Tired of skyscrapers and neons? How about trying slower pace environment for a change? Kamakura is a small town with plenty of shrines, woods and beaches conveniently located less then 1h train ride from Tokyo.
Kamakura is the birthplace of shogunate. In 12th century used to be the capital city. Since the town has old history there are plenty of old shrines (entrance fee is usually 200 yen) . It's also very touristy. Plenty of coffee shops and restaurants (quite expensive though. Bowl of noodles usually starts from 1300 yen (~11,5$).
What's there to see? Shrines, shrines, some more shrines, plus a hiking trail, huge Buddha statue and beaches.
What's there to see? Shrines, shrines, some more shrines, plus a hiking trail, huge Buddha statue and beaches.
Travelling tips:
- TRANSPORTATION – Board JR Shonan Line train (bound for Zushi) in either Shibuya or Shinjuku. There are roughly 2 trains per hour. It takes about 1h to get to Kamakura and one way ticket costs 920 yen (~8$). When you're boarding the train is best to ask if the train goes to Kamakura since not all trains departing from that platform are heading there.
- HIKING – if you're willing to hike a bit apart from sightseeing it would be best to get of the train at Kita-Kamakura station and walk to the Jochiji temple (there are signs posted in front of the train station). In the temple they have a map of this hiking trail. Behind this temple there is a beginning of Daibutsu Hiking Trail which in the end leads to Great Buddha Statue in Kamakura. Hiking takes from 60-90 minutes depending on your pace and weather. Be advised that after rain the train gets very slippery so it's best to have trekking boots and hiking pole with you in order not to fall.
From Great Buddha statue I takes another 20-30min to walk to the railway station.
- KUZUHARAOKA SHRINE – lies in the middle of the hiking trail. According the miko (shrine priestess) I asked there, the shrine is dedicate to the god of study, but most people come there to pray for love. You can see 'ema' (prayer tablets) in the shape of a heart. I saw quite a few girls praying by those tablets. Another interesting thing in the shrine is Masaruishi – a stone that's suppose get rid of evil and bad things from your life. You just take a small clay plate (fee 100 yen), pray over it to say the things you want to get rid of, and throw the plate toward the rock. According to local believe, smashing this little plate filled with your misfortune, will get you rid of it.
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