Kamakura Travel Forum

Hello, I'm planning a trip to Japan this summer, and I only have one day for a one day trip around Tokyo.
What is the best choice, Kamakura or Nikko.

Thank you

hello
Nikko....

ursula

Nikko has some pretty spectacular stuff but so does Kamakura which has a great old-Japan feel in it's temples. Kamakura is at least an hour closer to Tokyo as well. You're looking at probably 2 hours of travel (round trip) to Kamakura and 4 hours to Nikko.

You really can't go wrong with either location. Sorry, I'm sure none of that helps make your decision.

I am going to visit both in April. But if I could choose only one to go to I would choose to go to Nikko.

I think Kamakura would be the better choice along with some sightseeing in Yokohama.

The place Kamakura has 1 Shrine, Daibutsu (Big Buddha) Statue only. But u can definitely add up Enoshima, Yokohama, hakkejima (Dolphin show and aquarium)or Odaiba area (a famous and popular spot to play and visit. There are shopping malls, amusement parks, hotels and a big exhibition hall) to your one day tour. It is going to be hectic schedule.

Nikko is realy beautiful for scenic locations. You can find information on http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/shigai/index.html

If you prefer natural beauty then Nikko is really good as you can see few of the best shrines in Japan here.

Kamakura too is beautiful But even I will say its better to go to Nikko for scenic views.

If you are crazy for roller coasters then i suppose Odaiba area would be good.

Hope this helps.

hello
actually kamakura has many, I mean many temples to choice from..:)..
but here are the most important if you choice to go..

Kotokuin .....Home of the Great Buddha of kamakura
Hasedera..... A temple famous for its large wooden Kannon statue.
Kenchoji ...The number one of Kamakura's five great Zen temples.
Engakuji....The number two of Kamakura's five great Zen temples.
Jufukuji...The number three of Kamakura's five great Zen temples.
Jochiji ....The number four of Kamakura's five great Zen temples.
Zuisenji Zen temple ....famous for its gardens.

Odaiba is a great place.like suggested above...and it sure will take up the one day you got...

Ursula

Hi
I actually live pretty close to Nikko, and it is certainlly well worth the trip. I`ve been to Kamakura and loved it too though...
So here are my impressions of the 2 places...
Nikko offers some beautiful temples AND it`s in a national park - which for me is the best part of Nikko. If you go, make sure you take the bus to lake Chuzenji where you get great views of Mount Nansai, and there are also a couple of pretty spectacular waterfalls really nearby to check out (Kegon Falls is the most impressive one). A big plus for Nikko if you`re visiting in summer is that it`s usually a little cooler around Nikko because it`s higher up.
Kamakura doesn`t have the scenery Nikko does, but the town itself is a little more pleasant. In Kamakura, there are many many many many shrines and temples to see, where as in Nikko there is just the one main cluster of temples. The temples/shrines in Kamakura are also a bit different to those in Nikko - think more elegent than spectacular. There are literally dozens of them, and Kamakura also has the 2nd largest statue of Buddha in Japan.
So they are both worth visiting, but I suppose Nikko could be done quicker than Kamakura, as there isn`t much more to Nikko Town than the main temple complex, and you can take in Chuzenji in the same day easilly.
My personal favourite.. I don`t have one!

Summer in Japan is usually very hot and humid. Nikko would allow you to escape the most uncomfortable summer weather for at least a little while.
Kamakura has the sea and usually a breeze off the water. Personally in the summer I prefer the being near the sea.