Jurojin, the shichifukujin of Myoryu-ji, is the god of wisdom and longevity.Considering that the man who stamped and signed our books at Myoryu-ji was the oldest we met along our trek, I think it's fair to say that Jurojin is doing his job. This Jurojin isn't the actual Jurojin - the temple's proper Jurojin is … Continue reading Myoryu-ji’s Lucky God
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
Break Time
A hike around town on a cold day requires a few stops for snacks and warming up. Last month, Kaede and I hiked around town gathering stamps in our goshuincho. It was fairly chilly, so we stopped at the cafe at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu. Kaede went with Jagarico (a kind of stick-shaped potato chip, that, !!!, … Continue reading Break Time
Hiking Prayers
I'm not sure if these are a kind of Jizo, because there's one boy and one girl, and I've never noticed a female Jizo before. But, they seem to be functioning as Jizo, so I guess they're something similar. They sit along the Kinubari Yama hiking trail that runs from near Sugimoto Dera to Kotsubo.
Welcome to Enoden
Not sure when this fellow popped up at the Enoden line's Kamakura Station for the first time, but it's another kawaii (cute) touch.
He Works Hard for his Money
It isn't easy being a rickshaw driver. Can you imagine trying to run a cart all over town with city buses blowing past you? I am amazed by these guys (and gals! Saw a female rickshaw driver just the other day).
Enoden Green
It may not be the flashiest of trains, but the Enoden is still pretty attractive for a large hunk of moving metal.By the by, that's Hisashi in the silver jacket through the middle-right window.
Sunday Morning Surfing
The best Sundays involve nice, gentle waves, and a bit of mist.
Hina Matsuri – What It’s All About
Hina Matsuri (the Doll Festival), AKA Momo-no-Sekku (the Peach Festival), AKA Girls' Day, is the day when Japanese families celebrate their daughters. I wrote about it a bit the other day in the Hina Matsuri Tsurushibina post, and I'll include the text at the bottom, too. These two dolls represent the emperor and empress at … Continue reading Hina Matsuri – What It’s All About
Hina Matsuri Tsurushibina
The Doll Festival (Hina Matsuri/Momo no Sekku/Girls' Day) is just around the corner (well, March 3), and families with daughters—and hotels like Hakone's Kowaki-en—are setting out their decorations. Families with daughters display a special set of dolls to bring happiness and health to their girls. The dolls represent the wedding procession of an emperor and … Continue reading Hina Matsuri Tsurushibina
女性専用 - Inn By The Sea Kamakura - Women's Guesthouse 