Kamakura

Travel Journal


Kamakura is a city (OK, town) located one hour south of Tokyo. It is a coastal town which once served as the center of government and culture during the Kamakura Period. In 1192 Shogun Minamoto Yoritomo established Kamakura as the center of his military government. It was the capital for about 100 years.

Kamakura has many temples and shrines and is home to many national treasures.

The most noticable memorial of this government is the statue of the Great Buddha built in 1252 by the Kamakura Bakufu (military government). The statue of the Great Buddha still stands today on the grounds of the Ktokuin Temple (Jodo sect). See the picture as it gives you perspective of its size. It stands 13.35 meters high and is made of bronze. You can even go in and see inside of the statue for a modest fee. 40 yen or some loose change???

As you enter the temple and walk toward the statue, one notices a sequence of large tree trunks. Well these are not tree trunks, rather they were once footings supporting the structure which once housed the statue. The building was washed away in a Tsunami in 1498. The statue did not move.

The statue is located in a peaceful temple. Sitting at one of the benches in the courtyard, you can see the squirrels running from branch to branch.

Kamakura is located near the Pacific Ocean, the towns near Kamakura is known for its fresh seafood including mussles.

Kamakura is also known for its arts and crafts community.

Check out this website.

http://www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/english/