My sister Cathy was visiting Japan for nearly a week, and we had a great time catching up in Tokyo while she was here. Unfortunately, she’s already gone home to Australia, but on Sunday, we had a really fun, although rather hot, summer’s day exploring a few sites in Kamakura, followed by Yokohama for dinner.
In Kamakura, we visited Hachimangu shrine, then Meigetsuin and Enshoji temples. The summer cicadas were chirping, but the greenery kept us a little cooler as we explored around. Meigetsuin is famous for its ajisai (hydrangeas) in May, but the gardens there were still very relaxing.
We arrived back at Yokohama at sunset, and walked through Minato Mirai with the lights starting to twinkle. We had dinner at a restaurant with crazy fluoro mini-jellyfish floating around in a tank – quite a modern contrast to the traditional places we visited in Kamakura.
Here’s a photoographic post of a well-spent summer’s day.
First, this is Hanchimangu, one of the main Shinto shrines in Kamakura.
All these sake barrels form a sort of “message from our sponsors”.
Up at the main shrine building, people had hung out their wishes and dreams. My favourite for the day was “日本で留学したい” (I want to go on exchange to Japan.) I hope that one comes true!
Nearby, people had posted their fortunes wishing that they come good. I assume these are only the good ones! This little girl posting her fortune is clearly the photo of the day.
The last of the lotus flowers were still out in the pond at the front of Hachimangu.
After catching the bus towadrs Kita-Kamakura, we walked up the road to Meigetsuin. It’s famous in May for the hydrangeas, but in summer, offered shade (and lots of cicadas) and some coolness.
Enshoji is next to Kita-Kamakura Station, and the lanterns were strung out for the bon odori fesival to be held that night.
This local was powering his way through the temple complex. His beard was fantastic, but I wasn’t bold enough to take his photo from the front.
At Yokohama, the sun was setting and the evening lights were coming out. This is the Nippon Maru sailing ship.
