A Walk at Kamakura.

We caught a series of trains to Kamakura, mostly because we keep getting lost in the stations and take the wrong trains. Lots of Japanese people try to help us, but even they end up arguing about which way to go!

Kamakura is an early political centre in mediaeval Japan, so there are numerous ancient buildings including shrines and temples. We followed the Ten-en trail from Kencho-Ji (temple) up and along the range to Zuisen Ji. We wandered around Kencho-Ji which is the oldest active Zen Buddhist temple and monastery in Japan. The grounds and buildings built in 1253 are still all in very good condition. They are surrounded by beautiful gardens and bamboo groves. To reach the start of the trail we had to climb lots of stone stairs up the range.
The walk was strenuous, but very peaceful. We were glad to get back on the train and rest on the return journey. On return to Asakusa we visited a favourite ramen restaurant and went home to crash.Read more