The beauty of a global event like the Olympic Games is that it gives you the chance to explore and Kamakura is a must on your adventure. Kamakura is a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture, less than an hour south of Tokyo. The town became the political centre of Japan when Minamoto Yoritomo chose it as the seat for his new military government in 1192.

After the decline of the Kamakura government in the 14th century and the establishment of its successor, the Muromachi government in Kyoto, Kamakura remained the political centre of Eastern Japan for some time before losing its position to other cities.

Today, Kamakura is a small city and a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In addition, Kamakura’s sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months.