Course E

Asahina Kiridoshi

This road was constructed by the Kamakura Shogunate to open the main road connecting Rokuura and Kamakura. Chisel marks can be seen on the deeply dug rock walls on both sides. The harbor at Rokuura was a natural barrier against wind and waves, and the Kamakura Shogunate used it as a logistics hub, so the traffic must have been heavy at that time. There seems to have been a teahouse on the pass, and even today, standing in the excavated space of the teahouse ruins, one can imagine the traffic of those days.

Course Outline

Difference in elevation: Relatively mild
Shoes: non-slip shoes This is a mountain path with a spring running through it.

Time

Dist.

Level

00:00 Jyuniso Shrine Bus stop

00:02 Kiridori Koshinzuka

(Kiridoshi Koshinzuka)
Paved road in residential area

00:10 water for washing one’s sword, cutting one’s teeth, etc.

(Tatchiaraimizu)
Paved road next to river

00:13 Saburo Falls

(Saburou no taki)
Wet mountain road

00:23 Important passage

Rocky mountain road covered with ferns

00:25 Kumano Shrine (Kumano) junction

Cedar forest and bush ginger colony path

00:35 Kumano Shrine

Cedar forest and bush ginger colony path

00:45 Kumano Shrine (Kumano) junction

Mountain road in cedar forest

00:50 Kogiridori

Mountain road between narrow cut walls

00:55 Asahina-side entrance

Paved road in residential area

01:00 Asahina bus stop

Course Highlights

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Kamakura played an important role in defense. However, a city where many people live needs to be connected to important points in various regions for logistics. An overland route was opened for this purpose.
The mountain was cut and developed into a series of cut roads known as the Kamakura Shichikuchi.
Kamegayatsuzaka”, “Keshozaka”, “Geifukujizaka”, “Daibutsu-kiridori”, “Gokurakuji-kiridori”, “Nagoe-kiridori”, “Asahina-kiridori”, which connect to the present Tokyo area and the Miura Peninsula, and Yokohama area.

The steepest of them all is the Asahina Kiridoshi Pass. The deeply carved rock surface, overgrown ferns, and the ruins of a teahouse from that time can be seen at the top of the pass.

Saburo Falls and Stone Monument ❹

This waterfall is named “Saburo Falls” after Saburo Asahina, a legendary strong warrior who cut through the “Asahina Kiridoshi” in a single night.

Stone monument contents
Asaina Kiridori is one of the seven exits of Kamakura and is a key point leading from Kamakura to Rokuura, and there are two types of kiridori: important kiridori and small kiridori.
According to local tradition, Asahina Saburo Yoshihide built the cut road overnight, hence the name Asaina. The Azuma Kagami states that it was decided to cut a road through Kamakura Rokuura in November of the first year of Ninji (1900 A.D. 1240), and that the pathway was started in April 1241.
It is written that regent Hojo Yasutoki entered the site to supervise the work, and many people gathered to carry earth and stones.

Important Street ❺, Small Cut Street ❽

The wall where the Buddha cliff was dug out of the teahouse ruins is at Daikidori, and the one from Kumano Shrine to Yokohama is at Kogiridori. Today, they are approximately 18 m and 16 m high, respectively. On the rock surface, traces of drinking from those days can be seen.
Yagura, the bone storage facilities of the time, are scattered along the kiridori.

Kumano Shrine ❼

Immediately after passing the important road, there is a signpost at the Kumano Shrine junction. It is believed that the Kumano Shrine was dedicated to the deity Kishu Kumano Sansha Daimyojin at the time of the cutting of the road.

In summer, the temple is known for its clusters of bush ginger, which attract many photographers. The grounds are also home to the rare Urashima grass.
Behind the shrine, a spring is boiling. There is an iron door on the rock face beside the stone pagoda, but there is a ladle inside to draw water.

Before the start

(one’s) whereabouts

Check the restroom

Please note that there are no restrooms along the course or near the start/finish points.

See Toshi’s Kamakura Hiking Map for detailed locations of restrooms.

Packed lunches and beverages

vending machine

There is not one in the middle of the course, but just one each at the start and finish of the course.
For information on nearby vending machines, see Toshi’s Kamakura Hiking Map

(The photo shows Vending Machine at the entrance on the Jujisho side.)

After the goal

Next course

From the Jujisho side exit, go to Mt.

I’m tired. I’m leaving.

breaking one’s journey

Enjoy Bamboo Temple and Matcha Tea

It is just right for calming down after a long day of hiking.
There is nothing better than enjoying sweet sweets and green powdered tea with a cool breeze blowing through the bamboo grove.

Hokokuji Temple
Google Map

鎌倉ハイキング完全ガイド

Course E

Asahina Kiridoshi