Solo day-tripped out of Tokyo to this old capital. Though it started to drizzle then rain, the weather doesn't seem to dampen the tourist's mood, me included
First thing, went to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Wishing blocks, 祈合格
A very nice stairway leading to a secluded part of the temple devoid of tourists
Rows of sake as offerings. On the bottom left we see some modern beer in that crates haha
And this is the shrine! Oldest one in Kamakura (which have almost a 100 shrines and temples). Also, shrines are usually from the Shinto (not quite a religion, more of a way of life), and temples are for Buddhists; but in Japan, they are kinda infused into one another, just like how Confuscianism is infused into Taoism and Biddhism in China
Then went on to my next site: a grave!
I was like, who is this person having so many people visit him yet with such a humble grave
Then I saw this; so he is technically the founder of Kamakura. Also, realize we can easily read those description in Japanese cos important words are usually in Kanji (ie Chinese characters)
Wandered abit more and then found the bus to go back to the train station where I met up with the free walking tour guide. And guess what, I was the only one! So Yoriko, the guide, brought me to the Kotoku-in to see him:
The big Buddha! He's hollow on the inside and we can actually go in to see the inside of him haha
Kids made these for my Big Bro, but I still think they're kinda too small
Yoriko also taught me the proper way of cleansing myself before entering any shrine/temple! She was also the one who explained the origin of the distinction between the Shinto and Buddhism, which are essentially mixed, but separated during the Meiji Restoration
Tour wasn't what it's like in Europe, but it was still informative enough. Yoriko ended by recommending me for a hiking course, and guess what, I obliged!
And so here I go, in my Flyknits and my fancy tourist clothes; good thin I brought spare
And this is what I see after 100m. This is on a rainy day, mind you.
And then halfway through I begin to doubt if I made the right decision...
It is obviously dangerous enough for them to need to put up barbed wires to deter animals from attacking us
But I persisted since I had nothing much to do (and I don't know how to get back to the train station at this point)
I was rewarded with nice stuff like the pretty and talk trees and some pretty views, but it was this that made it worth it:
A mysterious temple that needs to be passed through through a rock cave...
Went through this series of nice gates
And found out that people are literally "money laundering" here! It's a bank note in the basket and they are using the water to wash it. Apparently it brings good fortune to you! As a non-corrupt government scholar, of course I didn't do it. Hahaha
Look at how many people it attracted; seems like getting rich and making a fortune is international
On the other hand, I got myself my favourite drink! Been looking forward to it since I saw it when I touched down haha
Found this mini waterfall before I left and continued my hike!
I was attracted to this board all thanks to my previous summer mod, specifically the bird watching experience in Cambodia
Wandered around and found this. He's the guy whose tomb I've visited earlier: Yoritomo, with a whole garden devoid of tourist (cause it's too ulu), just for him.
Continued my hike into a small townish place; asked for directions with some basic Japanese and was met with a surprise response in English! This place is just so unpredictable haha. Saw a lot of young attractive men pulling trishaws also! Very different from what is expected (apparently they need a lot of stamina, which is true I guess)
Walking parallel to the railway track reminds me of the time in Europe backpacking :')
And then I reached this place: 3rd ranked Zen temple, Jufukuji. And it's so Zen I walked past it without noticing. Full of surprises right...
Really very surreal and surprisingly empty!
Walked forward and this is the boundary, really nice; can feel the Zen-ness
Saw a Kinokuniya which was not what I expected (it's a supermarket); sent out my postcard; got amused by how they have an all-directional pedestrian crossing even at a very small junction; and saw a very oddly out of placed European styled clock near the train station exit. Still have a few more photos but guess I'll stop here with the spams. Kamakura is really a nice place that deserves more than a day trip here! I feel like there's definitely still more that I want to and should see...
