One of the best one-day trips from Tokyo is to Kamakura, which is about 60 minutes away from Tokyo station by rapid train. Kamakura was an ancient capital city in the 12th century, where a samurai general, Minamoto no Yoritomo, established the first samurai government in Japanese history. The town still has many places that show us the feelings and vibes of samurai qualities and Zen Buddhism. The most famous sites in the Kamakura area are the Great Buddha, Tsuruoka Hachimangu shrine, and, especially in June, the hydrangea in Hase Temple.
You may be overwhelmed by the Great Buddha, 11.3m high and 121 tons. It was built in 1252 in the Main Hall, but two strong typhoons in 1334 and 1339 and the great earthquake in 1498 devastated the Hall. According to some historical documents, the Great Buddha has sat outdoors since then. Some folklore says that the giant tsunami triggered by the great earthquake washed the Main Hall away, but the Buddha still sat there and looked like praying for victims to stay safe.
Tsuruoka Hachimangu shrine is the symbol of Kamakura and its history. The samurai general Minamoto no Yoritomo established it when he started governing Japan because Hachimangu enshrined a deity who brought victory and helped people avoid all types of disasters.
Hydrangeas in Hase Temple is also significantly famous among Japanese people, and that why people call Hase Temple Hydrangea Temple because of 40 species and 2,500 hydrangeas fully blooming. Every June many visitors sarge to the temple for the hydrangea viewing. So, then this year, 2024, the temple decided to issue special tickets to avoid any accident caused by heavy crowd. Please check the official site of the temple to understand how to get the tickets. You can find the English explanation that follows the Japanese one.
https://www.hasedera.jp/2024/05/15882/
While the aforementioned sites are undoubtedly captivating, I would also like to share my personal recommendations. Two small temples, Sugimoto Kanon and Houkoku-ji Temple, hold a special place in my heart, and I believe they will offer you a unique and memorable experience. I don’t think any explanations are necessary. Photos and videos tell you how beautiful and amazing the places are.
Sugimoto Kannon is famous for its calm garden and stairs covered with brilliant green moss. It is worth visiting even on a rainy day because the green color shines in the water drops.
Houkokuji Temple is my favorite temple in the world. It provides calm and sacred vibes while walking in the bamboo forests. I encountered Buddhists’ practice in the early morning. They marched quietly in the bamboo forests without any voice. Please see my video below.
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