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
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
The best part about June? Fireflies.
Roses are red... and pink, yellow, orange and white at the Kamakura Bungakukan's Rose Festival
Amanawa Jinja, which enshrines Amaterasu, the sun goddess, is the oldest shrine in Kamakura.
Also known as Take-dera, meaning bamboo temple, Hokoku-ji was founded in 1334. It’s a bit of a hike from Kamakura station, but if you love bamboo groves, it’s a must. The main grounds are open for free wandering, but entrance to the bamboo grove requires payment of a small fee, as does a ticket for … Continue reading Fall in Kamakura: Hokoku-ji
We finally finished getting prices up on our Rakuten page, and within a day, the two rooms we have available were booked up for New Year's Eve and one of them booked up for the next two days. It's clear to me that Kamakura is the place to be for hatsumode (first shrine visit of … Continue reading New Year in Kamakura
Autumn adventures
鎌倉ペンション・Inn By The Sea Kamakura 