{"id":104724,"date":"2024-09-26T09:45:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T00:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=104724"},"modified":"2024-09-26T09:45:48","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T00:45:48","slug":"kamakura-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kamakura-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling Through Japan\u2019s Medieval Heartland in Kamakura"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Approximately an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura feels like a world apart<\/strong>. This coastal city, cradled between forested hills and the sea, boasts a laid-back style that\u2019s pretty much evident the moment you set foot outside the train station. Once the seat of the Kamakura shogunate and the country\u2019s military capital during this period<\/a>, Japan\u2019s fascinating medieval history comes to life in its countless ancient shrines and temples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For starters, iconic spots like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Great Buddha of Kamakura are a good chance to explore the cultural depth of a city that has stood for centuries and that nowadays, is one of the top destinations in the Kanto region<\/strong>, both for international visitors and residents of Greater Tokyo. A haven for beach-goers, hiking enthusiasts or history nerds, Kamakura has been one of my favorite choices for a quick train escapade. Keep reading and you\u2019ll understand why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kamakura\u2019s significance in Japanese history is undeniable. In 1185, the powerful Minamoto no Yoritomo<\/a> established his bakufu<\/em><\/strong> or military government here, marking the beginning of the Kamakura shogunate. This period signaled a seismic shift in Japan\u2019s political landscape, as power transitioned from the Imperial Court in Kyoto to the warrior class, laying the foundation for centuries of samurai rule<\/strong>. Kamakura, a natural fortress protected by mountains on three sides and the sea on the fourth, was a strategic choice for the Minamoto clan\u2019s new headquarters, quickly transforming the city into the political and military heart of Japan.<\/p>\n\n\nKamakura and the Birth of the Shogunate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n