Spring in Japan blooms on trees, with ume (plum) in February and sakura (cherry) in late March being the most eagerly anticipated. Having grown up in Canada, I'm used to spring sprouting from the ground and up through the last of the snow in late March to early April, not bursting forth from trees in … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Ume Bloomin’
Photo of the Day: Waiting
A rickshaw driver (puller?) waits outside Hase station for the next train.
Photo of the Day: Bubble Buddha
The road to the Daibutsu at Kotoku-in is lined with souvenir shops, a few of which have large gum ball machines full of bouncy balls. These are no ordinary bouncy balls, however. No—these are Buddha balls (and Enoden train balls). Seems a bit sacrilegious to me, but that's just the way Kamakura rolls.
Photo of the Day: Tunnel Ho!
Just up the road from us is Gokuraku-ji, a small temple. In front of the temple is Gokuraku-ji station on the Enoden line. While mere mortals using their mortal feet must walk up a steep (but thankfully fairly short) road to reach both, the Enoden trains take a tunnel through one of Kamakura's many hills … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Tunnel Ho!
Photo of the Day: Magenta Dreams
Anyou-in practically glows during peak azalea season. I've never seen so many brilliantly coloured azalea in all my life—everywhere you look is pink. Azaleas bloom in late April/May, with the peak being a bit towards the middle/end of the month, give or take depending on weather. Some bloom later—as do the related rhododendron—so even into … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Magenta Dreams
Photo of the Day: Fish Bowl
One of my favourite things about Japan—fish everywhere. And not just to eat! Fish ponds, giant fish bowls, fish everything. My first winter, I worried they'd all freeze. And while some people bring their fish inside for the winter, a surprising number are just fine in their outdoor bowls. This makes our 3-year-old very happy. … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Fish Bowl
Photo of the Day: More Buddha
Considering that the Daibutsu is one of the major reasons people come to Kamakura, it should come as no surprise that it's probably going to make more than a few appearances. And here is appearance number two!
Photo of the Day: Baker’s Dozen
I feel a bit cheeky [I think that deserves an emoticon —> (>.<)] posting this photo, and not just because "a baker's dozen" is an exaggeration. This is another photo from last summer's mikoshi (float) battle festival on the Zaimokuza side of Yuigahama Beach. For those unfamiliar with Japanese festival culture, men often wear fundoshi, … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Baker’s Dozen
Photo of the Day: Flying Kites II
The good kind of kite this time 'round! I believe this photo is from around Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) in May of last year. Japan has a day for pretty much everyone, though how intensely they're celebrated varies wildly. There's a Girl's Day (Ohina Matsuri) on March 3rd. Families with daughters set out a … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Flying Kites II
Photo of the Day: Fortunes for Sale
Omikuji (fortunes) left at a temple (or shrine—I can't quite remember where this is). I've only ever bought one omikuji, and it was a pretty good one. Not all are good, though—some predict pretty rough patches ahead.
女性専用 - Inn By The Sea Kamakura - Women's Guesthouse 