The weather was really nice with a taste of spring.
Preparing the photos for the article I remembered that I went there also in November with my parents during their Japan travel. That time also was a good day for photography so I include here some of the November shots :
At the main Shinto shrine of Kamakura, Tsuruokahachimangu, many tourists (as always) could enjoyed a performance.
At Kamakura it is normal to see this bird of prey, there s a lot of them actually.
They are quite big ... well bigger than any bird I've had to see in Normandy ;-)
Detail of the temple.
This young woman is a Miko San, she works at the temple.
The bamboo garden is a nice place to have a rest, doing some meditation and having a macha, ceremony green tea served with some sweet.
Then it was the obligatory stop at the Daibutsu, the Big Buddha.
A monk praying at his feet.
The Big Buddha seems to have his own "air-con" in his back :)
The following pics have been taken last week.
Day one :
First we went to Kenchouji [Otera = Buddhist temple] where we can see an unusual skinny Buddha. The ceiling has been repainted in the last years.
Then my friend Doug guided us on a hike in Oohirayama. I could not believe that I waited 3 years before doing this. It is not a difficult walk and it is really a beautiful piece of nature. Perfect for refreshing the mind and getting ready for new challenges.
Yep, it is the Fuji San.
Make a Wish!
At the top there is a simple place to have some food and drinks.
Then it is time to go down.
Some students in their Base Ball uniform, nice place for a jog indeed.
Day two :
From Kamakura station we took the small and old-fashion train going to Enoshima. We stopped at Inamuragasaki.
Surfer on his way back home.
Our target this time was a restaurant : the Taverna Rondino.
A little bit pricey, but it really was worth it.
This is just the anti-pasti (yes it is an Italian cuisine restaurant).
Just walking around in the neighborhood after this good lunch.
We found this Antique shop in an old traditional house. Even an antique BMX and skate-boards! ;)
Back to the sea side, this is a view of Fuji San and Enoshima on the left.
It is an island, a little bit like the Mont Saint Michel in France... sort of.
An other tonbi.
Time for a rest at a café. The prices reminded of the French Rivera's cafés... not cool : 750 yen for a small hot chocolate :( #failure
Some window shopping at the Week-end House Alley.
Two bikes caught my attention : a beautiful bridgestone frame and an old school beach bike by Shwinn.
A restaurant to test next time ?... :
And almost suddenly it is sunset.
Surfers are still trying to catch a last wave in the dark. The area wants to look like a little Hawaii with many Surf shops/schools and Hawaiian cuisine restaurants. But when I look at the number of surfers at one spot, it reminds me of the rush hour on the train :/ Ganbare guys!!