Kamakura

After 2 consecutive weekends of rain, I finally got a sunny day and was able to go on a daytrip......Destination-Kamakura.

Quick history lesson...Kamakura was the capital of Japan from 1192-1333, a period where Japan was dominated by the military rule of successive samurai families, who governed the country from Kamakura. This period saw the spread of Buddhism throughout Japan, however there was also a widespread belief that history had entered a period of Buddhist decline. This led to the flourishing of several alternatives to established Buddhist doctrine, most notably, Zen and the Pure Land School of Buddhism. Kamakura is the home to about 70 Temples and Shrines, mostly Buddhist, Zen and Pure Land, that have survived through history so I could visit them today!....

...I met my friend Mie in Yokohama and we took the very slow and packed train to Kamakura. Along the way I got my first glimpse of a Japanese beach at Enoshima....it really made me want to get off the train and go for a swim! The waves seemed pretty good and were being utilised by at least 50 surfers. After a 40 min train ride, we arrived in Kamakura and went to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the most important Shrine in Kamakura. It was founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063, and enlarged and moved to its current site in 1180. This was a very impressive piece of Japanese history, emphasised by the Shrine standing high on a hill overlooking the long walk from the entrance. After a good look around it was off to see Kamakura's other main attraction - The Great Buddha.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha that is located on the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple. It was cast in 1252 and housed inside a great temple, but in 1498 a tidal wave swept away the temple, leaving the Great Buddha exposed to the elements as it sits today. The statue is very awesome because of its sheer size and detail (13.35 metres tall and 121 tonnes). Behind the Great Buddha on the temple grounds was a very serene temple surrounded by trees....it was a very peaceful feeling there compared with the daily hustle-bustle of city life! Unfortunately the early darkness cut our sightseeing short, but nevertheless it was an enjoyable day seeing some ancient Japanese history.

Pics, top-bottom: Me doing my Buddha impression; Great Buddha; Kotokuin Temple; Looking up at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu; Japanese Woman in traditional outfit; Mie and B at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.

Tomorrow I am going to the Tokyo Motor Show, so all you petrol heads check back soon for some awesome car pics!