Kamakura — Witnessing The Ancient Majesty Of Japan

Less than an hour’s ride from the busy metropolis of Tokyo is the serene town of Kamakura. It was once the center of Japan’s exciting past, dominated by the military fervor and religious zeal of the shoguns and their followers.

Now, Kamakura continues to represent the proud heritage of its past as reflected in the many shrines and temples that can be found in the area.

It’s accessibility from Tokyo makes it a wonderful day-trip destination for visitors who want a short respite from the city’s neon lights and hectic humdrum. Moreover, Kamakura’s 84 Shinto Shrines and Buddhist temples are idyllic for those seeking a place of serenity and tranquility.

The Zen temple of Engaku-ji is one of the most visited temples in Kamakura. It is located on the northern fringes of the town. Built in 1282 by Buddhist monks, the temple is surrounded by towering trees and visitors are treated to an endless symphony of songs from the many birds who inhabit the area. Of historical note the temple is said to house a tooth of Buddha.

My personal favorite of all Zen temples in the area is the Hase-dera Temple located in western Kamakura. Nestled on the side of Mt. Kannon, the temple features a perfect setting to view Yuigahama Beach and Sugiyama Bay.

With its many artfully arranged gardens, Hase-dera is one of the most beautiful of all temples in the area. More than its physical beauty, the temple is significant to thousands of Buddhist pilgrims because it houses a religious relic showing the 11 stages of enlightenment – Japan’s tallest wooden sculpture that dates back to 721.

In stark contrast to the gentle and subdued design of Zen temples is the shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu. The shrine was built in 1180 to honor the god of war for guiding Yoritomo Minamoto to crush his competition and secure the shogunate for himself. It features conspicuous vermillion structures and imposing torii gates. It is also home to a lone ginkgo tree of massive proportions believed to be more than a thousand year old.

Not to be missed is Kamakura’s most famous figure, the Daibutsu or the Great Buddha that dates back to 1252. This bronze statue stands  44 feet tall and weighs 100 tons. Every 8th of April, the vicinity bears witness to a flood of pious pilgrims paying their respects to this icon of Buddhism. If you happen to be in the area, watch out for sachets of ama-cha or sweet tea distributed by monks. Ama-cha is believed to contain magical properties that confer good health to those who partake of it.

Spring is the perfect season to visit Kamakura, when the cherry blossoms are vibrantly blooming and the streets are buzzing with the excitement of festivities and celebrations. Visitors can join in the fun of parades and street dancing or just be eager spectators to re-enactments of the city’s colorful past.

Do not miss the dance performance entitled Shizuka-no-Mai, a re-telling of a beautiful but tragic love story of Princess Shizuka, believed to have transpired 800 years ago. An impressive display of skills in horseback archery known as yabusame is also something that visitors will find impressive and entertaining.