Business
- Property Tax
- Annual Fixed Asset Tax (typically 1.4% of assessed value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 3-4% inclusive of stamp duty and registration tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 0% incentive; new Digital Nomad Visa (6 months) allows stay but no local employment
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥1,100,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥27,500,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥750,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥18,750,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥1,000,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = ¥45,000,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥700,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = ¥31,500,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥950,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥66,500,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥650,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥45,500,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Effective rate approx. 30.62% (combined national and local)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% for non-residents, depending on tax treaties
- Tax System
- Resident status-based (non-residents taxed only on Japan-sourced income)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus 10% local inhabitant tax)
- VAT
- Consumption Tax: 10% (8% on certain food items)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'Anti-tax haven' rules apply to foreign subsidiaries
Culture and Attractions
- Cultural Districts
- Kita-Kamakura (Quiet Zen district) and Komachi-dori
- Theater Venues
- Kamakura Geijutsu Kan (Performing Arts Center)
- Local Markets
- Kamakura Renbai (Farmers Market) 8AM daily
- Music Scene
- Daphne (Jazz club in Kamakura) or live acoustic sessions at beach shacks
- Street Art
- Minimalist murals around Yuigahama surf shops
- Cooking Classes
- Kamakura Mind (Japanese home cooking and tea ceremony classes)
- Art Galleries
- Kamakura Gallery and various small pottery studios in Hase
- Historic Buildings
- Kamakura Museum of Literature (Former Marquis Maeda villa)
- Local Heritage
- Historical capital of the Shogunate; samurai heritage and Zen philosophy
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kotoku-in (The Great Buddha/Daibutsu) and Hasedera Temple
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama
- Historical Sites
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine
- Religious Sites
- Hokokuji Temple (The Bamboo Forest Temple) and Kencho-ji
- Annual Events
- Kamakura Matsuri (April) and the Yuigahama Fireworks Festival (July)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ten-en Hiking Trail (Woods and ridges overlooking the city)
- National Parks Nearby
- Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (reachable in 90 minutes)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Pacific Ocean Route along Route 134 for coastal cycling
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Inamuragasaki Park (Best sunset view of Mt. Fuji over the ocean)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Genjiyama Park (Black kites and seasonal birds)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited on beaches; check designated 'Zaimokuza' bbq spots
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) and Sagawa Express
- Tech Repair Services
- iPhone Repair Kamakura Station or major electronics stores in nearby Fujisawa (Bic Camera)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Kamakura City Gymnasium (Open to public for a small fee)
- Language Classes
- Kamakura Nihongo Class (Volunteer-led community Japanese lessons)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kamakura City Central Library (Free Wi-Fi and quiet zones)
- Community Centers
- Kamakura Lifelong Learning Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None locally; head to Fujisawa or Yokohama for Net Cafes/Gaming Centers
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Pachinko Parlors near the station; casinos are illegal in Japan
Essentials
- City
- Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- Approximately 172,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 95 Mbps; widespread fiber optics (NTT Fle's)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY, 1 EUR ≈ 162 JPY; major banks include Bank of Yokohama and MUFG
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink; high quality municipal supply
- Power
- 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Flat two-pin)
- SIM Card
- Mobal, Sakura Mobile, or Ubigi eSIM (Approx. ¥4,500 for 20GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Sony Bank (Open English app), Wise, and Japan Post Bank
- Accommodation
- Traditional Minshuku, Airbnb, and monthly guest houses like Kamakura Rakuan
- Cashless Friendly
- Increasingly common via PayPay, Suica, and Credit Cards; small temples still require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and NowRoom (Approx. ¥180,000 - ¥250,000 per month)
- Budget Accommodation
- WeBase Kamakura (approx. ¥4,500/night for dorms) or Iza Kamakura Guest House
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Komachi-dori / Near Kamakura Station for easy access to temples and shopping
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Yuigahama or Hase for beach lifestyle and quieter residential feel with cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hatara-place Kamakura (¥2,200/day) or Satellite Six in Gokurakuji
- Best Cafe for Work
- Starbucks Coffee Kamakura Onarimachi (famous poolside design) or Verve Coffee Roasters
- Networking Events
- Kamakura 'Startup' meetups and 'Zen and Tech' workshops at local temples
- Social Events for Expats
- Kamakura International Association (KIA) events and Yuigahama beach clean-up socials
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- GO App or S.Ride (Uber works primarily for taxis only)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hello Cycling (Share bikes) found at Kamakura and Hase stations (¥200/30 mins)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Yuigahama Beach (Central) or Shichirigahama (Surfing and views of Enoshima)
- Top Regional Airline
- Peach Aviation or Jetstar Japan (operating from Narita/Haneda)
- Top International Airline
- Japan Airlines (JAL) or ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- Highway Access
- E16 Yokohama-Yokosuka Road accessible via Asahina Interchange
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- JR Kamakura Station and Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)
- Public Transport Passes
- Enoden 1-Day Pass 'Noriorikun' (¥800) or Welcome Suica for visitors
- Regional Travel
- JR Yokosuka Line to Tokyo (approx. 55 mins, ¥950) or Shonan-Shinjuku Line
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Kamakura Kyosai Hospital (General hospital with some English support)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sugar Yoga at Yuigahama or Beach Yoga sessions during summer months
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Anytime Fitness Kamakura (¥7,678/month) near the station
- Laundry Services
- Baluko Laundry Place Kamakura (Modern laundromat with cafe nearby)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Wolt are active in the central Kamakura area
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Shirasu-don (Whitebait over rice) at Misakiya near Hase
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Saiseian (Shojin Ryori/Buddhist cuisine) or Sora-Mizu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Kamakura Chacha (High-intensity Matcha gelato) or Daily by Long Track Foods
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Kamakura City Farmers Market (Renbai) for fresh local 'Kamakura Yasai'
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.jp, Rakuten, and Mercari
- Grocery Delivery
- Aeon Net Super or Ito-Yokado Net Super
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bar Ram near the station or the small izakayas along 'Eki-mae' alleyways
- Local Brewery
- Kamakura Beer (available at Yoridokoro or local convenience stores)
- Wine Bars
- Umiyama (natural wine) or Cave d'Occitane
- Street Food Stalls
- Komachi-dori street (try the grilled rice crackers or fish cakes)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bills Shichirigahama (Australian breakfast/brunch with ocean views)