Kamakura

A coastal city south of Yokohama that served as Japan's political capital during the Kamakura shogunate period from 1185 to 1333, leaving a concentration of Zen Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and the giant outdoor bronze Kotoku-in Buddha statue in its hilly valleys. Hiking trails connect many of the temples through a forested ridge system, passing stone-cut cliff tombs and meditation caves. The city's beaches draw summer visitors, while the temple gardens attract visitors year-round.