Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for its historic temples, beautiful beaches, and cultural significance. |
| 👥 Population | approx. 175,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.007 USD, 1 USD ≈ 142 JPY |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and au. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like Shinsei Bank, Resona Bank, and international services like Wise. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments, guesthouses, and Airbnbs; average rent for a studio is around ¥70,000/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, many places accept credit cards, but cash is preferred in some traditional settings. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local guesthouses. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Kamakura Guesthouse, prices start around ¥3,500/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Yuigahama and Hase areas near the beach and cultural sites. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Kamakura City Center for access to cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Kamakura Workpace, with great facilities and ocean views. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Kamakura, known for its atmosphere and internet speed. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups at Kamakura Hub, often featuring expat-friendly themes. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Kamakura International Community hosts events and meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available but also consider local taxis. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local rental shops available near Kamakura Station. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Yuigahama Beach, accessible within 10 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Haneda Airport, with bus services to Kamakura. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA) for international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access via National Route 134, connecting to Tokyo and nearby areas. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Kamakura Station, with connections to the JR Yokosuka Line. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Kamakura Enoshima Pass for local travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services to Yokohama and Tokyo (about 1 hour). |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Kamakura Medical Center, providing a range of medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogafull Kamakura offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Kamakura Sports Center with excellent facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundries available, such as Laundromat Kamakura. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Demaekan are popular. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Kamakura's famous shirasu-don (whitebait rice bowl). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Eden Cafe and Kamakura Vegan. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Kamakura’s famous 'Violet Bakery' for artisanal desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Kamakura Farmers Market every Sunday for fresh local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Rakuten and Amazon Japan are widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Seiyu and Aeon offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Kamakura’s southern area has cozy bars like 'The Olde England'. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Kamakura Beer, a local craft brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar Kamakura for a variety of selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kamakura Komachi Street has various street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like 'Pizza Slice' and 'Bember Cafe' serve diverse options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Great Buddha of Kamakura and Hase-dera Temple. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Kamakura Museum of Literature, focusing on local authors. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a key historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Engaku-ji Temple, a prominent Zen temple. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Hina Matsuri—Doll Festival in March and Kamakura Fireworks Festival in summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Komachi Street is known for shopping and traditional culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Kamakura Performing Arts Center for local performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Kamakura’s Komachi Street Market is vibrant on weekends. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local live music venues include 'Kamakura Music Hall'. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Kamakura has several murals, particularly around Komachi Street. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Ramen cooking classes with locals are available. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Kamakura Art Space showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Kamakura Post Office is a remarkable heritage site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The unique fusion of Zen culture and seaside tranquility. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Kamakura Hiking Trails offer beautiful forest paths. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Enoshima Island Spa&Resort immersed in natural beauty. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Coastal walkways from Yuigahama to Enoshima. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from Hase-dera Temple overlooks the ocean. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Yuigahama Beach is a great spot for coastal birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near Yuigahama Beach for evening bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Japan Post and Yamato offer reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops available in Kamakura for electronics repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers offer table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Kamakura Language School provides Japanese language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Kamakura Library offers quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Kamakura Community Center offers various activities for residents. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Arcade and gaming spots available around Komachi Street. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos; however, gaming is available at arcades. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥12,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥9,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥22,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥350,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥17,500,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥32,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥24,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive rates based on income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable to foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% for residential properties. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific tax benefits but competitive rates for foreign income. |