Kamakura

  Kamakura, Japan
Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Continuing my quest to see a little bit of Japan outside of Tokyo, I spent today in the oceanside town of Kamakura. Kamakura is home to dozens of shrines and temples and the Great Buddha:



Before leaving for Kamakura, I met the guys for breakfast at the hotel buffet. Just before leaving dad's old friend Noburo showed up. I haven't seen Noburo since 1985. It was a little surreal. Per his recommendation, I caught the JR train at Shinjuku for Kita-kamakura - one stop before Kamakura itself. From the small train depot I started wandering, coming upon the Tokeiji Temple after a few minutes. This is the temple for divorced women - it eventually became a nunnery. I spent a lot of time exploring the temple's cemetery - very beautiful and interesting.

I followed a pass through the hills on my 2 km trek to Kamakura station. Along the way there were several interesting temples and shrines to stop at, although I didn't linger too long as my knee had been hurting since last night and I wanted to make sure it held up long enough to see the Giant Buddha and Hase Dera.

When I arrived at the Buddha it was just as awe inspiring as the guide books claimed. The statue survived a tsunami that swept away the temple that enclosed it. Which is even more amazing because the statue is hollow - I paid the 20Y to duck down the stairs into its belly (literally).

From the Buddha I went to Hase Dera, where I spent the majority of the afternoon. The temple was fascinating - filled with numerous buddhas, shrines to dead children, koi ponds and gardens. Most stunning was the famous Hase Kannon - a gigantic statue housed in the main temple.

After I couldn't handle any more stairs I ventured down to Yuigahama Beach. It was rather comical - there is barely any sand, it's pretty dirty, and apparently surfers surf on the 6 inch waves. I saw a windsurfer enjoying the water while I was there.

Once I got back to town I had a low key evening. Dad is still sick and stayed in, and I went for an amazing Teppen-yaki meal with Rudy, Ted and Dave. Now I have the sad task ahead of me of packing. I'll have until 1 pm tomorrow to enjoy Tokyo and then I have to catch the limousine bus for Narita. My time here has been far too short - I was just starting to feel very comfortable and confident here!