 |
| The Diabutsu |
A few days ago, our whole Japan Study group escaped the Tokyo skyline and went to Kamakura. It's about an hour train ride out of Tokyo and absolutely filled to the brim with Shinto shrines and temples. We've seen lots of these shrines around Tokyo, but today was a bit different. While there were all of the usual facilities of a Shinto shrine, in Kamakura they are presented with a but more extravagence. Also, in a different area the have an enormous statue of Buddha called the Daibutsu (大仏) that was quite an impressive site to behold.
 |
| Inside the Diabutsu |
While seeing this giant statue of Buddha was cool itself, what was really fun was the group of elementary/middle school kids that we ran in to. According to my host mother, this area is a pretty standard field trip for Japanese students, and so throughout the day we saw roving hordes of kids wearing matching hats (maybe to mark which school they were, but honestly I'm not sure). At one point I just chatting with someone when one of our Japanese student guides came over a grabbed me. I was then placed in front of a small group of students and asked if I wouldn't mind answering some questions in English. Honestly, my first thought was "English? I can do English!", and of course I was happy to oblige. After the interview they excitedly said, "How about we take a picture!", and when a group of Japanese children asks you to take a picture, you don't say no. So a picture we took! (see below)
 |
| My interview crew in Kamakura |
At this point our large group split into smaller squadrons to pursue various other activities in the Kamakura-ish area. I choose to go with a group to Enoshima, a small island that was a quick train-and-walk away. That was probably the best decision I've made in Japan so far.
 |
| Shrine at Enoshima |
Enoshima (江島) is, without a doubt, the single most beautiful place on that I have ever been to. Granted, 20 years ain't that long to explore the various beauties of our planet, but it's absolutely spectacular. On one side of the island you can see a sprawling city, on another side a costal line, another side the open ocean, and on the other side is Mount Fuji. The island itself was beautiful as well, with ancient shrines and interesting shops lining the pathways. At the top of the island is a observatory/lighthouse called the Sea Candle which gives the best opportunity for spectacular panaromaic views.
 |
| View of the city from the Sea Candle |
After spending some time at the Sea Candle and wandering the island we made our way to the ocean shoreline. It also just so happened to be about the time for sunset. They might exists, but I don't know any words to appropriately describe how incredible it was to watch the sunset behind Mount Fuji. At the risk of sounding cheesy, it literally painted the sky a rainbow of orange and red, and I would have happily spent endless hours watching the day culminate in this spectacular close. There were some locals fishing on the shore as this happened, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to see something like this on a daily basis.
 |
| Sunset at Enoshima |
When at last the rumbling in our stomaches provided enough motivation for the group to head for dinner we walked up a short flight of stairs and ate the islands locally famous cuisine while overlooking the sunset. Could the day end on a better note?
Posts
