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We had a holiday on Monday the 12th of October, so we headed down to Kamakura for a little temple hopping.
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After a tasty lunch of tempura rice bowls at Tenkin, a small Japanese restaurant near Kamakura Station, we took the bus out to Sugimoto Temple. Founded in 734 it is among the oldest temples in Kamakura, and is famous for the Kannon images enshrined within. Above is a guardian figure at the temple gate, below are the well worn steps to the main hall, no longer in use.
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The main hall of Sugimotodera.
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Jizo images near the main hall.
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The main hall of Sugimotodera.
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We next walked a few blocks through a quiet residential neighborhood at the bottom of a narrow valley to reach Hokokuji, a Rinzai Zen Temple founded in 1334. Along the way we followed a small creek with lots of koi fish.
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Hokokuji is best known for it's bamboo forest.
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The small forest contained only bamboo, which created a serene blue-tinted light.
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The bamboo was surprisingly tall, and the forest was nestled against a high cliff, lending a cozy feel to the area.
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Sculpture at the edge of the bamboo forest.
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The cultivated garden near the main hall of the temple.
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The main hall of Hokokuji.
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We continued our walk through the neighborhood to Jyomyoji, founded in 1188.
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A meditating cat, chillin' on the central steps of the Jyomyoji main hall.
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The garden at Jyomyoji.
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A neat variety of bamboo near the main hall of the temple.
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After Jyomyoji we took the bus back to Komachidori, the shopping street near Kamakura Station. We enjoyed some amazing creme brulee ice cream sundaes (topped with caramel flakes and placed atop fresh madelines) at Ovale on Wakamiyaoji to complete our perfect day of sightseeing before heading back home.
2 comments:
Lovely photos - wish I could see the sights myself.
Our of curiosity, if you were travelling on your own (as a woman) would you be comfortable? I'm under the impression that Japan is probably one of the only countries where women can reasonably be safe while on their own.
@PumpkinPie- Yes, Japan is an extremely safe country, and I feel completely safe when traveling on my own. Cash is still the most common way to pay for things, so many people walk around with large bills and don't feel hesitant to use them in very public places like subway stations, etc. I think the biggest problem women face is the occasional groper on the train, but there have been lots of public info. campaigns about this in the past few years, and most train lines have women only cars during rush hour, so the problem seems to be decreasing as of late.
I hope you can visit Japan sometime, it is a truly beautiful country!
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