Day 5: Kamakura

Kamakura is the perfect day trip for Tokyoites and tourists alike. It has many shrines and a 大仏 (daibutsu or giant Buddha) statue - the second largest made of bronze in Japan, in fact.

Once you arrive in Kamakura, you make a short walk to Hachimangu shrine either via Komachi-dori shopping street, or along the Dankazura. I recommend Komachi-dori because it's packed with little shops, of which many sell delicious street foods perfect for being on the go. It's easy to spot which is most popular. Just look for the shops with dozens of high school kids lined up in front. You can always walk the Dankazura on the way back.

If Komachi-dori wasn't enough, the Dankazura has it's own shops and food vendors selling everything from cotton candy to masks for children.


During my visit to Hachimangu, I was fortunate enough to witness a traditional/formal Shinto wedding. Here is the happy couple descending the stairs after the ceremony with a miko (priestess).


The shrine itself is atop a hill that's easy to get to via winding stairs where you're rewarded with a wonderful view of the Dankazura and torii. It was a little hazy that day, so my picture didn't turn out so well.

After the shrine, it's a short train ride (2 stops) via the Enoden line to Hase. The Enoden line uses rickety street car like trains with wooden floors. I feel sorry for the locals just trying to get home having to deal with the packed cars.

Once you arrive to Hase, it's a short walk to Hasedra (Buddhist temple) and to the Daibutsu. I didn't have much time, so I skipped Hasedra and headed straight for the Daibutsu which is well worth the 200 yen to get in.

There's pretty much nothing else to see here. The site is pretty small for housing something so gigantic. Basically, you pay your admission, walk through the gate and BAM: a huge Buddha. I wasn't prepared for how massive it actually is. I stopped in my tracks and let out an audible "whoa!".

The sun was setting at this point, so I decided to go check out Shichirigahama beach, which is a couple more stops down from Hase. The station itself is so quaint with its one small platform and a person taking your ticket instead of a machine. The beach is all of 2 blocks away from the station. This is where all the surfers hang out and motorcyclists like to cruise up and down the coastal highway.

The sidewalk is very narrow and is well used by joggers and cyclists, so it's best to find a beach access stairway and head there.

After wandering WAY too far from Shichirigahama, I wound up in Fujisawa and took the Tokaido line back to Tokyo station. JR is your friend. :) It's like the old saying "all roads lead to Rome".