On Thursday, April 13, we set off for a four day, three night trip to Kamakura and thanks to Jody an additional surprise location (at least to me).
Our first stop was Hiachioji Station where we picked up our rail train to Kamakura. While waiting in the station we got a glimpse of Japanese adolescents on their way to school. Little professionals in the making and grouped together informally by sex.
Ruminations on Japanese Culture # 1: "The Japanese are NOT morning people" - Japanese commuters on their way to work.
Upon getting settled in our AIRBNB quarters in Kamakura, we ventured out for lunch. We stopped at a tradiional Japanese Restaurant, The Soba House, and had a rather LARGE lunch that ended up being our main meal of the day.
These were the appetizers. We were served ALL of them. And that was before the main course. Whew!
After lunch, we then walked down to the beach and saw the Pacific Ocean from an entirely new perspective (NOT the U.S. West Coast).
We then visited the Hasdera Temple in Kamakura. This is an ancient temple which is said to be founded before the Kamakura era (12th - 14th centuries). Juichimen-Kannon, the main object of worship, is 9.18 meters in height, which makes it one of the largest wooden statues of Kannon in Japan. The temple has an impressive view and beautiful flowers throughout the seasons.
These images are the city of Kamakura taken from high above the Hasedera Temple.
A staff gardener literally evening out the sand around the walkways and flower beds.
We love our Japanese cat shrine.
Beautiful Koi in one of the ponds.
Inside a cave filled with Japanese shrines.
And now we move on to THE GREAT BUDDHA, AKA, the Kotokuin Temple. Talk about impressive. It took my breath away when I saw the Buddha's sheer size. He is also known as Kamakura Daibutsu. The height is 11.31 meters and the weight is 121 tons. The construction of the bronze statue as it appears today dates from 1252. Kamakura Daibutsu is the only statue of Buddha in Kamakura that is designated as a national treasure. The whole statue was gilded and placed inside of Daibutsu-den or the Great Buddha hall when it was completed. It is now an outdoor Daibutsu because the Daibutsu-den building was destroyed by earthquakes and tsunamis.
After the Great Buddha and despite hurting feet from all the walking, we stopped at a kimono store and Jody found a fabulous komono which I purchased for her upcoming birthday. I think she looks beautiful in it. Tying the obi will be a challenge, but I'm sure we'll succeed.
Two beautiful young Japanese girls posed in their striking komonos at Jody's request.