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Newer Page 888 of 1218 Older Full Trip Report
Japan Kamakura Beach Shrine Enoshima

27 October 2012

Trains and temples

Today I took a full day trip which took in 3 different cities linked by a tram in Kanagawa prefecture.
Fujiwara - a relatively large modern city
Enoshima - a beach side surfer town with an island linked by a causeway
Kamakura - a city full of temples and shrines.

I bought the Odakyu sightseeing ticket for about $14 which covers the one hour fast train each way to get there, then unlimited use of the tram in the area, great value I think.

I took a lot of photos, so I will try and tell amusing stories there instead.

Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - I got on the wrong train at first. But leapt off just in time. I assumed that the train which came to my platform 3 minutes before the departure time

I got on the wrong train at first. But leapt off just in time. I assumed that the train which came to my platform 3 minutes before the departure time would be the one I should be on. Of course 3 minutes is far too long for a train to remain at the terminating station, its not like the driver runs up the other end, Japan is far too efficient and has another driver waiting up the end of the platform so as not to waste any time at all.

The sign is all in Japanese in this otherwise very modern station which is owned by a department store (who owns all the stations and lines I am using today).


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - After transferring to the tram, which are very much like the Adelaide trams of old, my first stop was Enoshima. These birds were here to greet me. Hun

After transferring to the tram, which are very much like the Adelaide trams of old, my first stop was Enoshima. These birds were here to greet me. Hundreds of people took this same photo so why cant I?
The grandma that knitted their outfits must be very proud.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Looking away from the ocean, its a kind of fishing town, but as you will see its much more about surfing of every kind.

Looking away from the ocean, its a kind of fishing town, but as you will see its much more about surfing of every kind.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - I followed this marching recorder ensemble from the station to the sea. I have no idea why they think its a good instrument to learn. Be aware, as soo

I followed this marching recorder ensemble from the station to the sea. I have no idea why they think its a good instrument to learn. Be aware, as soon as you leave primary school you will never see a recorder again!


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - The causeway across to the island. Its sort of like Granite island near Victor Harbour in South Australia, only a lot more upmarket.

The causeway across to the island. Its sort of like Granite island near Victor Harbour in South Australia, only a lot more upmarket.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Once across the causeway theres the old village style street. Selling mainly things from the sea on sticks, and some kind of wafer thin sugar thing in

Once across the causeway theres the old village style street. Selling mainly things from the sea on sticks, and some kind of wafer thin sugar thing in sheets as big as A3 paper that people were lining up for ages to buy. It gets a swirly colored effect on it, ensuring that kids not only get a hit from pure sugar but the ADD causing multiple food colorings as well.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Towards the top of the hill you climb a lot of steps. But theres a pay escalator hidden in the hill to haul your fat lazy ass up there. Hence the step

Towards the top of the hill you climb a lot of steps. But theres a pay escalator hidden in the hill to haul your fat lazy ass up there. Hence the steps are relatively person free.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Once on the top the temple is unimpressive. There are many temples all over the island, and bells and statues. But I must be all templed out because t

Once on the top the temple is unimpressive. There are many temples all over the island, and bells and statues. But I must be all templed out because they didnt seem impressive to me.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Looking back at the mainland, apparently on a clear day mount fuji is very visible and towers over everything. Where the hell is it then? I looked and

Looking back at the mainland, apparently on a clear day mount fuji is very visible and towers over everything. Where the hell is it then? I looked and looked. I saw photos of it around the place, towering over the beaches. I think these are photoshops or taken with the hubble space telescope.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Once on the far side of the island you can look out at the pacific ocean, next stop pearl harbour. Then onto America! On the way here the train stoppe

Once on the far side of the island you can look out at the pacific ocean, next stop pearl harbour. Then onto America! On the way here the train stopped at a station called Yamato too.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - There are many statues around the place like this. I think they are fishing gods.

There are many statues around the place like this. I think they are fishing gods.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - The island also has literally hundreds of cats. And people love them. Theres photos of them with presumably the cats names printed on them stuck up al

The island also has literally hundreds of cats. And people love them. Theres photos of them with presumably the cats names printed on them stuck up all over the place, even on trees. They all seem well fed and pretty happy with themselves. This isnt the last cat photo today, and I took one yesterday, pressures on tomorrow!


