Use it on both trains and buses! The "Kamakura Free Environment Pass" is a great value ticket.

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

What is the "Kamakura Free Environment Pass"?
This is a great value free pass that allows you to freely ride five bus routes and the Enoden train (which operates on designated sections) for one day, perfect for enjoying sightseeing in the Kamakura area.
By using this free pass, you can also receive discounts and free gifts at approximately 70 participating stores, temples, and shrines.

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

release date:
Year-round, except January 1st-3rd
*Sales are not available on the store's regular closing days.

Fee:
Adults: 900 yen
Children: 450 yen

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

For more details, please see here .

This time, we started from Kamakura Station, so after getting off the train, I bought an "Environmental Pass."

I immediately boarded the Enoden train and headed towards Hase-dera Temple.
Hase-dera Temple, famous for its large red lanterns, the "gate-covering pine tree," and the smiling Jizo statue, is a 5-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoden Line.
Hase-dera Temple, where beautiful seasonal flowers bloom throughout the year, is said to be the "Western Pure Land of Kamakura."
It is very famous and attracts many visitors during the early summer hydrangea season and the autumn foliage season.

At Hase-dera Temple, which is included in the special service, you can receive a mini clear file by presenting your Kamakura Free Environment Pass.

I recommend taking a leisurely stroll through the spacious temple grounds, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Kamakura town and Yuigahama beach from the observation deck, as well as visit the Kannon Museum.

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

After a leisurely stroll around Hase-dera Temple, I started to feel a little hungry, so I boarded the Enoden train again and headed to Kamakura.

While strolling along Komachi Street, I checked the list of participating stores to find something to eat, and was surprised to find that many popular restaurants were among them.
This time, we decided to go to "Kamakura Katsutei Aratama Main Store," a specialty tonkatsu restaurant located in a charming storehouse-style building at the intersection of Wakamiya-oji Street, not far from Kamakura Station.

You can enjoy juicy tonkatsu (pork cutlet) made with carefully selected pork, including the slightly sweet fat, as well as fried seafood.

With the "Kamakura Free Environment Pass," you'll receive a 5% discount on the total price. (Cash payment only)

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

One of the attractions of the "Kamakura Free Environment Pass" is that it allows unlimited rides on buses within designated areas.
You can use either Keihin Kyuko Bus or Enoden Bus.
・Accessible from the bus rotary at the east exit of Kamakura Station.
・For those heading to Kita-Kamakura Station: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform 2)
・For those heading to Jomyoji Temple: Kamakura Station East Exit (Platform 4)
・For those heading to Otomiya Shrine: 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 boarding locations, please see here ( Kamakura City official website ).

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

The bus ride from Kamakura Station to Kenchoji Temple takes you past many tourist attractions, including Wakamiya-oji Street, Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine, and the area behind the shrine, so even though it's from inside the bus, it feels like a sightseeing tour.
After about 10 minutes on the bus, you will arrive at Kenchoji Temple.

Kencho-ji Temple, the first Zen Buddhist temple in Japan and the first of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura.
This temple boasts many attractions, including its main gate, which is designated as a nationally important cultural property, and ceiling paintings. It is also famous as the origin of "kenchin-jiru" (Kencho-jiru) (although there are various theories).

I received a postcard as a perk of the "Kamakura Free Environment Pass."

After seeing the Karamon Gate of the Hojo, which is a nationally important cultural property, I recommend sitting and relaxing at the base of the Hojo.
Looking at the lush and beautiful Japanese garden, I completely lose track of time.
(Apparently, "Hojo" refers to the living quarters of the head priest within a temple. Currently, it's used for religious services and Zen meditation.)

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

After checking the bus schedule, I found that the next bus was scheduled to arrive soon, so I decided to take the bus again to Kita-Kamakura Station.
Our next destination is Engaku-ji Temple.
Engaku-ji Temple is located very close to Kita-Kamakura Station.
This time, the bus ride will take approximately 9 minutes.

Engaku-ji Temple, along with Kencho-ji Temple mentioned earlier, is said to be one of the representative temples of Kamakura Zen Buddhism.

A vibrant green vegetation stretches along the side of the stairs all the way to the main gate.
This main gate, which is adorned with vibrant red leaves in the autumn, is also famous for its beautiful fall foliage.

I received a postcard as a perk of the "Kamakura Free Environment Pass."

Kamakura, surrounded by mountains on three sides, has many valleys carved into the mountains, known as yato.
Engaku-ji Temple takes advantage of the terrain, with its layout that allows visitors to enter through the main gate and then the inner gate, gradually ascending the slope. The temple grounds are spacious and contain many points of interest, including two national treasures.

Engaku-ji Temple
Location: 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City
Official website here

Our one-day Kamakura sightseeing trip using the "Kamakura Free Environment Pass" ends here.
I took a bus from in front of Kita-Kamakura Station back to Kamakura Station.

Using the bus significantly reduces travel time, making it a great option for visiting temples and shrines to collect temple stamps.

The only drawback of Kamakura, a city with so many attractions, might be transportation to your destination.
The " Kamakura Free Environment Pass " was a very good value free pass because it allowed unlimited rides on local buses.