TOKYO

Today Pete and I went on a day trip to the town of Kamakura, which is a 90 minute train ride from Tokyo. It is a seaside town of temples and wooded hills. Above is one of the shrines in the National Historic Site of Meigetsu-in....a Buddhist Temple. 

All the gardeners everywhere in Japan seem to use these brooms...I think they do a good job getting the leaves out of the rock crevices....

On either side of these steps are hydrangeas ....it must look pretty when they are flowering.

Another little shrine....

A cave tomb, one of several that were commonly built in medieval Kamakura.

One of the very few old wells, of Kamakura that are still in use today...

Beautiful....

After our pleasant walk around the shrines and gardens we enjoyed a coffee and biscuit at this little cafe ....we sat out in the sunshine surrounded by greenery.

Walking along the main road into town from the train station...

Kencho-ji Temple...and home of the oldest Zen Monastery in Japan. It was founded in 1253.

This bell was cast in 1255, which has a Zen inscription by the temple's founder.

...one of the many buildings surrounding the temple...

The ceiling in the temple....

The Hojo building which is used for Buddhist memorial services, meditation and training.

And beautiful tranquil gardens...

The last shrine we visited was the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine....above are sake barrels which are sometimes on display at temples in Japan. They are an important part of Shinto ceremonies because they represent purity and connection between the people and the Gods. 

This path was down the middle of the main road in Kamakura.

At the end of the main road is the beach....so nice to see the ocean..

Kamakura is obviously a very popular summer holiday destination ...

One of Japan's most photographed sights, the Great Buddha Daibutsu. The bronze statue is a representation of Amida Buddha sitting in the lotus position of meditation. It was completed in 1252.

Before catching our train back to Tokyo we walked along this street hoping to find a snack that we would like....

...yummy deep fried squid cake...

Equally yummy deep fried shrimp and ginger cake...it is a Japanese thing that you eat outside the store where you bought your snack.

On our way home....note the guy with 2 phones...we have seen that often here in Japan.

Night lights and crowds....so Tokyo....

We have been having granola, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast most mornings...thank goodness for the camera on Google Translate....I wouldn't be able to find the yoghurt that I like in the supermarket without that App.