On Day 3 we set out to visit the Ōfuna Kannon Temple (大船観音寺 Ōfuna Kannonji) which was within sight and walking distance of our hotel in Ofuna. This is a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The outstanding feature of the temple is a 25 metres (82 ft), 1900-ton reinforced concrete statue of the bodhisattva Kannon. Construction of the Temple began in 1929 by the Sōtō school of Zen. The outline of the statue was complete by 1934 but work was suspended at the outbreak of the Pacific War. The Ofuna Kannon Society continued construction work in 1954 and the Temple was finally completed in 1960. The statue construction is that of sections of poured concrete and was performed entirely by hand. No concrete pump trucks were used. The surface of the statue is oft painted white. The statue itself contains a small museum and shrine and both are open for viewing. The Kannon incorporates stones from ground zero of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to commemorate those who died in the explosions of the atomic bombs. A fire originating from the atomic fires of Hiroshima burns in a mushroom-formed statue.
From the top we should see the Hotel Mets where we stayed while in Kamakura.
The remarks in the sign-in book are generally reflective of a culture in Japan that emphasizes peace and love.
Inside the statue where we found hundreds of little golden Buddhas.
Following our visit to the temple, we set off via monorail for Enoshima, a beach side resort and playground a short train distance from Ofuna.
I finally get to ride in a monorail.
Notice how the vehicles are stacked on top of one another. Interesting parking solution.
We arrive in Enoshima, a small island off the Shōnan coast of Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture. It’s known for the Enoshima Shrine, with statues honoring Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of music. It's also home to the Enospa hot springs and the 19th-century, English-style Samuel Cocking Garden with its Sea Candle lighthouse. The Iwaya Caves feature tidal pools and Buddhist statues. Popular mainland beaches overlook the island. And for all you Beach Boy/surfing fans, Shonan Beach IS the surfing capital of Japan. The sun rises slowly, coloring the sky and the majestic Mount Fuji with a faded orange tint. The ocean also rises, offering a group of surfers a ride to the sandy shores. It’s just another perfect day for the locals along Shonan Beach.Among surfers worldwide, Japan is not considered a must surf destination like Hawaii or Tahiti because its surf is small and inconsistent. But Japan is home to hundreds of miles of sandy beaches, and its coastline hides reefs, points and river mouths, enticing many surfers to test the waves off the Land of Rising Sun. And the most famous surf area is Shonan Beach, a 20-mile stretch from Oiso Beach to Hayama Beach in Kanagawa.
Located about an hour train ride from Tokyo, 10 miles from Yokosuka Naval Base, 15 miles from Camp Zama and Naval Air Facility Atsugi and 43 miles from Yokota Air Base, Shonan Beach is often featured in TV shows, songs and movies. The “capital of surfing” in Japan has its own laidback atmosphere, a mixture of California, Hawaii and a Japanese fishing village.
Located about an hour train ride from Tokyo, 10 miles from Yokosuka Naval Base, 15 miles from Camp Zama and Naval Air Facility Atsugi and 43 miles from Yokota Air Base, Shonan Beach is often featured in TV shows, songs and movies. The “capital of surfing” in Japan has its own laidback atmosphere, a mixture of California, Hawaii and a Japanese fishing village.
Don't ask me. ???? I don't have a clue.
From the top of the island's tower.
As I've said before, I don't like to eat anything that spares back at me.
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