky, hunting for tourists' food.

Even we have had our bread and rice balls snatched away!

They swoop down completely silently and steal your food in the blink of an eye.

Be extremely careful when eating anything outdoors near the ocean!

Transportation

Green Cars Require an Extra Ticket

When traveling from central Tokyo to Kamakura, you will likely take the JR train lines.

These trains often feature "Green Cars," which are essentially first-class cars.

To ride in one, you must purchase a separate Green Ticket on top of your regular train fare.

Interestingly, these tickets are more expensive on weekdays than on weekends and holidays.

Also, purchasing a Green Ticket does not guarantee you a seat.

Even if the car is full and you have to stand, you still need to pay the Green Car fee if you stay inside that carriage.

Major Traffic Jams on Weekends

Roads in Kamakura get heavily congested on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you plan to get around by rental car or bus, be prepared for heavy traffic and a tough search for parking.

Pro Tip: Parking rates drop significantly if you look just a bit outside the city center, and you are much more likely to find an open spot there!

Other Tips

Japan’s 2 spiritual spots: Shrines vs. Temples

Shrines (Jinja): Centers of Japan's native religion, Shinto. Look for the iconic Torii gate.

They are managed by Shinto priests and Miko (shrine maidens) who serve nature spirits.

Temples (Otera): Centers of Buddhism, introduced from abroad.

Look for Buddha statues and Sanmon gates, where Buddhist monks live and practice.

How to worship: At a shrine, you clap (Bow twice, clap twice, bow once).

At a temple, simply press your hands together in silent prayer—never clap!

Spotting Shinto priests in their traditional robes or Miko in white and red makes your visit even more magical!

Pro Tip: While "2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow" is the standard, famous places like Izumo Taisha require 4 claps. Look at the signage or copy the locals!

Why are they sometimes in the same place? (Shinbutsu-Shugo)

For centuries, Shintoism and Buddhism beautifully coexisted and blended together in Japan—a concept called Shinbutsu-Shugo.

That’s why you will often see a Shinto shrine right next to a Buddhist temple building, or a Torii gate standing on temple grounds.

How to handle it: Don't panic! Just switch your style depending on the specific spot you are standing in: clap at the shrine structure, and silently pray at the temple structure.

How Kamakura Differs from Kyoto

Unlike Kyoto, which was the elegant capital of the imperial court and aristocrats, Kamakura was founded in the late 12th century as Japan’s first capital ruled by the Samurai (warriors).

While Kyoto sparkles with refined, glamorous aesthetics, Kamakura embraces a powerful, minimalist beauty favored by practical warriors.

Surrounded by steep hills and the sea, Kamakura was built as a natural fortress, creating a rugged landscape quite different from Kyoto’s organized grid layout.

The city's temples heavily reflect Zen Buddhism, which the samurai practiced for mental discipline.

This history leaves Kamakura with a uniquely calm, raw, and authentic warrior spirit that you can still feel today.

Where does the name "Kamakura" come from?

One popular theory is that it describes the city’s unique geography.

"Kama" means a traditional cooking oven, and "Kura" means a valley surrounded by hills.

Looking down from the hiking trails, Kamakura really does look like a giant bowl hidden in nature!