Home of the Shoguns in the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture has dozens of sites of historical and cultural importance. It is located about 1 hour from Tokyo by train, so is easy to visit some of the highlights such as the Daibutsu at Kotoku-in, Hase-dera, and Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu on a single day trip.
Kamakura City and sea
As well as famous shrines and temples, there are beaches and hiking trails for the outdoor enthusiast, excellent restaurants, and many shops featuring souvenirs, antiques, and local products. Train enthusiasts enjoy riding the Enoshima Electric Railway, which has one track for trains headed in both directions.
Daibutsu Buddha, Kamakura
The third Sunday in April is especially lively with the Kamakura Festival. Streets are crowded to the point where it is hard to walk, but the yabusame contest, which is horseback archery where riders in traditional clothing shoot at three different targets while riding a horse at a full gallop, is well worth the extra effort to see.
Yabusame
You can get to Kamakura several ways. From Tokyo, take the JR Yokosuka like from either JR Tokyo Station or JR Shinagawa Station.
For more information, the official city website is: http://guide.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/en/
Kamakura, Japan
Dankazura is a pedestrian path in the center of Wakamiya Oji street, lined with hundreds of cherry trees. During the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in the beginning and mid April, the trees form a spectacular tunnel of white blossoms
Hase Temple in Kamakura
photos by:
twicepix &
Indrik myneur,
malfet_,
joyced700,
ys*,
OiMax
