Destinations

Kamakura

"Kamakura is an enchanting town, scattered with temples and coloured with lush green wooded hills with a long sandy beach thrown in! All in all, an alluring place to spend time"

Alastair Donnelly - Director

Located by the sea, Kamakura is a haven of peace and quiet. The perfect place to escape the stresses of Tokyo where often the only sea visible is one of people, a stroll along the beach will revive the spirits and relax the mind. De facto cultural and political capital of Japan from 1192 until its bloody and violent razing of 1333, Kamakura is a treasure trove of eccentric temples and interesting shrines.

The most famous and revered sight at Kamakura is the big Buddha who meditates calmly, framed by trees and groups of camera clicking tourists. He has survived fire, floods, tidal waves, typhoons and even the great earthquake of 1923, so it is no surprise to hear that he is looking a little weather beaten nowadays. But still he sits casting his serene gaze over the surrounding hills, a figure of salvation.

Great though he is, the Buddha often overshadows some of Kamakura’s more unusual temples and sights of interest. The Tokei-ji temple in Northern Kamakura is better known as the divorce temple. In the days before women could apply to be separated from their husbands, they could seek refuge from domestic instability at the temple. After three years there, they were automatically granted a divorce.

Aside from marital problems, you will also find temples where the hand of lady luck, in this case the Goddess of Fortune, can help you double your money. If you wash your Japanese yen at the Zeniara Benten Shrine and spend it pretty quickly it will double its face value - apparently.

Another quirky little shrine is dedicated to the god of Harvest, Inari, who manifests himself as a fox. Located deep in the forest, an avenue of tori wind their way up a hillside to the main shrine. All the time the lonely pilgrim is watched by fox statues who peep out of the undergrowth…

Kamakura is a charming town and makes for a fabulous day trip from Tokyo or better still, an overnight stay.

Products featuring Kamakura...

Small Group Tour

Tokaido Trail

From the thrills of the high tech metropolis of Tokyo to the serenity of Zen gardens and hidden temples in Kyoto, this journey along the ancient route of the Tokaido highway is a fantastic introduction to Japan’s uniquely rich and vibrant culture.

9 Nights: £1550

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Small Group Tour

Essential Honshu

Honshu has everything that a trip to Japan should include; the bright lights and confusion of Tokyo; Osaka, Japan's fashion and culinary heartland; former capital cities Kyoto, Nara, and Kamakura all with a unique ambience of past and present; and the awe-inspiring peaks of the Japan Alps.

14 Nights: £2400

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