WakaAn
KAMAKURA: Historic Capital of Samurai and Zen
Explore Deep Local Culture
「和」"Wa" means Japan. It also has the connotation of harmony, peacefulness.
And "Waka" has multiple meanings.
「和花」 Japanese flower, 「和歌」 Japanese poetry, 「和華」 Japanese splendor.
The name “Waka An” perfectly expresses what you will experience with our service.
Waka An offers a deep Japanese cultural experience
that only a “Kamakura Local” with love to Japanese culture can propose.
Deep Local Cultural Experiences
Why Kamakura
Historic Capital of Samurai and Zen
Long history and deep culture
Birthplace of the Samurai Shogunate and Zen in Japan
Overflowing with nature, both ocean and mountain
Overlooking the sea, time flows gently and relaxed
Kamakura is the place where Japan's first samurai government, the "Shogunate", was established.
It is the only city that conveys the legacy of the Shogunate city.
During the Kamakura period, Kamakura developed as the center of Japan in all aspects, creating a unique culture different from Kyoto.
It is said that many of the values and behaviors of the Japanese people were created from the samurai culture of Kamakura.
In Kamakura, Zen was patronized and deeply penetrated by the Samurai Shogunate, and firmly took root and developed in Japan.
For this reason, there are many shrines and temples in Kamakura, especially Zen temples, which are of historical importance.
And various festivals are held throughout the year. These festivals are numerous, varied, and very interesting.
Kamakura is surrounded by the sea to the south and mountains on the other three sides, making it a city blessed with abundant nature.
There are hiking trails in the low mountains, where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery.
On the sea, there are three beaches where marine sports can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Kamakura is also home to many places famous for their flowers.
Famous places are temples and shrines, but also in alleys, seasonal flowers bloom, allowing visitors to feel the changing of the seasons.
As the city overlooks the sea, a laid-back and relaxed time flows in Kamakura.
Because of this, the locals in Kamakura are friendly and open-minded. Everyone is relaxed and time passes in a leisurely manner.
Blessed with ocean and mountain, blessed with food
Great restaurants by chefs fascinated by rich ingredients
Easy to access from Tokyo, only an hour away
Places of interest concentrated, easy to visit anywhere
The sea of Kamakura is a fishing ground where many varieties of fish can be caught throughout the year.
High-class fishes such as black sea bream, lobsters, abalone are landed.
Fresh fish, including the Kamakura specialty “Raw Shirasu”(Whitebait) loses its freshness quickly, so be sure to taste the true flavor of the fish at the spot.
The vegetables grown in the fields near Kamakura are famously known as “Kamakura vegetables” .
Many chefs fall in love with the “overwhelming richness of flavor” that the fertile soil, containing large amount of minerals due to the geographical proximity of the sea and mountains, produces.
Attracted by the wonderful ingredients, and free and relaxed atmosphere, many famous chefs from Tokyo have moved to Kamakura to open their own small and charming restaurants.
As it was developed as a city of the samurai government "Shogunate", Kamakura was built in a natural fortress, surrounded by the sea to the south and mountains on the remaining three sides.
Because of this, most of the historical sites and the main functions of the city today are concentrated within a roughly 3 km square area.
Kamakura is therefore very compact and convenient for sightseeing, as you can walk from the center of the city to most of the place of interest.
Also, Kamakura is only about 25 minutes from Yokohama Station, and about 55 minutes from Tokyo Station by train.
Even if you are staying in Tokyo or Yokohama, you can enjoy Kamakura even on a day trip.
Kamakura has a long and deep history as the capital of samurai and Zen, surrounded by abundant greenery and the calm sea, and is very close to the Tokyo metropolitan area .
Our Service
Japan has a unique art and culture nurtured over a long history, and the heartfelt hospitality and the beauty of its natural environment in each of the four seasons.
Kamakura is the birthplace of the Samurai Government, and Japanese Zen.
And an important capital of Japanese history and culture along with Kyoto.
