A great way to get to know Kamakura is to undertake the Kamakura 33 Kannon pilgrimage.
か is for Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage
す is for Sugimoto Dera
Dating to 734 CE, Sugimoto Dera is considered Kamakura's oldest temple — and it looks the part. The stairway going from the niomon to the hondo is uneven and moss-covered, and the grounds have an earthy, ancient feel to them. The primary object of worship at Sugimoto Dera is Kannon-sama. The temple is home to … Continue reading す is for Sugimoto Dera
くis for Kuzuharaoka Jinja
Kuzuharaoka Jinja (sometimes referred to as Kuzuharagaoka Shrine) owes its existence to the execution of Hino Toshimoto, a scholar famed for his poetry. Hino, a court official loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo, was twice caught plotting to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate. Though released the first time, he was found guilty and sentenced to death the second … Continue reading くis for Kuzuharaoka Jinja
け is for Kencho-ji
The biggest temple in Kamakura
Samurai Walking
Samurai like to take in the sights and sounds of Kamakura, too. These two are part of a tour guide/PR group called Iza. They take groups of tourists around town, all dressed up in old-school gear, and give them a rundown of the history of Kamakura. We've bumped into a group of them in the … Continue reading Samurai Walking
A Whole Lot of Yagura
Along the Kinubari Yama hiking trail is a spot called the Mandaradō Yagura. If I recall correctly, it is the largest concentration of yagura (burial caves) in Kamakura, with over 150 caves. Because it's such an important spot, it's fenced in, and only opens for a few weeks at a time throughout the year. Unfortunately, … Continue reading A Whole Lot of Yagura
When Discomfort Threatens to Overpower Culture
A few weeks ago, some pretty major news dropped: the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (they make maps) proposed a set of changes to its tourist maps. The goal is clarity–some of the current symbols are a bit confusing for those who have just arrived. For example, "H" stands for "hotel"–not "hospital" or "helipad", while an … Continue reading When Discomfort Threatens to Overpower Culture
Photo of the Day: The Gate at Jufuku-ji
Heading towards Kita-Kamakura from Kamakura Station, following the Yokosuka Line tracks out the west side of the station, are quite a few small shrines and temples that are somewhat off the beaten track. One of the bigger temples is Jufuku-ji. Now, you can't actually enter the temple area, but it's a nice, short walk up … Continue reading Photo of the Day: The Gate at Jufuku-ji
Photo of the Day: A Bit of History
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes—a brief seven years after becoming shogun (military ruler of Japan), Yoritomo Minamoto's reign ended. Yoritomo, first shogun of the Minamoto clan, router of myriad armies, the man who brought in a dual system of government (all-powerful shogun and symbol-only emperor) that lasted until the Meiji Restoration in 1868—700 years … Continue reading Photo of the Day: A Bit of History
Photo of the Day: Gentle Curves
Kosoku-ji isn't one of Kamakura's better-known temples, but it has a lot going for it. To begin with, it's got gardens. Huge, beautiful gardens. The plum trees just finished, but now the cherry and peach are in bloom, plus at least two or three other varieties of flowering trees. It's also got history. Okay—all the … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Gentle Curves
鎌倉ペンション・Inn By The Sea Kamakura 