Kamakura was once the imperial capital of Japan. Just one hour from Tokyo. So off we went last weekend to goggle at the shrines and walk by the sea.
We took the Yoksuku.Soba Rapid Train on a lovely sunny Saturday morning, hired bikes, (that is Linda standing underneath the Tori of the Tsuragaoka Hachimangu shrine.) It must have been children’s day, all dressed up in their finery like so many butterflies.
Then a cycle ride along the sea front, low and behold, sailors. It is almost worth while traveling an hour and half to get my water fix. But there wasn’t any wind. Then on to the Kotokuin temple, housing the great Bhudda; very impressive, but also extraordinarily crowded. I haven’t worked out who the guy with the sandals was.
So we dumped the bikes and went for a hike along one of the ridge line hiking courses, (walking paths), to Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine, where we duly washed our money, (it apparently doubles in value) shrines are a curious mixture of god and mammon, but I suspect no different than Canterbury cathedral in the middle ages. Certainly no stalls within the temples, but plenty outside.
Back to it in Tokyo. Winter definitely on the way. the leaves have turned and there is sufficient morning chill to turn on the heaters.
I am getting two or three editing jobs a week, keeping the brain cells busy. So far I’ve edited papers on aquaculture, mold infections brown bear foraging and turtle ecology. Its fun.