Hase-dera temple in Kamakura-May 12

We just finished viewing the great buddha in Kamakura with our friends, Gina and Gary.  We had a long day and decided not to continue with our original plans to visit Enoshima.  Instead we thought we could stop at nearby Hasedera temple which was on the way back to the train station.  This was the first time Bill and I had visited this temple.  We only had 30 minutes before the temple grounds would be closed, but we decided to go anyways and pay the 300 yen admittance fee.  We were not disappointed.  The grounds are beautiful.  The temple houses Kannon-Bosatsu.  The statue is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan with a height of 30.1 feet.  It is made of camphor wood and is gilded in gold.  It has 11 heads, each of which represents a different phase in the search for enlightenment.

The temple grounds overlook the Kamakura bay.  In our future visits, we explored more of this beautiful place and I will post more information.

View of Kamakura bay

Hasa-dera Temple

Buddhist feet!

Bill and Gina

Pond

Gina

Gina in the bamboo grove

 

Kamakura Daibutsu (Buddha)

After leaving the shrine we strolled down Komachi street for shopping and food.  We then headed back to the train station to purchase our one day "train hopper" pass on the Enoden line.  We were off to see the big guy-the Kamakura Daibutsu!  I have already posted a blog about the buddha.  Please refer back to previous post.  This time, I decided that I wanted to go inside the buddha.  I could not convince Bill, Gary, or Gina to go with me.  Now if you know me...I am a bit claustrophobic.  But I mustered up the courage, paid the 20 yen fee and entered.  I had to climb a narrow curved staircase (you don't go all the way to the top).  It was dark, warm, and very crowded as traffic on the stairs was going both ways.  I snapped a few pictures and noticed coins were sitting in some of the crevices.  I have searched to try to find out what it means without success.

photo showing opening to head

inside information

inside information

There is a shaded area behind the buddha that includes a small shrine/temple, gift shop, and a place to rest and enjoy a Kamakura plum soda!

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura

The following day, May 12th, we took the train to Kamakura.  Our first stop was the largest and most popular shrine in Kamakura-Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.  I have blogged previously about the temple.  This time we again saw a wedding.

The wedding was held in the small building in front of the main shrine.

 

Musicians {no chicken dance here :-) }

A happy couple!

The main highlight of this visit was the beautiful peony garden.  For a 300 yen entrance fee we strolled through this beautiful area.

Look closely to see the bee in the center

It was so picturesque with the beautiful flowers and lovely white Japanese umbrellas.  The peony garden is also opened during January when the winter peony blooms.

Here's a few more photos of our time at the shrine.

The moss was beautiful

Gary and Gina

Gina at the purification font

Gina's good fortune

After reading your fortune, this is where you tie it to

Fish market, Shimbashi clock, Hama-Rikyu

What a full day we had on May 11th!  The 3 places we visited are all in one general area.  Bill and I have been to all of the places before and I have blogged about them.  I had trouble with my camera for a couple of days and most of the photos were "lost".  But Gina took some nice photos.  I won't do much explaining about these places since you can just search my blog for more information.
First stop was the fish market.  Again, we decided not to attend the tuna auction, but to explore the outer market and eat!

 

 Our brunch:

Gina enjoying her food.

Sorry, this photo won't rotate!

 After we finished our meal, we walked around some more and discovered the Namiyok Inari Shrine located on the outskirts of the outer market.  Namiyoke meas "protection from waves".  And Inari is the god of commercial prosperity and safe operations at sea.  It is the unofficial guardian shrine for the market place and traders.  It was built in 1657.

Namiyoke Inari Shrine

Namiyoke Inari Shrine

We then took a 15 minute stroll to watch the 12 pm performance of the Shimbashi clock (see previous blog).

After the almost 4 minute performance, we walked to Hama-Rikyu Garden.  The garden was not as impressive as when we visited with Pat and Gary 6 weeks earlier.  Not many plants were in bloom.
We did notice a cute young couple getting photos taken.  We asked and we think it was for an engagement photo.

Gary and Gina on top of Mt. Ochin at Hama-rikyu Garden

I found this photo on the internet of Mt. Ochin

 

  We had a terrific day, but enjoying a glass of wine with our feet elevated was wonderful at the end of the day!

Shibuya: Hachiko and dinner

Friends from Grand Rapids, Gary and Gina, arrived to our apartment on May 10th.  After a quick walk around our neighborhood, we went on to Shibuya to pick up Bill, Takako and Satomi for dinner.

There is a statue of a dog, Hachiko, located by the Shibuya station.  Please go to this Wikipedia link to read about the touching story of Hachiko and his owner.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D  The statue is a very common place for meeting up with people-"Meet you at Hatchiko!"  I have never passed Hachiko without seeing someone taking photos of him.

Gina and Gary by Hachiko statue

 You never know what you'll see while in Shibuya.  I believe this vehicle was advertising a new movie.

A couple of views of Shibuya.  Gina noticed the sign that had her name on it.

It's an interesting 10 minute walk to the Amway building.

Gina and Gary by the outside of the Amway building.

Bill and Joan

  We enjoyed a lovely dinner with Takako and Satomi taking over the ordering and serving.  Well done, girls!

Takako and Satomi

The meal was delicious!  It was dark and windy when we left the restaurant.  Shibuya has a whole different look at night.