There is something unexpectedly beautiful about arriving at Kamakura-Koko-Mae Station. The train slows beside the coast, the blue water of Sagami Bay appears beyond the tracks, and for a moment it feels as though you have stepped into a scene from a Japanese anime. For fans of Slam Dunk, that feeling is particularly strong. The … Read more
There is a moment at Hase-dera Temple when the reason for visiting becomes clear. After walking through the gardens and climbing towards the main temple buildings, the trees begin to open and the rooftops of Kamakura appear below. Beyond them lies the coastline, with Yuigahama Beach curving around the edge of Sagami Bay. It is … Read more
There are few sights in Japan quite like the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Sitting beneath the open sky, surrounded by trees and centuries of history, the enormous bronze figure has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the country’s medieval past. Known in Japanese as the Kamakura Daibutsu, the statue stands within Kotoku-in Temple … Read more
There are two very different ways to enjoy a train journey around Kamakura and Enoshima. One follows the coastline in traditional green-and-cream carriages, passing beaches, narrow streets and historic neighbourhoods. The other hangs beneath an elevated track, sweeping around curves and through the hills above the suburbs. Both are attractions in their own right, but … Read more