Savvy Japan: Guide To Kamakura

Above, a visit to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2004, the first place G-TOUR visited in Japan after leaving Tokyo by bus was the ancient Japanese capital of Kamakura.

There, we visited the Daibutsu and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple.

Savvy Tokyo has posted a guide to Kamakua with lots of useful information.

They begin it with:

Some of the most breath-taking architecture, art, and ancient culture exists only a short train ride away from the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. What was once Japan's ancient capital has in many ways been frozen in time, waiting to be discovered. 

Head south out of Tokyo on the train and you’ll find yourself in Japan’s second largest by population city, Yokohama, within minutes. Head further south again and suddenly you’ll emerge into an ancient town of Buddhist temples, bronze statues, gardens, and ocean views. A trip to Kamakura is one of the best ways to spend a weekend away from the deafening roar of Tokyo life. Home to its very own bamboo groves and historic shrines, Kamakura is very much the Kyoto of the East, with as much charm and beauty as can be found in its more famous counterpart.

To read more, go here.