Welcome to Kamakura
Saturday in Kamakura
This Saturday, I had the pleasure of guiding Justine, visiting from France, and her lovely family on a 3-hour journey through the timeless beauty of Kamakura. We began at a serene Shinto shrine, where the soft sound of the wind in the trees set the tone for the day. From…
Wearing a kimono in Kamakura
Kamakura, ancienne capitale des shoguns, est l’une des villes les plus charmantes du Japon pour découvrir l’histoire et les traditions. Entre temples bouddhistes, sanctuaires shinto et petites ruelles bordées de boutiques, son atmosphère se prête parfaitement au port du kimono. Aujourd’hui, de nombreux visiteurs choisissent de louer un kimono pour…
On the Daibutsu Trail
Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of welcoming a wonderful group from Brittany, France, for a full day of exploration in Kamakura. We began our adventure in Kita-Kamakura, where the entrance to the Daibutsu Trail led us into a world of quiet forest paths and gentle birdsong
Komainu guardians
The komainu are among the most iconic statues in Japan’s religious landscape. Typically found in pairs, these protective creatures stand guard at the entrances of Shinto shrines but can also be seen at some Buddhist temples. Their primary role is to ward off evil spirits and protect sacred grounds, though…
Enoden line
The Enoshima Electric Railway, better known as the Enoden Line, is one of Japan’s small railway wonders. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of the vast Greater Tokyo metropolitan area, it connects the city of Fujisawa to Kamakura, the former capital and historic city, along the picturesque Shōnan Coast.
Hokoku-ji temple
Nestled in the hills to the east of Kamakura, Hokoku-ji is a modest Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple that has earned the affectionate nickname “the Bamboo Temple.” Behind its main hall lies its true treasure: a serene bamboo grove, where more than 2,000 towering stalks sway gently in the breeze. The…