THE HIDDEN CHARMS OF KAMAKURA
Flying to Japan is like buying the cheapest ticket to Mars. Yep, you can quote me on that one. From Shibuya to Ginza, everything about Tokyo seems as alien to the average “Gaijin” as the Martian plains were to Mark Whitney. Don’t get me wrong; I love Tokyo and wish every distant planet was as nice as this amazing metropolis.
The thing is, it can wear you down after a while.
Want to see how “real” Japan looks like?
The one with Cherry blossoms, old wooden houses, manicured Bonsai gardens and fishponds?
Leave Tokyo and travel 60Km south to Kamakura.
I was lucky enough to visit the place one early spring day 15 years ago accompanied by Suzy Okubo. Suzy is a fellow Israeli who came to Japan years ago, fell in love and never left.
Kamakura is an ancient, small town that once used to be the political center of medieval Japan. It contains many ancient shrines and features few of Japan’s most iconic images. Over the years Kamakura grew to become a center of Buddhism Zen. O is an amalgam of temples, gardens, and paths aimed at helping the visitor relax, unwind and meditate. Well said, and – being Japan – very well executed. I found it true to form. A welcome relief from a weeklong bombardment of flashing neon lights, back-to-back meetings, and never ending dinners.
Ye Olde Shrine
We took the whole day to navigate the paths and enjoy the fresh, wet air. Walking from one point of interest to the other, we came upon yet another charming and ancient wooden shrine (or perhaps it was a temple, I not the best at distinguishing between the two). Stepping over the gate and looking inside, we could almost imagine a reclusive Karate Zen master living inside, waiting for his next apprentice to show up. It was a cloudy, misty day, but as I adjusted my analog camera, the sun suddenly peered out of the overcast to light the front garden with soft afternoon light. A Cherry tree, just starting to show its fabulous blossom reflected the light, giving the frame an added sparkle. The contrast to the dark and sturdy construction was just too hard to ignore.
Or forget.
My favourite Japanese city is Kanazawa. It is the one place where not only the old city and the Kenrokuen Garden were enchanting, but the modern section had real character. In most places in Japan, modern architecture fits the “little boxes” description. Not here.