Kamakura, Japan

Less than an hour from Tokyo is a coastal town called Kamakura.

Known as the Kyoto of  Eastern Japan, Kamakura is a tiny city and one of the popular destinations in Tokyo specially during the summer time. It has a dozen of temples, shrines and other historical monuments around the area. We went to two; the Daibutsu and Hasedera temples.

Noticed a number of surf shops along the way.


Got amazed by the nearby train station. Trains were literally hanging from those gigantic steel bars. Haha. Parang roller coaster ride lang.


Here's Paolo standing by the purification fountain at the entrance of Daibutsu Temple.

 
Throwback photo from January 2013 at Asakusa Temple.

It's quite normal to see purification fountains as well as incense burners outside temples. At the purification fountain, you need to fill the cup with water then rinse your hands. Some transfer water to their hands, rinse their mouth and spit the water out beside the fountain. Meanwhile, the locals light up incense burners to pray for their personal intentions or make a wish. They believe that the smoke also has healing powers and gets rid of all the negative vibes.

Amida Buddha, the Great Buddha of Kamakura Daibutsu Temple is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan with a height of 13.35 meters.

The status was built back in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. The temples were destroyed due to multiple typhoons so they just let the Buddha stand in open air since 1495.

There were a lot of visitors that day. Mostly students who travelled all the way from Osaka.


Here's me and my cousin Jay with his mom and the kid named Damien. She takes care of Damien once in a while when his parents are at work. ;)


We spotted another cherry blossom tree but this time with white flowers! :)


There are a lot of small restaurants in the area. I ordered a bowl of katsudon in the nearby resto on our way to Hasedera Temple, sarap ha! Busog!




The Hasadera Temple is built along the slope of a hill and features a garden filled with cherry blossom trees and koi ponds. I seriously had a moment of zen. Super peaceful. I can stay here all day long provided na walang snow. Hahaha.


The temples are found further up the slope that may be reached through a walking trail or by stairs. Here's a top view of the garden. Ganda di ba? ;)


The Kannon-do Hall. Photos aren't allowed but you'll find another statue of Amida Buddha made of wood and is 9.18 meters tall.


There's a small building standing in front of a restaurant called the Kyozo Sutra Archive. Inside you'll see a rinzo, it's a rotating book rack where they keep the important Buddhist sutras for the temple.


Few steps away from the temple is an area overlooking the Sagami Bay.

If you plan to visit Kamakura, I suggest you do so on a weekday when there's less traffic. :) Prepare ¥200-¥500 for temple entrances fees.