Our trip to Kamakura started on Monday (22.6), we took Shonan-Shinjuku line from Shinjuku and headed to Kamakura around midday in order to check in to our dormitory hostel around 15pm. The first day we explored places close to the hostel, which we didn't see last time. One of those places was Amanawashimei-jinja, which we found by accident. I have always thought that the temples that are more hidden from tourist maps and crowds are the prettiest ones. And I stand behing this statement. Amanawashimei shinto shrine is cozy, very pretty small shrine, definetly worth of a visit. The main shrine is placed within the forest on the hill. At the temple we also saw a torii-gate made from stone and started to follow that to the forest. It was quite a climb and I was wearing a white dress and sandals, but as usual curisioty won over this time too. The view from the hill was pretty. After the shrine we visited the beach. If this would have been Finland I would have thought that the see was sooo warm. But I guess living in Japan for half a year changes the idea of warm and cold, so I didn't swim (coward...).
Next day we took off around 9am and headed straight to the Kamakura train station and travelled only one stop back towards Tokyo to the Kita-Kamakura station. The plan was to walk the northern hiking route, Tenen hiking trail. Before getting to the strating point we visited one of the most important zen temples around Kamakura, Engaku-ji temple. For me everything was a little bit too grand, but there was some intresting sports at the temple area, like the off-boundaries small temple where they say the Buddhas tooth is kept. The trail itself begun behind Kenchou-ji temple complex. In order to reach the beginning of the hiking trail, hiker has to climb to the highest point of the temple area, I lost the count about the stairs pretty quickly. The trail itself was so beutiful. About 4 km long walk within the bright green forest was indeed calming and relaxing experience. It was also a good exercise, but within the beuty of the forest, you barely noticed it. After approximately 2 km walk there was an outdoor cafe next to the route. Ice cream sure did good and the break was well earned. At the end of the route we very pretty exhausted and Zuisenji-temple (the ending spot of the Tenen trail) gave us a nice spot to recharge batteries a little bit before walking couple of kilometers to the closest bus stop.
Wednesday was supposed to be the "easy day" between the hiking and biking trip. The original plan was to take off early at the morning in order to go to the Hasedera (Ajisai/Hydrogea temple) before everyone else would go there and then head to check the Enoshima. At Hasedera, there were very much less flowers than I had expected to
be, but the view over Kamakura and the sea was really pretty. But then becouse we ended up having way too much time in our hands after Hasedera, we did a little bit more climbing and finished the Gionyama hiking trail (only about 1,5 km). The Gionyama hiking course starts off behind small shinto shrine named Yakumoto which was absolutely one of the most beautiful little shrines I have ever seen. The course itself was very much different than Tenen course, staying much more at the same altitude and the forest around us was much more lighter too. Time by time we passed some building roofs, when houses were build all the way up to the hill.
After the hike we bought the afternoon tickets to Enoshima and I have to say, due to poor shoe decision, my feet hurt already before going to the island and it only got worse. ^^ Before going to Enshima I was told two different kind of opinions about it. The other group told that it was great and pretty place. The other group kept saying it wasn't worth of the time and everything was build mainly for tourists. Well, I always want to see everything by myself, so we headed to Enoshima and the truth is that it is somewhere in between the comments. Yes, it is a place primarly for tourists and lovebirds to go. Everything was kind of a made for tourists to buy souveniers or taste all weird kind of local treats (and on top of the hill the temples are sacred for lovers). Everything costs extra on the island and at those places (for example the garden on the top of the Island and the Sea Candle tower) are pretty empty from people. I had many times a feeling about being the only person in the whole place. But still it was a pretty island to sea and expecially the coast was nice finishing point for our day (we barely had energy to walk home though ^^).
The fourth day was the biking day. We took off before 8am in order to rent bikes as early as possible and take course towards the Jougashima (island about 30 km away from Kamakura). We had been planning the route earlier, but still the idea of biking among the cars was kind of scaring and the first tunnel really gave some chills, but we made it and after that the coast and changing scenery made the whole trip very memorable. Jogashima itself was pretty, there wasn't that many people and the amount of hawks that basically have taken the seagulls place around Kanagawa, was amazing. At the island there is two small light houses and pretty coast line. At the tip of the island there is also a park area. We spent some time collecting some seashells and eating lunch before the return trip. When we finally arrived 60 km later back to Kamakura around 18pm, the whole body was pretty tired, but the trip was definetly one of the best points of the trip. Anytime again!
Fifth day in it's own post~
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