Minamoto Yoritomo who was the first Samurai Shogun of Japan had founded the Kamakura Shogunate in the 12th century in Kamakura area.
In the middle of 12th century, two great clans had become powerful to control politics and support the Imperial court. The two clans were Heike and Genji.Taira Kiyomori who was the top of Samurai in Heian era (794 – 1185) had established the base of Samurai world in Japan.
After his death, Minamoto Yoriitomo had decided to fight and destroy Heike and finally he won the war.

Yoritomo had placed the capital in Kamakura as the first Samurai government and established the original Samurai culture of simple and strong characteristic combined with common people culture.
The reason he selected this area is that Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the forth of the city faces the sea, so it is difficult for enemies to attack Kamakura.
There are lots of temple of Zen Buddhism which Samurai specially had believed.
As such, the unique culture which are different from that of Kyoto and Nara has been established up to now.

After Kamakura government was ruined in 1333 and the capital had been transferred to Kyoto again, Kamakura once had lost prosperity. However, from Edo period (1603 – 1867), those temples has been revived combined with new scenic spots such as Enoshima-island, beaches and so-on and common people in Edo era had started to visit here as tour spots.
Further in 1889, after the train named Yokosuka opened, Kamakura has known as resort and villa area and the town many intellectuals gathered in all over Japan.

As such, the original culture of Samurai, natural features as fishing and farming village and fashionable atmosphere which people created are combined that has created unique town Kamakura.
At present, Kamakura is one of the representative tour spots in Japan where many surfers, sea bathers and tourists from all over the world.

1) The place where you can experience:
(Hasedera Temple to see various beautiful flowers and Hase kannon):
Hasedera temple is said to have been constructed to enshrine Kannon in 736. Hase Kannon is the biggest wooden sculpture in Japan. It is 9.18 meters high. It is an eleven header Kannon. Each face has a different expression because Kannon is listening to the wishes of all types of people.  Various beautiful flowers: 2500 Hydrangeas of more than 40 different kinds in rainy season, Cherry blossoms in spring, Lotus flower and lilies in early summer & midsummer, Autumn leaves and bush clovers in autumn and Plum blossoms from winter to early spring.
Landmark of Hase temple at the entrance:

The compound of Hase Temple is called the Paradise of the Pure Land of Kamakura:

Stroll garden in Hase temple:

Various flowers found in Hase temple:

Jizo hall:
People devoted to Hase temple asked to build this hall.
Fuku-Kotobuki Jizo who gives blessing of easy childbirth and prosperity are set inside the hall.
Thousand statues of Jizo Bosatsu are lined in surrounding of the hall.
Fuku-Kotobuki Jizo:

Thousand statues of Jizo Bosatsu:

Nagomi-Jizo:
One Jizo statue is standing in the precinct which is called “Nagomi-Jizo” which have people soften their heart.

Beautiful landsacape of Yuigahama beach and sea of Shonan from the height of Hase temple:

2) The place where you can enjoy:
(New-Enoshima aquarium):
New-Enoshima aquarium is located along the coast of west side Shonan beach from where you can see both Mt.Fuji on right side and Enoshima island on west side.

Sagami Bay large tank in which 8 thousand of sardines and various fishes of total 20 thousand alive in Sagami bay as the center of this aquarium, various types of tanks and exhibits are shown such as deep sea area, jellyfish fantasy hall, penguin & seal hall and so-on. The giant water tank is 9 meters height and has 1000 ton capacity.

Specially, you can enjoy more than 40 kinds of jellyfish in the jellyfish fantasy hall which has been established by cultivated experience through breeding research and exhibit method of jellyfishes by spending more than 60 years.  Many jellyfish researchers in the world come to this aquarium to study them.
Also, periodical dolphin show is executed.

Sagami bay is influenced by both two tides collision, one from cold current (Oyashio) and the other from warm current (Kuroshio) that makes the sea bay as a rich sea with many creatures.
In the water tank, there are 20 thousand and 100 kinds of creatures exhibited with not only edible fishes such as horse mackerel and chub mackerel but also sharks and stingrays. The giant water tank is 9 meters height and has 1000ton capacity.

Specially, a group of about 8 thousand sardines are swimming by changing direction and shape with silver sparkling.

By walking toward Sagami bay zone, you will see a reef tank in which seaweed such as wakame seaweed and Ecklonia cava are set. You can be relaxed when you see the seaweed swaying.

There is an exhibited corner where you can see whitebait (Japanese name: Shirasu) which is the specialty of Enoshima & Shonan. This exhibit of Shirasu alive in a water tank is the first time in the world. The staff of this aquarium have raised Shirasu since it was hatched.

From the second floor of the tank, you can see stingrays swimming.

More than 40 kinds of jellyfish in the jellyfish fantasy hall:

In Pacific Ocean area, there is a water tank where sharks are swimming.

Penguin and seal exhibits:
Humboldt penguin which lives in warm area such as Chile, Peru:

Harbor seal which lives in cold sea such as Sea of Okhotsk:

Japan Van prepares various tour itineraries for you to enjoy the view in Japan.
The minimum itinerary days is more than 5 days.
Contents of our service: We can arrange a car and a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter for your trip.

Car charter and a guide condition
1Number of tourists:  2pax – 12pax
2Charter time and guide condition:  12 hours (including 4 hours resting time)