This is the shortest trail, and the closest one from JR Kamakura Station among all the Kamakura hiking trails. The trail traverses the ridges of Gion-yama Hills, starting from stone steps at the back of the Yagumo-jinja Shrine and ending at the site where Tosho-ji Temple used to be. It takes about only one hour and is relatively easy. The trail has a great view of Mt. Fuji, the bay and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. An index of this series is here.
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Kamakura’s Gion-yama Hiking Trail
Seeing Kamakura from the backend - 3

Community writer

Yagumo-jinja Shrine

View point for Mt. Fuji and the bay

Relatively easy course

Shaga (Japanese Iris)

A distant view of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Clear sign of the course

The course is close to the city

This is where Kamakura Shogunate came to an end (Takatoki Harakiri Yagura)

Pretty flowers on the trail

The site where Tosho-ji Temple used to be

River near the end point of the course
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Nicole, the starting point is Yagumo-jinja Shrine in Ohmachi, Kamakura. Go straight down the Wakamiya-oji Street from the east exit of JR Kamakura Station, and turn left at Geba-yotsukado. When you see Omachi-yotsukado bus stop, turn left and soon go into a path in the right. There is a small shrine there. In the backyard of this shrine (Yagumo-jinja Shrine), there are steps of the starting point of this hiking course.
If you are not sure, please ask and put a mark on your map at the information desk next to the station.
If you are not sure, please ask and put a mark on your map at the information desk next to the station.
Nicole Bauer
12 years ago
Hi Tomoko, nice pictures! Can you tell me where exactly the trail starts?
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If you are not sure, please ask and put a mark on your map at the information desk next to the station.