Kosoku-ji, a small temple not far from Hasedera, has absolutely fantastic gardens.Even before you get to the gardens, though, there are absolutely fantastic cherry trees - and today, they were pretty much at their peak. I admit to setting this next shot up. Not at first, but I decided that the blossoms that were already … Continue reading Kosoku-ji Blossoms
Kamakura Blog 2020
Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Sakura
Today, we finally made it down to Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, the main shrine in Kamakura. It was actually a good thing it took us so long to make it down, though, as the cherry blossoms weren't quite at 100%. Maybe later this week... They were still pretty spectacular, though. Kamakura isn't really known for sakura—the city's … Continue reading Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Sakura
They Work Hard for Their Money II
Rain or shine.
Early Sakura
We visited Kosoku-ji, a small temple with amazing gardens just down the street from us, the other day, and were surprised to see a few cherry trees had already bloomed. Unfortunately, I only had my iPad mini on me, and the trees were rather far away, so the photos aren't as clear as I wish … Continue reading Early Sakura
End-of-season Wakame
I mentioned in a previous post that this year's wakame harvest has been poor. The ryōshi (fisher people) along our beach have managed to bring in a few days' worth of it, though. In this photo, you can see the wakame hanging from laundry clips to dry.
Yuigahama Love
We had a few days of gorgeous weather last week, and the beach was full of people. Kaede and I were collecting shells when we came across this heart of stones. I just now realized that Kaede's shadow made it into the shot—that wonderful stripey skirt must have caught my attention and kept it.
Myoryu-ji’s Lucky God
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.
女性専用 - Inn By The Sea Kamakura - Women's Guesthouse 