Kamakura!

After a great night rest at the hotel, we decided to take a daytrip to one of the most famous places near Tokyo—Kamakura. We had to take a bus first to a train station and then transfer onto JR train and stay on it for about 40 minutes. It was very easy.

January 9th was a public holiday in Japan, so Kamakura was crowded!! We met up with my Japanese friend, Maki and her daughter at the station. Maki had moved back to Yokohama although her husband had to stay behind in Hachinohe (near Misawa). Maki was kind enough to spend almost the entire day with us in Kamakura.

So what is so significant about Kamakura? In the 12th century, it was the place where feudal government was established. The fact that it is quite near to Tokyo (50 km south) and is full of historic sights makes Kamakura a great place for tourists to see more of traditional Japan.

We started with fresh sushi for lunch. That’s the place were we ate…I guess we were too busy eating and talking for taking pictures inside.

Then we headed over to the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine—one of the main attractions in Kamakura. This is Shinto shrine—therefore free entrance.

We had to climb 61 steps to reach  the main building.

My friend told us that on the first day of each year, people flock to famous shrines and temples. This one gets so crowded that it takes people an hour to walk up those stairs.

These arrows were sold all around shrines. They are talismans that ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

After visiting this temple, we took a pleasant uphill 15 minute walk to  Kencho-ji temple, which is considered to be the most important medieval Zen temple in the area. You have to pay to enter the grounds of this kind of temple.

We could look into one of the halls were monks used to be trained and meditated. Nowadays, monks live up the hill from the temple, at a quite isolated location.

All around I was seeing these rain chains. I am looking to buy one! But I couldn’t find them at any shops…they are these antique rain chains…beautiful…

On the way to our next destination we were caught in a traffic jam…well, not us, but all the cars that were driving next to us. One of them looked quite interesting

We had to walk through the shopping district again. Maki convinced me to try this delicious purple potato fritter. My new Japanese favorite snack—comforting and a little sweet.

After our walk and then a ten minute train ride, we arrived at another part of Kamakura. Probably the most famous spot of all—Great Buddha (Daibutsu).

Daibutsu is 11.3 m tall, weighs 121 tons, made of bronze. Originally he was built to stand inside a building, but a huge storm destroyed the building and its pillars centuries ago. All that was left were big stumps from where the pillars were standing. And Great Buddha is now considered a national treasure. 

At night he comes alive and walks around wearing these huge flip flops. I am not kidding either.

He kind of got his head cut off on this one—by Katya.

After Daibutsu, we had to make a decision on whether or not take a local train to an island off the coast of Kamakura and explore there or visit another temple. We were running out of time before the sun was starting to set, so we decided to stick to Kamakura mainland and go to Hase-Dera Temple. We followed this street.

Personally, this place was my favorite. I really liked the architecture, liked being able to walk through a beautiful Japanese garden and climb up the hill to see the picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean.

Here is an amazing view from the look out patio. It was beautiful! The picture doesn’t do it justice.

And we got to climb inside the Benten-kutsu Cave.The cave is dedicated to Benzaiten—a sea goddess and the only female among the  Seven Lucky Gods of Japan . Her shrines and temples are located near water, she is the patron of music, fine arts and good fortune. Inside the cave you can see Benzaiten and 16 children are chiseled out of the rock walls.  This is Katya in front of the entrance into the cave.

I really wish it were summer or spring when we visited Kamakura. This seems to be a place that would come alive with all the flowers blooming on the temple and shine grounds. I’d say it’s a must-see place while you are staying in Tokyo for several days.

I am a pro at abrupt endings. So here is another one.

We got home exhausted and hungry. Had dinner at our hotel again (my mom enjoyed having her endless salad bar).

Next morning my mom left on a bus to catch her flight from Narita back to Ukraine.  We all hope she had a relaxing visit with the kids.

Good night,

Lyana