Kamakura was chosen as the seat for a new military government in 1192, and remained the political center of Japan until 1333. Located some 50 km (31 miles) from Tokyo in a picturesque bay on the Pacific Coast, it does not have a single skyscraper in its center.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Kamakura was chosen as the seat for a new military government in 1192, and remained the political center of Japan until 1333. Located some 50 km (31 miles) from Tokyo in a picturesque bay on the Pacific Coast, it does not have a single skyscraper in its center.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
A traditional Japanese house is made predominantly of natural materials with iron, concrete and glass kept to a minimum, and an obligatory backyard with a garden.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Gardening is a national pastime in Japan. There are gardens in backyards and at temples and shrines, and the Japanese lovingly tend them year round.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
The Japanese don’t fell century-old trees. They take good care of them. You can read their name and history on signs posted near them.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Tourists love to be photographed against this miracle – blossoming tulips in winter.
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© RIA Novosti . Sergey Vyhuholev
The main tourist attraction at Kamakura is the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) temple. The 13.35-meter high bronze statue of Amida Buddha, the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, was cast more than 750 years ago, in 1252.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
The Hasedera temple is a 15 minute walk from Daibutsu. It was built in the early 8th century, and visitors can walk inside to see Amida, a Buddha who promised rebirth.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Jizo Bodhisattva (Jizo Bosatsu), the patron of children, expectant mothers, firemen, travellers, pilgrims, and aborted/miscarried babies.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Jizo statuettes for unborn babies in the Hasedera temple.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Below the temple is a cave with 16 life-size statues, all female, the children (disciples) of Benzaiten, said to be incarnations of the various Buddhist deities who symbolize the crafts for which she is the patroness. Benzaiten is the goddess of music, poetry, learning, art, river goddess, protector of the nation, patron of children.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
There are over 60 temples and shrines in Kamakura, where visitors can get absolution from their sins by drinking holy water…
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
…or get assistance from the Gods by circling the gate twice and then bowing toward the temple.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
The prayer is more than mere chanting from a sutra; it is a plea for love, health and happiness.
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© RIA Novosti . Сергей Выхухолев
Japan’s most famous icon, Mount Fuji, can be seen from the Observation Lighthouse on the small island of Enoshima near Kamakura.
