Photo of the Day: Ohenro-san? Obo-san? Hatted Man in the Street

From statue to flesh and blood, a hatted figure two days running. So I don't *actually* know if this fellow is indeed a pilgrim (ohenro-san) or priest (obo-san). In fact, since he's not wearing white, he probably isn't a pilgrim. And judging by his footwear (woven from plastic rope), he's probably not a priest. But, … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Ohenro-san? Obo-san? Hatted Man in the Street

Photo of the Day: All Buttoned Up

Kamakura has a fair few whimsical, fantastical shops, but not a one has drawn my eye quite so curiously as the Fuji Button shop. Maybe it's the card stock button displays on the shop's outer walls. Maybe it's the promise of wonderful and fun notions inside for sewing projects I'll probably never finish. I'm not … Continue reading Photo of the Day: All Buttoned Up

Photo of the Day: Evening at Kamakura Station

It's easy to forget how different the most familiar places become at night. I rarely find myself outside Kamakura Station in the dark, so it was a nice change to walk home after getting back from work in the early evening the other day. At first, I kept my eyes on the prize—the grocery store—as … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Evening at Kamakura Station

Photo of the Day: Enoden

A trip to Kamakura isn't complete until you've hopped on board an Enoden Line train. Usually green, but sometimes purple (and maybe another colour or two from time to time), sometimes with wooden floors (but usually not), the Enoden line is, as mentioned in a previous post, a wonderfully quaint throwback to the olden days. … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Enoden

Photo of the Day: Roku Jizo

One of Kamakura's best-known spots, the Roku Jizo sit at an intersection along Yuigahama Dori. It's a busy place, but there they sit, taking it all in. When I head to work early in the morning, I often see a businessman stop, turn to the Jizo, and bow his head in prayer and greeting before … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Roku Jizo

Photo of the Day: Hase Station

Near and dear to my heart—since we live two to four minutes away, depending on whether you get caught by the train or not—Hase Station sits fourth on the Enoden Line from Kamakura to Fujisawa. As the bigger train stations on the busier lines get updated and re-built, it's nice to still have quaint little … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Hase Station

Photo of the Day: Torii Close-up

Red torii gates are the best torii gates as far as I'm concerned, and if they have kanji engraved on them, so much the better. This gate is from a small shrine just around the corner from where we live. We walk by the steep steps leading to it every day, but it wasn't until … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Torii Close-up

Photo of the Day: Windsurfing

Kamakura isn't just temples and shrines. Being surrounded by the ocean and thickly forested hills—the same reasons that made it a good, strong capital—make it a good, strong choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Those without equipment can rent and/or take lessons from various outfitters and water-sport schools in the area. Of course, not all activities require … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Windsurfing

Photo of the Day: Kamakura Station, Enoden Line

Clearly, I was playing around with filters with this photo. But I just couldn't capture the je ne sais quoi of the station with my iPad mini and unskilled hands. And filter apps are just way too much fun sometimes. As suggested by the title, this is the Enoden Line's Kamakura Station, taken towards JR's … Continue reading Photo of the Day: Kamakura Station, Enoden Line