The Great Buddha and Goddess of Mercy in Kamakura
The Great Buddha welcomes visitors who walk up the winding road to the shrine. Centuries ago the Japanese poetess Akiko Yosando wrote a poem after seeing the handsome features of this enormous Buddha who looks kindly and authoritatively down at admirers. There is also the majestic statue of the Goddess of Mercy. The Goddess is plated with gold and is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden filled with unusual seasonal specimens that are pleasing to the eye and a restorative to the mnd. From the high spot, one can overlook the city. Do not miss standing under the thousand year old Gingo tree that stands in a serene Shinto shrine.
Walking Tours in Kamakura
From the Kamakura train station, it is a short walk to the Hase Kannon Temple and then onto the Great Buddha and another stop at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
It is not difficult to get around in Kamakura. Visitors can arrange for a guide to take them around to see the different shrines. However, since there are many steep steps (but still not a very difficult climb and one can go at a leisurely pace) leading up to the shrines, it is recommended that tourists wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Richshaw Ride in Kamakura
Richshaw rides are available for those who want to view the sites from an unusual vantage point. Rickshaws are man pulled cart rides. A hood is attached to the rickshaw so it can be operational even in the rain. Cost for a rickshaw ride is approximately Y6.000. Each richshaw can be shared by two persons.
Richshaws take visitors from the Hase Kannon Temple area to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine,
Komachi Shopping District in Kamakura
The Komachi shopping district extends from Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine to Kamakura Station. There are two parallel historical routes including Komachi-Dori and Wakamiya-Dori streets where visitors can explore the restaurants and curio shops. Shopping purchases include souvenirs, pottery, antiques and delicious Japanese sweets.
Best Time to Visit KamakuraIn late June the walls of the city are a mass of blooming hydrangas in magnificent pastel colors of every variety so this is a good time to visit Kamakura. There will obviously be more tourists, but the crowds are polite and it will be possible to still experience the sites at a leisurely pace.
Be aware, however, that May to late June is also the rainy season so come prepared with a light rain jacket, umbrella and waterproof shoes.
A visit to Japan often beckons visitors to the more popular cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara that bustle with modern day life. Kamakura has much to offer tourists who would like to know more about the ancient history and religious heritage of this country. In Kamakura there is the novelty of walking along the quaint streets and an overpowering serenity standing at a magnificent shrine or looking at a tranquil Japanese garden
Marsha Temlock - Marsha A. Temlock, M.A. is the author of "Your Child's Divorce -- What to Expect ... What You Can Do" (Impact Publishers, Inc.), a ...
