Monday, April 8, 2019

A Day Trip to Kamakura - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Another shrine worth visiting in Kamakura is Hachimangu Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to the patron god of Minamoto family and of the samurai , Hachiman.

The shrine can be reached in two ways - one via Komachi-dori street- a shopping street and the other via Dankazura, a pedestrian path in the center of Wakamiya Oji Street. This path is lined with hundreds of sakura trees.

The a big red torii marks the entrance of the shrine.



There are two ponds and a garden.



The main hall sits a top of a wide stairway.At the base of the stairway stands the Maiden a stage for dance and musical performances.

There are food stall along the wide approach.







Dankazura- pathway lined with sakuras on both sides

Entrance: free; museum has small fee
Open 5am to 9pm

How to get to Hachimangu Shrine
15 minute walk from Kamakura station East Exit, passing through Komachi-dori street; turn right at the end of the shopping street and walk towards the huge torii gate.

You can get here after going to  Hasedera Temple and  Great Buddha

A Day Trip to Kamakura - Great Buddha

One of the must visits when in Kamakura is the bronze statue of Great Buddha in the temple of Kotokuin. The statue is standing in an open air as the temple buildings surrounding it were destroyed by typhoons and tsunami in the 14th and 15th century. It is walking distance from Hase station. There are lots of stores before reaching the temple grounds. It is a nice walk as you pass by  ice cream stores, eateries, souvenir shops. Just follow the crowd and the poster of Daibutsu and you will reach the temple.





How to get to Great Buddha


from Kamakura station, take Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden for short) bound for Fujisawa;  3 stops to Hase Station; temple is 10 minute walk from Hase station
 


Entrance fee: Y200 / adult

Before going to Kotokuin you can visit Hasedera Temple; you may click the link for some information
Hasedera temple

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Day Trip to Kamakura - Hasedera Temple

Kamakura is outside Tokyo and can be reached in about 1.5 hours by train.

Located in the coastal town of Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura has become a tourist destination. It offers several sights such as  temples, shrines and sand beaches.

The most visited places are  Hasedera Temple, Great Buddha, Hachimangu Shrine, Komachi Street.

Hasedera Temple is 5 minute walk from Hase Station. The temple gound is wide and has lots of trees, sakura, small bamboo garden and a viewing deck overlooking Kamakura beach.








It has a small food store which sells dango ( sweet sticky rice balls) and dumpling.


Spend an hour in this relaxing garden temple.

How to get to Hasedera Temple

take Yamanote line towards Ueno and stop at Shimbashi sta; transfer to Yokosuka line (JO) towards Kurihama , 11 stops to Kamakura Station then  take Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden for short) bound for Fujisawa;  3 stops to Hase Station; temple is 10 minute walk from Hase station

Entrance: Y300 / adult 

After Hasedera, you can go to Great Buddha; link Great Buddha