Changes to Services Due to COVID-19

Hello, All, Well, it's been an odd seven months, hasn't it? Frightening, sad, stressful, confusing, frustrating... In Kamakura—and Japan in general—we've fared fairly well so far, but have been anguished to watch other countries deal with large outbreaks. Over the years, we've been lucky to have guests from all over the world stay with us, … Continue reading Changes to Services Due to COVID-19

Epic Kamakura Day Hike

Combine three trails into an epic day-long hike around the city

Summer in Kamakura

There's no denying it: Rainy season is over (something like 22 days earlier than average!), which means summer is here and it is hot. And humid. And it's going to last at least two months. Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way in a beach town — who wants cool, drizzly summers when … Continue reading Summer in Kamakura

A Guide to Kamakura’s Hydrangeas

This is an unofficial history, recounted to my husband by his kobudo teacher, who assures us that his memory is correct: ***** Once upon a time, some 40 or 50 years ago, the city of Kamakura had a problem: June — the rainy season in the area — saw tourist numbers plummet, and the much-needed … Continue reading A Guide to Kamakura’s Hydrangeas

Kannon-sama Pilgrimage: Jochi-ji and Tokei-ji

At the end of the Daibutsu-Kuzuharaoka hiking trail, in Kita-Kamakura, sits Jochi-ji, temple number 31 of the Kamakura Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. Not far down the road is Tokei-ji, temple number 32. In Japan, Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimages are fairly common. According to Kamakura City's webpage on its Kannon-sama pilgrimage, the first Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage — the … Continue reading Kannon-sama Pilgrimage: Jochi-ji and Tokei-ji

Hydrangea Train, Kamakura

In Kamakura, June means hydrangeas. Thousands of them. And the tourists just eat it up. One of the most popular spots to take photos is Goryo Jinja, because the always-photogenic Enoden Line train rattles by as it exits the tunnel between Gokuraku-ji and Saka-no-shita.

か is for Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

A great way to get to know Kamakura is to undertake the Kamakura 33 Kannon pilgrimage.