Kamakura

Today was super fun—we woke up early and spent the day in Kamakura!

The train takes about an hour to get from Tokyo Station to Kamakura, so most of us dozed off on the train. We also have a new addition to our group—Isa!

Fresh off the train, we headed to the major Shinto shrine—Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It’s well known for the pigeons that roost there frequently and has a wonderful view. It was also there that I saw my first sakura ever!

Of course, I also visited the nearby Inari Shrine

Following that, we traipsed over to Kamakuragu Shrine—a shrine famous for its liondog heads. On the way there we stopped for lunch at a conbini, where I found a mysterious Pringles can.

Yep! It’s advertising the anime based on the Sterling North book, Rascal! Wow, I live only five minutes away from Edgerton, where the story talks place; what a small world!

Plum blossoms

Liondog head

We made our way to the ruins of Yofukuji temple, but unfortunately they were under construction.

So pictures of nature, instead!

So we made our way towards Sugimotodera—the oldest temple in Kamakura as well as the temple housing the 11-headed Kannon and the oldest Buddhist site in Kamakura!

 

Heading up the mountain, there was an old stone staircase, so worn through that it was blocked off as unsafe! It looked so pretty though, and the new meandering path led to an excellent look-out, so everything was fine!

Meandering Path

The lookout--I bet it looks awesome when the trees are in bloom

After looking at various Kannons, we decided to walk to Hase to see the giant Buddha. On the way, we stopped to taste a couple of local delicacies—murasaki-iwa ice cream (purple potato) and Hato Sable (cookies shaped like pigeons).

Murasaki-ito ice cream--It was delicious!

The packaging for the hato sable

We may or may not have also made a detour at a Ghibli store...

But I cannot confirm or deny anything...

There was a set of six Jizo (child-helping spirits/gods) that were stopped and took pictures of, as well.

And a bitty one too!

The Kamakura Daibutsu was awe-inspiring—it took my breath away. I’ve been studying Buddhist statues in my art history class and seeing one in person just blew my mind! And not only did I get to photograph the outside, but the inside as well!

I wanted to make a stop at Hasedera as well, but I got the map mixed around, so it had closed by the time we got there. Oh well…

By this time my knees had started to act up (gosh, I sound like an old woman!) so I bought a charm for strengthening legs at the Daibutsu and then we headed back to base.

For dinner we went to a cheap, but delicious, traditional Japanese bar—an izakaya. 

Edamame--salted soybeans

Sushi

Yakitori--grilled chicken

I cannot remember what these were called, but they were delicious!

Tomorrow we’re finally going to the Ghibli Museum—I’M SO EXCITED.  I have wanted to go there for about six years now.

Ghibli, here I come!!