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Back on the mainland, and look at these ridiculous surfers. They all have the gear, but theres no surf at all, yet they sit out there and hope. The wi

Back on the mainland, and look at these ridiculous surfers. They all have the gear, but theres no surf at all, yet they sit out there and hope. The windsurfers are having a slightly better time but theres not much wind either. The only guys really enjoying themselves were on jet skis. You can rent canoes and go all the way around the island too.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Tsunamis are a serious concern. Although I suspect the signs are all new!

Tsunamis are a serious concern. Although I suspect the signs are all new!


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - This is the tourist trap nightmare street in Kamakura. The place was crawling with Gaijan. Theres a JR station here so every white person with the tra

This is the tourist trap nightmare street in Kamakura. The place was crawling with Gaijan. Theres a JR station here so every white person with the train pass comes here. It is however a really nice place so its justified.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - The main street is full of day spas, galleries, boutiques. This is one of the great benefits of travelling alone. I bought a pepsi from a vending mach

The main street is full of day spas, galleries, boutiques. This is one of the great benefits of travelling alone. I bought a pepsi from a vending machine for $1. No handbags were purchased.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - The main shrine, whos name I forget, is also really touristy. I dont think these guys are real samurai and I also think their armour is made of plasti

The main shrine, whos name I forget, is also really touristy. I dont think these guys are real samurai and I also think their armour is made of plastic.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - The path to the shrine, inside the 'world heritage area' has many stalls selling crap. A bit surprising for Japan.

The path to the shrine, inside the 'world heritage area' has many stalls selling crap. A bit surprising for Japan.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Some more steps for me to run up 3 at a time. Once at the top you can pay some money to go in and pray. I didnt. And if I were religious I think I wou

Some more steps for me to run up 3 at a time. Once at the top you can pay some money to go in and pray. I didnt. And if I were religious I think I would find that offensive.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - The view back down and along the main street was impressive. But too bright to capture properly.

The view back down and along the main street was impressive. But too bright to capture properly.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - And then someone decided to get married here. 2 guys led the procession, playing recorders! So I was wrong earlier, it seems Japan has a market for we

And then someone decided to get married here. 2 guys led the procession, playing recorders! So I was wrong earlier, it seems Japan has a market for wedding recorderists.
I dont know how they managed it, but as the party approached the temple itself, a thousand or so pigeons took off simultaneously and flew directly down the path. This had people oohing and aahing, like it was somehow planned?
I dont know one way or the other. The risk of having everyone in the bridal party crapped on by a pigeon was high!


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Nearby and heres another cat. Only this one is on a leash and dressed up. I asked its crazy catwoman owner if I could take a photo, she was very proud

Nearby and heres another cat. Only this one is on a leash and dressed up. I asked its crazy catwoman owner if I could take a photo, she was very proud, but would not be in it herself. I asked if the cat likes walking around like this, and she said it does, much more so than in Tokyo where we came from today.
I asked how she got here? Train. So basically shes bought her cat all the way here on the train because it enjoys walking on a leash.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - I nearly forgot to take a photo of myself. Walking back to the tram stop along the back streets I found this abandoned temple. Theres so many of them

I nearly forgot to take a photo of myself. Walking back to the tram stop along the back streets I found this abandoned temple. Theres so many of them here I guess they lose interest in a few.


Japan-Kamakura-Beach-Shrine-Enoshima - Japan is really into halloween. Every house, shop, train etc. is dressed up in pumpkins and cobwebs and whatever. Perhaps Australia is the last place

Japan is really into halloween. Every house, shop, train etc. is dressed up in pumpkins and cobwebs and whatever. Perhaps Australia is the last place on earth that ignores it completely. In Kamakura someones decided to dress up the tram line thing that stops the tram from running off the end of the tracks.

Todays day trip was one of the best ever. In summer it would be a great place, theres a lot of beaches and it has a wealthy small town feel all along the many towns that sort of join together along the beach.
The tram runs along the beach front and I saw lots going on, including car boot sales, food markets, skateboarding competitions and hang gliding just to name a few. For the $15 price its a great day out, I could have spent a lot more time here.


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