あきやすみ １１ - 鎌倉

Aki yasumi pt. 11 - Kamakura (Autumn Vacation part 11 - Kamakura)

The last stage of our wonderful trip to Japan was spent in West Kamakura, in Hase (長谷). Rinko and I wanted to go back once more and connect with the very beautiful and peaceful land that was once the nation's capital city during the Kamakura Period, but which is now a surfer's and sightseer's paradise. We took the train from Shinjuku (新宿) to Fujisawa (藤沢) and rode the historical and lovely Enoden (江ノ電) train from there to Hase.

We spent a long time walking around and sitting at the site of Daibutsu (大仏), or the "Great Buddha of Kōtoku-in" (高徳院) (photo above). We spent a long time just basking in his calm serenity and tranquility. It was a very beautiful, sunny autumn day and the colourful autumn leaves surrounding him were soothing and delightful. It's a place I wouldn't mind just sitting for hours. We even saw a big, huge, loud-mouthed, irritating, arrogant American guy walking around, talking and laughing very loudly, disturbing the peaceful setting. We marveled at the fact that Buddha's unchanging tolerance and acceptance prevented his meditation from being disturbed. Of course, he is a 300-year-old statue, but there is no doubt that this is the way people are meant to exist. It's beautiful.

After spending some time with Daibutsu, we went out for some soba, and then walked to Hase-dera (長谷寺) with the magnificent and very large guilded wooden statue of Kannon that dates back to the 1st century. Gorgeous! We wandered around Hase-dera's beautiful grounds for a while and enjoyed the lovely views from high atop the hill where the temple is situated.

It was a very nice, relaxing and enjoyable day that seemed to be the perfect conclusion to a truly lovely time in Japan.