Temples, Trains & the Coast of Kamakura

Bus, metro, monorail, driverless train, normal train, taxi… repeat 😂

Today was a FULL day of exploring.

With an early start we caught a local bus to the station, already feeling the morning rush beginning to build. From there we hopped on the Yamanote Line toward the city before changing to another line heading out towards the coast.

For a short time we experienced the classic Tokyo rush-hour squeeze… trains packed tight with commuters… but once we passed through the centre of Tokyo, most passengers disappeared and the train gradually emptied as we continued south.

The final part of the journey was by monorail, gliding above the streets until we arrived at the island of Enoshima.

> A Misty Mount Fuji

As we stepped off the monorail we suddenly noticed something in the distance.

Through the misty morning sky we could just make out the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Fuji.

The snow-covered peak blended softly into the clouds, but even from afar it was still an impressive sight.

Walking across the bridge to the island was also a welcome change from the intense heat of the past few days… the sea breeze felt wonderfully refreshing 😂

> Enoshima Shrine

At the base of the path leading up to Enoshima Shrine, we were greeted by a daunting staircase climbing up the hillside.

Luckily… there was an easier option.

An escalator 😂

Well technically three escalators, with short walks past small shops, monuments and viewpoints between each one.

At the shrine we washed our hands, dropped a few coins into the offering box and said a quiet prayer.

> The Descent (and Snacks)

On the way back down, however, there was no escalator option… only the stairs 😳

After all that effort we rewarded ourselves with a snack: a freshly made prawn cracker, huge and crispy and still warm.

Absolutely deserved after those steps 😅

> The Great Buddha

Next we hopped on a charming old tram-style train to visit Kotoku-in, home to the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura.

Standing over 13 metres tall, this bronze statue dates back to the 13th century and has survived both a tsunami and an earthquake.

Its original temple buildings weren’t quite so lucky — the statue now sits outdoors after the structures around it were destroyed.

I paid my respects with a bundle of incense while admiring the peaceful atmosphere around the statue.

And nearby I even spotted the first cherry blossoms beginning to appear 🌸

> Komachi Street

From there we wandered into Komachi Street, which is packed with little shops, snacks and souvenirs.

Yes… it’s a bit of a tourist trap.

And yes… it caught me 😂

There was a Studio Ghibli store that Alex had to practically drag me out of… with limited space and weight in the rucksack he did have a point 🙄

There was also a Miffy store.

Apparently I wasn’t even allowed inside that one.

Probably a wise decision.

> Curry Bread

Lunch came from a famous little shop called Giraffa.

Their specialty is curry bread, and it was incredible.

Hot fried bread filled with melting cheese at the bottom and topped with a mild curry, all wrapped in a crunchy fried bun.

Crispy, gooey and delicious… a perfect combination.

> Bamboo & Green Tea

Our final stop in Kamakura was Hokokuji Temple, known for its beautiful bamboo grove.

The peaceful garden was a perfect contrast to the busy streets earlier in the day.

We arrived just in time for a cup of green tea, sitting quietly while the breeze rustled through the tall bamboo leaves.

A wonderfully calm moment.

> To be continued…

Because the day wasn’t over.

Next came:

🍜 ramen in Yokohama
🚄 a ride on the Shinkansen
🎨 immersive art at TeamLab Planets

…and several more trains 😂Read more