Free Day
Today was my only free day for my entire trip. I would have loved to have gone to Hiroshima, but I was told that it was more than a four hour trip by Shinkasen (bullet train), so I decided to go to Kamakura instead. One of the best things about this trip are the people I am meeting. Everyone is so friendly. You can always count on someone to join, as you venture out to see the sights when you get freetime.
Today, the sun returned just in time for our only free day. Perfect timing because I went to Kamakura with three other delegates from Louisiana, Florida, and Kanasas. Kamakura is where the second largest Buddha in Japan can be found. When we arrived at the Kamakura station, we met four college students who give volunteer tours of the area. They were all really helpful and made our day trip all the more enjoyable.
Before our "guides" took us to see the giant Buddha, they showed us the Shinto Shrine. Before you go to the shrine you are supposed to purify yourself with the water provided at these fountains. The shrine was quite a sight to behold. The stairs leading to the shrine were really steep.
There were many weddings going on at the shrine.
There were also many families as well. These two girls were brought to the shrine by their parents. Japanese parents bring their children to the shrine when they are three and five years old for a ceremonial blessing.
Check out these giant kegs of sake meant for gifts to the Shinto dieties.
The giant Buddha was amazing. Read the information that explains the legend of the Buddha's significance.
To finish off our day, we went to Harajuku, where the youth of Tokyo like to hang out. This district is like nothing I've ever seen before. I will just say that the people there are quite "colorful," figuratively and literally. Not only did I see a giant green cell phone, but many interesting characters, ranging from a pink clad manga cross dressing dude, to countless girls dressed up like manga characters. It was the best people watching I have done in a long time.
Well, that's all for tonight. I'm riding the shinkansen to Kurashiki tomorrow.
Mr. S
Today, the sun returned just in time for our only free day. Perfect timing because I went to Kamakura with three other delegates from Louisiana, Florida, and Kanasas. Kamakura is where the second largest Buddha in Japan can be found. When we arrived at the Kamakura station, we met four college students who give volunteer tours of the area. They were all really helpful and made our day trip all the more enjoyable.
Before our "guides" took us to see the giant Buddha, they showed us the Shinto Shrine. Before you go to the shrine you are supposed to purify yourself with the water provided at these fountains. The shrine was quite a sight to behold. The stairs leading to the shrine were really steep.
There were many weddings going on at the shrine.
There were also many families as well. These two girls were brought to the shrine by their parents. Japanese parents bring their children to the shrine when they are three and five years old for a ceremonial blessing.
Check out these giant kegs of sake meant for gifts to the Shinto dieties.
The giant Buddha was amazing. Read the information that explains the legend of the Buddha's significance.
To finish off our day, we went to Harajuku, where the youth of Tokyo like to hang out. This district is like nothing I've ever seen before. I will just say that the people there are quite "colorful," figuratively and literally. Not only did I see a giant green cell phone, but many interesting characters, ranging from a pink clad manga cross dressing dude, to countless girls dressed up like manga characters. It was the best people watching I have done in a long time.
Well, that's all for tonight. I'm riding the shinkansen to Kurashiki tomorrow.
Mr. S
posted by Mr. S at 7:07 AM
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