Waka An offers carefully selected deep Japanese cultural experiences that only a “Kamakura Local” living in Kamakura who love Japanese culture and love Kamakura can propose.
This is an authentic, in-depth, and true Japanese cultural experience that is completely different from the typical tourist experience programs.
Moreover, the Local Expert and Navigator, who have native-like English, and international communication skills, will seamlessly tailor-make and provide full support according to the needs of each client from the time you request a reservation until the end of your experience.
You can be assured that you will be able to focus on deeply savoring your experience with all of your five senses, and deeply appreciate the best of Japanese culture.
Key Features of Our Service
Deep local
cultural experience
that only a "Kamakura Local" can offer
Deep knowledge
of Japanese culture
that only a person who deeply loves Japanese culture can offer
Free from
language stress
with native-like English and international communication skills
Close coordination
with attention
to detail
from reservation to
the end of experience
Full tailor-made
support
according to the individual needs
of each customer
Flow of Service
01
Booking request & First contact by e-mail
Please send us your booking request, after checking the available dates on the booking calendar.
Please contact us by e-mail, sharing your unclear points, specific interest and needs by e-mail.
03
Payment & Booking Authorization
Please arrange the payment by credit card within 3 days after the booking is pre-authorized.
Booking will be Authorized after the payment is completed.
02
E-mail communication & Pre-Authorization
We will discuss the unclear points, schedule, and specific requests by close e-mail communication.
After the date and other details of the experience is agreed, booking details will be pre-authorized with your consent.
04
Enjoy the whole experience in stress-free English
Our "Local Expert and Navigator" will fully asist you from the beginning to the end of the experience.
You will recieve full guidance and support throughout the entire experience in native-like English.
Enjoy the stress-free experience without the language barrier, that only Waka An can offer.
Local Expert and Navigator
Takayoshi Koyama ( Tea Master Name : Souki )
Qualifications :
・Certified Travel Service Provision Supervisor
・Urasenke Full time Instructor - Tea Master / Crest Permission
・All Japan Kyudo Federation - Kyudo Ni Dan (2nd degree)
・TOEIC Score 915 Level A
International Experience :
・Lived abroad approx. 20 years in 4 countries
・Visited more than 40 countries
Souki has been involved in international business for about 40 years with the motto “to be a bridge between Japan and overseas".
Souki is living in Kamakura to deepen his knowledge of Japanese culture, motivated by his longtime love of Japanese culture.
Souki launched Waka An with the desire that people from overseas will “Fall in Love” with Kamakura, through planning and hospitality that only a Japanese culture lover living in Kamakura can provide, fully utilizing his knowledge and abilities of :
・Communication skills with people from overseas
・Knowledge of Japanese art and culture through the Way of Tea ( Chanoyu )
・Deep knowledge of Kamakura and its surrounding area, which only Japanese culture and cuisine lover living in Kamakura can know.
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What languages are available for the experiences?All experiences are available in English.
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Do you arrange transportation to the place of the experience ?We do not arrange transportation. Please arrange your own transportation to the meeting point.
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Where will be the meeting point for the experience?You will find the meeting point in the confirmation e-mail you get after the booking is authorized.
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What time should I arrive at the meeting point?Please check the 'Experience Itinerary' section under 'Things to Know' on the specific experience page for the time you should arrive at the meeting point.
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What is included in the experience fee?Please check the 'Price' section under 'Things to Know' on the specific experience page for details on what is included in the fee.
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How can I request changes such as date and time of the experience?Changes to the schedule of the experience or number of guests are not allowed after the booking is authorized. Please cancel your reservation once and make another reservation.
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How can I cancel?Our cancellation policy allows for a full refund if you cancel your booking 7 days before the experience date. Please contact before 05:00 PM (JST). Please check the 'Cancellation policy' section under 'Things to Know' for details.
Experience on request
Contact for requesting special experience not listed in this website
Please write down the points below for the request
Your Full Name / Your E-mail Address / Specific content of the special experience you would like to request
or ask us anything
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Waka An will not be involved in any reservations or inquiries for the following recommendations.
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