Use it on trains and buses! A great value ticket: the "Kamakura Free Environmental Ticket"

*This article was posted on February 2, 2024. Please note that the content may have changed.

What is the "Kamakura Free Environmental Bill"?
This is a great value all-day pass that allows you to ride five bus routes and the Enoshima Electric Railway, which operates within designated areas, as many times as you like for one day to enjoy sightseeing in the Kamakura area.
If you use this free ticket, you can receive special discounts and gifts at approximately 70 participating stores, temples, shrines, etc.

Sales location:
Enoshima Electric Railway Kamakura Station, Hase Station
Keihin Kyuko Bus Kamakura Office, Kamakura Station Information Center

release date:
All year round except January 1st to 3rd
*Not available on days when the sales location is closed.

Fee:
Adults 900 yen
Children: 450 yen

Available sections:
Train: Enoshima Electric Railway Kamakura Station to Hase Station
Bus (Keihin Kyuko Bus, Enoden Bus starting from Kamakura Station)
Within the area between Kita-Kamakura Station, Daitomiya, Jomyoji Temple, Daibutsu-mae, and Nagoshi

Please click here for more details.

This time, I started from Kamakura Station, so I got off the train and purchased an Environmental Ticket.

We immediately boarded the Enoshima Electric Railway and headed to Hasedera Temple.
Hasedera Temple, famous for its large red lanterns, the "Mon-kaburi no Matsu" (pine tree overlooking the gate), and its smiling Jizo statue, is a five-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway.
Hasedera Temple, where beautiful seasonal flowers bloom all year round, is known as "Kamakura's Western Pure Land."
It is very famous and attracts many visitors during the hydrangea season in early summer and the autumn leaves season in autumn.

At Hasedera Temple, which is eligible for the special service, you can receive a mini clear file by presenting your Kamakura Free Environmental Pass.

We recommend taking a leisurely stroll around the spacious grounds, which include an observation deck offering a panoramic view of Kamakura's cityscape and Yuigahama Beach, and the Kannon Museum.

Hasedera Temple
Location: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Official website here

After a leisurely stroll around Hasedera Temple, I was feeling a little hungry, so I hopped back on the Enoden train and headed to Kamakura.

As I strolled down Komachi-dori to find some food to fill my stomach, I checked the list of participating stores and was surprised to see that many popular restaurants were participating.
This time, we decided to go to Kamakura Katsutei Araju Main Branch, a specialty cutlet restaurant housed in a quaint storehouse-style building at the intersection of Wakamiya-oji Street, close to Kamakura Station.

They use carefully selected pork, and you can enjoy juicy pork cutlets with slightly sweet fat, as well as fried seafood.

With the "Kamakura Free Environmental Bill" you will receive a 5% discount off the total amount (only for cash payments).

Kamakura Katsutei Araju Main Branch
Location: 1-5-24 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business hours Lunch 11:00-16:00 Dinner 16:00-22:00
Official website here

One of the attractions of the "Kamakura Free Environmental Pass" is that it allows unlimited rides on buses within the designated area.
Both Keihin Kyuko Bus and Enoshima Electric Railway Bus are available.
・Available from the Kamakura Station East Exit bus rotary.
・For those heading to Kita-Kamakura Station: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform 2)
・For those heading to Jomyoji Temple: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform No. 4)
・For those heading to Daitonomiya: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform 5)
・For those heading to the Great Buddha: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform 1, Platform 6)
・For those heading to Nagoshi: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform 3)
*For details on the boarding point, please see here ( Kamakura City official website )

Next, we'll head to Kenchoji Temple, so we'll board from platform 2.

From Kamakura Station to Kenchoji Temple, we passed through many tourist attractions via Wakamiya-oji Street - in front of Kamakura Hachiman-gu Shrine - and behind Hachiman-gu Shrine, so even though we were inside the bus, it felt like we were on a sightseeing bus.
After about a 10-minute ride, you will arrive at Kenchoji Temple.

Kenchoji Temple is the first Zen Buddhist temple in Japan and the first of the Kamakura Five Mountains.
This temple has many sights to see, including the Sanmon Gate, which has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the ceiling paintings, and is also famous as the origin of "Kenchinjiru (Kenchojiru)" (there are various theories).

I received a postcard as a bonus for purchasing the Kamakura Free Environmental Tegata.

After seeing the Karamon Gate of the Hojo, a National Important Cultural Property, we recommend taking a seat and relaxing at the base of the Hojo.
You'll lose track of time as you gaze upon the beautiful, lush Japanese garden.
(The "hojo" is apparently the place within the temple where the chief priest lived. Currently, it is used for memorial services and zazen (zen meditation).)

Kenchoji Temple
Location: 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Official website here

I checked the bus times and saw that the next bus was due to arrive soon, so I decided to take the bus again to Kita-Kamakura Station.
Our next destination is Engakuji Temple.
Engakuji Temple is located very close to Kita-Kamakura Station.
This time the bus ride takes about 9 minutes.

Engakuji Temple, along with Kenchoji Temple, is said to be one of the representative temples of Kamakura Zen Buddhism.

Alongside the stairs, vibrant greenery continues all the way to the main gate.
In autumn, this main gate turns from green to bright red, and it is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves.

I received a postcard as a bonus for purchasing the Kamakura Free Environmental Tegata.

Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and there are many valleys cut into the mountains called yato.
Engakuji Temple makes the most of this terrain, with its layout gradually ascending from the Main Gate to the Sanmon Gate, and its vast grounds are home to many sights, including two national treasures.

Engakuji Temple
Location: 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Official website here

This is the end of your one-day tour of Kamakura using the "Kamakura Free Environmental Pass."
We took a bus from Kita-Kamakura Station back to Kamakura Station.

Using the bus can significantly reduce travel time, so it is also recommended for visiting temples to collect stamps.

The only drawback to Kamakura, which has many attractions, may be transportation to your destination.
The Kamakura Free Environmental Pass is a great value free pass that allows you to get on and off local buses as many times as you like.