Kamakura

This is where Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura shogunate in the late 12th century and began the rule of the samurai. The city later became the center of government in early medieval Japan. Many shrines and temples were built among its ancient government buildings and samurai residences as the city prospered. Kamakura declined after the destruction of the shogunate in the 14th century. During the Edo period, the city was restored as a travel destination, and today it is second only to Kyoto and Nara as a destination for experiencing ancient Japan. Major attractions include the Hase-dera temple, the Hokoku-ji “Bamboo Temple,” and the Kotoku-in temple with its famed Great Buddha of Kamakura.