Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Start your cultural journey by crafting your own Goshuin stamp book—a treasured item in Japanese spiritual tradition—at a charming, old-style café in Kamakura.
Goshuin, meaning ‘honorable red seal,’ originated centuries ago as proof of temple visits and evolved into beautiful calligraphic art combined with unique temple seals.
After completing your book, savor coffee carefully roasted by the café owner or a soft drink, paired with a traditional monaka sweet. As you relax, enjoy stories from the owner about Kamakura’s history and culture.
Then, take your handmade Goshuin stamp book and explore a nearby famous Hokokuji temple, known as the bamboo temple, and collect an authentic Goshuin stamp—reflections of centuries-old devotion and artistry. At the temple, you can also enjoy matcha at the traditional tea house there.
This immersive experience blends tradition, local storytelling, and the serene beauty of Kamakura’s spiritual heritage.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Immerse yourself in Japanese tradition at a charming café in Kamakura. Learn about the centuries-old custom of Goshuin (御朱印), a unique tradition cherished by temple visitors. Goshuin are beautiful calligraphic stamps given at temples and shrines as a record of visits. The practice began in the Heian period (794–1185) and evolved into the artful stamps we see today. Each stamp features the temple’s name, a unique design, and sometimes a blessing or poem. Collecting Goshuin has become a popular pastime, creating a personalized spiritual record. Next, craft your own Goshuin stamp book as a unique souvenir. Afterward, walk to a historic temple in Kamakura, renowned for its spiritual heritage, and receive an authentic Goshuin stamp—a treasured keepsake of your visit. At the temple, you can also enjoy matcha at the traditional tea house there. This tour ends at Hokokuji temple. This experience deepens your understanding of Japanese tradition and creates lasting memories of Kamakura’s sacred sites.
Options
Make your Goshuin Stamp Book in Kamakura Retro Café
What‘s Included
Goshuin Book Crafting Experience Fee
English Speaking Guide
１ Drink (coffee or soft drink) and monaka (Japanese traditional sweet) at the retro cafe. Macha at Hokokuji temple is to be paid separately by the guests.
Public transportation
Admission Fee to temple and Goshuin Fee
Any drink and/or food except for the one served at the retro cafe.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1 review
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Best Tour to Enjoy Authentic Kamakura
Chako A,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour indeed! Mr. Yamada, the tour guide, is very knowledgeable polite, and kind. He escorted me to a cozy cafe named Bambu Bambu in a traditional Japanese house with beautiful Japanese and foreign antique furniture and tableware. In such a beautiful ambiance, a very experienced and generous instructor taught me to make a Goshuin-cho, a booklet to receive beautiful hand-written calligraphy mementos from temples and shrines we visit. Making my own one-and-only-in-the-world Goshuin-cho booklet is a thrilling experience! After I made it, I enjoyed Bambu Bambu's aromatic coffee with a state-of-the-art delicious Japanese sweets named monaka which is made of a crispy outer rayer from Kyoto and tasty anko (sweet red beans paste) from Kamakura. The tour then proceeds to Hokoku-ji Temple (also known as the Temple of Bamboo Forest) where Japanese matcha tea is served. Among various tours offered in Kamakura, this is truly the best opportunity to enjoy authentic Japanese culture. Highly recommended to everyone who visit Kamakura. Please don't miss this great tour:-)
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Operated by Domo Japan Guide