Kamakura Photos
Japan Guide
The bronze Daibutsu, i.e. Big Buddha, Kamakura's leading attraction, constructed in 1252 and originally inside a building that was deleted by a tsunami in 1495.
Information: Japan Travel Guide | Japan Map | Kamakura Map
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Day trips out of Tokyo, Kamakura: unless you have organised a tour package - which is not a bad idea considering the complexity of Japanese transport systems - you will be jumping trains.
For example, Kamakura, on the coast and about an hour from Tokyo is one of Japan's oldest capitals but hardly even a city now), dating from the 12th - 14th centuries. This ancient and attractive town, though generally jammed with tourists, is scattered with more than 70 well-preserved Buddhist shrines and temples.
The Hasadera temple with a 9 metre statue of the Goddess of Mercy, a vast rotating prayer wheel, a prayer-cave network, a terrace overlooking the town and coastline and...
...thousands of little Jizo figures left in memory of deceased babies and children.
Getting to Kamakura: the most convenient line from Tokyo is JR (Japan Railways) Yokosuka
line, but there are others.
From both Kamakura and Kita (north)-Kamakura stations there are fine walks
around ancient buildings, through alleys and parks and up green hills, though do expect the usual pile of concrete monstrosities, plastic housing and overhead cables mixing it with Buddhist, Shinto and Zen delights.
Bicycles can also be rented from various locations, rickshaws too, for the affluent.
Another popular day trip out of Tokyo is an hour on the Odakyu line to Odawara castle.
Grandly styled, with imposing presence and home to a small, interesting museum of classic Japanese weaponry Odawara castle is hardly a must-see but could be the first stop of a busy day viewing the mountainous and scenic Hakone province, with views of Mt Fuji to boot. Odakyu rail stations sell a Hakone Free Pass for tourists which is good for all transport, including cable cars and boats across Ashinoko Lake.
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