Discovering Kamakura.

Last weekend we joined some friends for a hike in Kamakura, Japan (otherwise known as home of the Great Buddha).  But we couldn’t just go straight to the Big Man himself, we had to work for it.  The 'work'  was a 5-mile hike that started out at Kita-Kamakura station and ended at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine.

Here is our day.  I'm sorry for the long post - it was a long day!  Our friend used Japan Guide to plan the hike and I used it for all the information below.  If you are traveling to Japan, this is an incredible resource.  

Map credit (before the obnoxious orange line that I added).

Here we are - ready to hit the trail!  Shortly after taking this picture I realized that it would have been smart to bring water and snacks (something a real hiker would have clearly known)!

Our first stop was Tokeiji and Jochiji.  According to my guide book, Tokeiji used to be a women's refuge.  After serving three years as a nun at the refuge, a woman could officially be recognized as divorced.  Jochiji is the fourth most important Zen temple.

Next, we headed down the path towards Zeniarai Benten.  Here are a few stops along the way.

One of the stops was the Kuzuharagaoka Shrine.  Not only do you have beautiful views of the countryside, but you can make wishes and prayers for love or good luck, get rid of negative forces, and cleanse yourself.

Wooden hearts with the prayers and wishes of visitors.

Picture guides are always so helpful.

More prayers...

Apparently this will help you find your true love (already found mine;)).

For just a few yen, you can purchase a dish that is thrown against this rock and broken into little pieces.  The dish is the negative forces in your life and by breaking it on the rock you are overcoming these forces.  Plus it feels good to slam a little dish against a big rock (embarrassingly enough, it took me three tries to break my dish!)  

If you look closely (you have to stare at the picture for about 5 minutes), you can see Mt. Fuji.
Hint: It looks like a cloud.

 We also stopped at Genjiyama Park, where there is a statue to Minamoto Yoritomo.

When we arrived at the Zeniarai Benten Shrine we were eager to wash our money.  Evidently, if you wash your money in the shrine's spring, it will double.

I saw people doing this, so I did it.  I still don't know why.  I'm hoping it was for luck (or wealth).

Our next stop was the Great Buddha, but before we reached him, we saw the beach.

After another mile or so, we made it.  All that work was worth it.  To be in the presence of a statue that was built more than 750 years ago was incredible.  

After lunch we walked over to Tsurugaoka Hachimangi, Kamakura's most important shrine.

To cap off the day, we actually saw a wedding at the shrine.  This was the processional.  I believe that is traditional wedding attire.

So far, this has been my favorite adventure in Japan.  In just one afternoon we were able to take the train, hike the mountains, double our money, rid ourselves of negativity, and soak in hundreds of years of history.  I'd say that was quite a day!  

Until next time, love from Japan.