Kamakura, a walk around temples and gardens

Kamakura is famous for its many temples, gardens, the beach as well as Great Buddha of Kotokuin. Being located only 60km away from Tokyo it is a common day trip from the capital, there are however a number of hotels and good restaurants making it a good destination to easily escape the hustle and bustle of one of the largest cities on the planet.



The Hasedera Temple in early spring - Kamakura, Japan

Spending a day in early spring walking around (mostly walking but also making use of the light railway that serves Kamakura and Enoshima, see details below), near to Kamakura is also the Odawara castle well worth a visit.

Below would be an outline of a good itinerary for a sunny day in Kamakura.

Hasedera (長谷寺) – a temple with a fantastic garden, home to the largest Kannon wooden statue in the Country, but also offering a great view over the city and the sea from its observation desk.



Entrance to Hasedera - Kamakura, Japan

The Hasedera Temple in early spring - Kamakura, Japan

Figurines and blossom at the Hasedera temple - Kamakura, Japan

On the grounds of Hasedera - Kamakura, Japan

Kotokuin (長谷寺) Great Buddha – at just above 13m in height this is one of the top three large buddha statues in Japan, it is also possible to walk inside the statue to experience first-hand the work put in to building the statue.

The Great Buddha is visible even outside the entrance - Kamakura, Japan

Kotokuin Great Buddha - Kamakura, Japan

Hokokuji (報国寺)- In the eastern parts of the town is this temple with another beautiful garden, in particular famous for its bamboo forest.

Bamboo forest on the grounds of Hokokuji - Kamakura, Japan

Blossoming tree - Kamakura, Japan

 Enoshima (江ノ島)– a small island and seaside town just a few minutes outside of Kamakura

Enoshima, Japan

The beach at Enoshima attracts many surfers - Enoshima, Japan

Odawara (小田原) – On my visit to Kamakura I arrived from Hakone meaning that I had to change train in Odawara which is provided an excellent opportunity to get a glimpse of the Odawara Castle. 

Odawara Castle - Japan

Public Transport in Kamakura

Kamakura is a very walking friendly city, the historical sites are no longer than 30min walk between them and traffic is organised and slow. There is however the Enoden line serving Kamakura with a number of stations en-route to Enoshima.

Walking around Kamakura - Japan

Waiting for the Enoden line train - Kamakura, Japan



Train between Kamakura and Enoshima, Enoden line - Japan

 

Hakone and Fukuzumiro – A Japanese fairy-tale getaway

On a 10-day trip to Tokyo during last spring during the weeks just before Sakura was starting I visited Hakone and the Fukuzumiro guesthouse.
Hakone is often considered one of the main travel destinations around the capital, given the views of Mount Fuji one can enjoy during a short daytrip out of the city. With that in mind visiting the area is advisable during weekdays outside of the main holiday season in order to avoid the largest crows.

The Hakone Shinto Shrine on lake Ashi - Japan, Hakone-machi



Hakone-machi, Japan

The Hakone Shinto Shrine on lake Ashi - Japan, Hakone-machi



The Hakone Shinto Shrine on lake Ashi - Japan, Hakone-machi

For the visitor who wants to spend a bit longer time in the area there are a number of recreational activities such as famous hot springs, hiking opportunities, museums and great natural scenery during all four seasons of the year.

View towards Mt. Fuji from the Hakone Ropeway on the way to Lake Ashi - Hakone-machi, Japan

During my trip here I stayed two nights, and the guest house of choice was Fukuzumiro, a rather expensive options but in hindsight money well spent as it provided me with some great memories and I had the possibility to experience a Japan that was pretty much aligned with my romantic dreams of small-town natural life in a time gone by. The hotel is a registered cultural property built in the late 19^th century, and they have proudly hosted a number of famous cultural influencers during their 100+ years of operations. (http://www.fukuzumi-ro.com/eng/about/about.html)

The guesthouse offers traditional Japanese hospitality in a historical setting, the offer is half board including breakfast and dinner (big meals with many various dishes) and they have their own hot spring baths, that can be shared with other guests but also one for private usage. (http://www.fukuzumi-ro.com/eng/bath/bath.html)

Below would be my impressions from Hakone during early spring of 2018, and the guesthouse in particular as it is a sight and experience in itself.

From Tokyo one may travel directly to Hakone from Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu line for just a little above 1000 yen per ticket. There is a more "fancy" train available on certain departures, "Romance Car", which will cost a little less than the double of the standard train however gives reserved seating and panoramic views through the windows, see below video of the Romance Car pulling out from Tokyo towards Hakone.

 

 Upon arriving to the Hakone Yumoto Station the Fukuzumiro guesthouse is a short comfortable (depending on how heavy luggage one has) walk along the main road.

Arriving at Hakone Yumoto Station, Hakone-machi, Japan



Passing the river (Haya river) on the way towards the Fukuzumiro Guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan



Entrance to the Fukuzumiro Guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

Open space, Fukuzumiro Guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

Open space, Fukuzumiro Guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

Bed room in the Fukuzumiro guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

Guest room in the Fukuzumiro guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

Fukuzumiro guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan



Fukuzumiro guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

The biggest impression from this two night stay within a historical landmark in Hakone was not the comfortable and warm bedding, the soothing sounds of the river outside, the bird song in the morning of the impeccable service by the staff, nor the hot hot hot, hot springs, it was the WONDERFUL FOOD! With that in mind I am dedicating a fair bit of space below to some of the wonderful dishes that were prepared in house and served to the room, with regional and seasonal ingredients, perfectly laid out and just in the right amount of everything.

Dinner at Fukuzumiro Guesthouse, fresh crab, sukiyaki etc. - Hakone-machi, Japan

Dinner at Fukuzumiro Guesthouse, fresh sashimi - Hakone-machi, Japan



Dinner at Fukuzumiro Guesthouse, apetizers - Hakone-machi, Japan

Dinner at Fukuzumiro Guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan

And indeed, the Breakfast also lived up to the standard with grilled fish and warm soup at Fukuzumiro Guesthouse - Hakone-machi, Japan