About Kamakura

Surrounded by mountains on three sides and looking out over Sagami Bay to the south, Kamakura City is characterized by its topography, with many slopes, valleys, and small hills. It is renowned for having historical cultural properties and for being one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations. However, the city’s geographical characteristics pose certain disaster risks.

Geographical Characteristics of Kamakura City

Kamakura City is divided into the central part of the city, including the area around Kamakura Station and Ofuna Station, the mountainous area, and the southern coastal area.

Areas Around JR Kamakura Station and Ofuna Station (City Center Areas)	JR Ofuna and Kamakura stations serve as terminal stations for those visiting Kamakura from outside the city or prefecture. They are expected to regularly have a high volume of passengers, including not only tourists but also commuters and students.
Mountainous Areas	Kamakura City has expanses of small hills and mountainous areas. There are numerous valley-like geographical features called “yato” where hills have eroded away, some of which are packed with residences. They have many narrow roads.
Coastal Areas	The southern side of Kamakura City facing Sagami Bay is dotted with sightseeing areas, such as Yuigahama and Shichirigahama. The national highway along the coast has heavy traffic even on weekdays and suffers from chronic congestion. Many areas are low-lying, making them vulnerable to tsunamis and storm surges.
Historical Topography	During the Kamakura period (1185–1333), mountains were carved and natural geographical features were used for defense and other purposes. As a result, some areas still have narrow roads and steep slopes.

Disasters anticipated based on the geographical location of Kamakura City

Earthquakes

Kamakura City is expected to suffer damage from various earthquakes, such as a huge Nankai Trough earthquake and an earthquake directly under the Tokyo metropolitan area (an earthquake directly under the southern part of central Tokyo, Taisho-type Kanto earthquake, etc.).

Impact on Kamakura City

Tsunamis	Facing Sagami Bay, Kamakura City may see a tsunami from the Nankai Trough Earthquake reach its shores within minutes. Coastal areas such as Yuigahama, Shichirigahama, and Koshigoe are at high risk of tsunami inundation. The city’s hazard maps indicate the areas expected to be affected by tsunami flooding. Waves exceeding 10 meters are forecast for some areas.
Strong Shaking	Although Kamakura City is considered to be distant from the anticipated epicenter of the Nankai Trough Earthquake, the local geology and topography are expected to trigger strong shaking. As a result, structures like older buildings, wooden buildings, and block walls are at risk of collapsing.
Landslides	Kamakura City has many mountainous areas and steep slopes, meaning there is a high likelihood of landslides and cliff collapses due to the shaking of earthquakes.

Eruption of Mt. Fuji and Other Mountains

Kamakura City itself is not a high-risk area for volcanic eruptions. However, if nearby volcanoes such as Mt. Fuji or Mt. Hakone erupt, the city may be affected by ashfall or other indirect effects.

Mt. Fuji	An eruption of Mt. Fuji, located west of Kamakura City, could have far-reaching consequences. The primary hazard is ashfall. Depending on the wind direction, volcanic ash is anticipated to reach Kamakura City.
Mt. Hakone	Located to the southwest of Kamakura City, Mt. Hakone is a relatively active volcano. The primary anticipated impact of its eruption is ashfall. Depending on the scale, volcanic ejecta and pyroclastic flows are also potential hazards.

Impact of Volcanic Eruptions

Ashfall	Volcanic ash is expected to cause health issues and transportation disruptions as well as impact essential infrastructure.
Possibility of Tsunamis	If Izu Oshima, Mt. Hakone, or other volcanoes near the sea erupt and cause large-scale landslides or changes in the seabed topography, tsunamis are probable.

About the sightseeing situation in Kamakura

Disaster Preparedness Challenges Arising from Overtourism

In Kamakura City, issues caused by “overtourism,” the concentration of tourists, are becoming apparent and are expected to pose unique risks from the perspective of disaster prevention.
Kamakura City attracts many tourists from Japan and abroad. The phenomenon of tourists concentrating at certain times of the day, in certain places, and during certain seasons is called “overtourism.
Crowding can easily cause confusion in the event of a disaster, and tourists in particular are not familiar with the area, making it difficult for them to take appropriate evacuation measures.
In order for visitors to enjoy a comfortable trip, Kamakura City recommends early morning sightseeing to diversify time and place, sightseeing in the evening and at night, traveling on foot, and promoting excursions based on new sightseeing themes such as Japanese heritage.

Congestion of Evacuation Routes	In the event of a disaster, evacuation routes will likely become congested in areas with particularly high tourist traffic, such as the area around Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the area around Hasedera Temple and the Great Buddha of Kamakura. The evacuation of tourists and residents may not proceed smoothly due to Kamakura’s many narrow roads and alleyways. Coastal sightseeing spots such as Yuigahama, Shichirigahama, and Inamuragasaki attract large numbers of tourists. This could make swift evacuations difficult in the event of a tsunami.
Transportation disruption	In the event of a disaster, tourists may attempt to leave by train or bus in a mass exodus, which can cause disruptions or shutdowns in transportation services. Visitors are advised to have the websites or apps of transportation providers accessible beforehand.
Strain on Infrastructure	The increase in tourists heightens the risk of shortages of water, food, and infrastructure such as restrooms in the event of a disaster. Aside from the Ofuna area, Kamakura has a limited number of large commercial facilities, and few facilities can provide temporary shelter from sudden downpours, strong winds, or other changes in the weather. Preparation is key to staying calm in an emergency, so make sure to check hazard maps and evacuation sites beforehand, carry essential items in a portable bag, and take other precautionary measures.