November 28 - My, What a Big Buddha You Have!
Kamakura, Yokohama, and a side trip to Akihabara.
28.11.2009
18 °C
Up bright and early again this morning - Rieko and family picked us up and it was off to see the Great Bronze Buddha, or Daibutsu in Kamakura. Along with Mt. Fuji, this is probably one of the most recognizable images of Japan. Kamakura itself had once been the city from which the first shogunal government had ruled (the Emperor remained in Kyoto) in the 12th and 13th centuries until a revolt against the Shogun returned power to the Emperor in Kyoto in 1333.
On our way over the bridge in Yokohama Bay
It took us about an hour to get from Tokyo to Kamakura. Once parked, a quick walk took us into the temple.
The Daibutsu is a statue of the Amida Buddha that was cast in 1292 out of bronze and weighs close to 850 tonnes. It was originally housed in a wooden temple, although this was washed away in a tsunami which occurred in 1495. Very impressive, and I was very happy to have a chance to see it!
A quick drive took us to a site associated with the other major Japanese religion - Shintoism. This was Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, a shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the God of War, and the guardian shrine of the Minamoto Clan .
More stairs to climb....
Barrels of Sake, brewed on site by the Shinto priests. They were big! (Really big - so big there was no chance Cindy could sneak one home in her carry-on).
The Shrine was founded in 1063, and relocated to this site in 1191.
The Ginko tree in the picture was the site where, according to legend, the tree in which a priest leapt out from behind to behead his uncle, the last Minamoto shogun, in 1219. While the priest was apprehended, the head was never found.
Off next to Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise aquarium and park. They had fish! Lots of them!
Sharks!
Lobster!
Dolphins!
We spent a couple of hours wandering around, viewing everything. Greatest disappointment - the Sea Otters were shy, and nowhere in sight.
Back into the car, and into Yokohama proper. Next destination was China town - the largest Chinese settlement in Japan.
The main gate into China town
A Chinese temple located in the heart of the district.
There was food (and people) everywhere...
Peking Duck, anyone?
It was getting late in the afternoon, and time to be getting back to Tokyo. Back into the car, and we were soon there...
After a quick recharge of the batteries, I was off to do some shopping in Akihabara, or the electronic/hobby/anime/....
district. Once again, Tokyo at night:
And then, after a very long day, it was home to eat and rest up for the next day. Good night, all!
