Zen temple Engakuji in Kamakura

Engakuji in North Kamakura, kanagawa , is one of the most important Zen Buddhist complex in Japan and is the number two of the Kamakura five mountain Zen temples, after Kencho-ji.
When Mongolian troops, commanded by Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan), the dominant force at the time and far more powerful than Japan, threatened to conquer the Japanese islands, the regent of Japan Tokimune Hojo relied on meditation and advice from his Zen master to decide on repelling the attack.
The Mongols attempted to invade in 1274 with a large fleet, only to lose the majority of the vessels to a timely typhoon during the attacks. A second attack in 1281, by a larger fleet, was also repelled by another typhoon. The invasion preventing typhoons were called kamikaze or “divine wind” (word now sadly associated with the WWII suicide pilots). In 1282 after the war, Tokimune ordered the construction of Engakuji to honor those of both sides who died in that war.




Located a few meters from the Kita-Kamamura station. As is common in Zen temples, the complex has two gates: Somon or Outer gate and Sanmon or Internal gate. Sanmon is an exceptional double-decked wooden gate, reconstructed in 1783.




Straight ahead, the next building is butsuden or main hall, the hall contains a Shaka Nyorai statue, and magnificent roof paintings.



To the left of the butusden is the senbutsujo with thatched roof built in 1699, and next to it, there is the beautiful Kojirin a hall for practicing Kendo.





The main path is lined with impressive views like the Miyokocho pond, and stone carving statues.





Further up the hill there is the Dai hojo, the head priest’s living quarters, with stone figures lining on the walls on the front courtyard and a small pond at the back. The quarters are also used for Zen meditation retirements.




Continuing up the road, there is the Butsunichi-an, the Zotoku-an and the Jutoku-an.




At the end of the path there is the Obai-an, a small thatched temple, with a beautiful courtyard.




On the way out do not forget to check the Keisho-an to the right side of the Somon, the hall is also used for practice of Japanese archery.



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Chinese Garden Shinshu-en at Daishi Koen

Surprisingly, Chinese gardens are not common in Japan, The Shinshu-en garden in Daishi Koen, Kawasaki city is one of the largest, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. Built in 1987 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the friendship agreement between Kawasaki and the Shenyang, the park has been modeled on the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties periods.



The park is surrounded by an outer wall of Chinese arquitecture, with a beautiful gate guarded by a pair of lions.


After the gate, there is a small square, common on Chinese gardens, with a set of stones in the middle, cut from the bed of the Taihu lake in Suzhou.



After the square, there is a beautiful pond and several pavilions with traditional roof decoration. Corridors connecting the pavilions run around the pond providing splendid views of the garden.


A colorful small tower pavilion on the highest point, oversees the garden.
The garden is a perfect side trip if you plan to visit the Daishi temple in Kawasaki, or just like to enjoy a Chinese garden.



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Hike at Nansawa forest park

The Nanasawa forest park at the east of the tanzawa mountains in Kanagawa prefecture,is a popular leisure area for residents of the Atusgi, although is no so well known outside the area.


The area counts with several hiking paths, but we decided to stay on the main road, as we did not have a guide or a proper map.



The mountains in the area were showing some of the autumn colors, not so impressive this year due to the extremely hot summer, but a great change from the usual city landscape. Unattended stands offer local products, you take what you need and leave the money in the jar.



Rock climbers practice on a small slope by the road before trying the more challenging Nameri-iwa.



Along the road is the Okama benzaiten, a tori in the small stream running along the path.



The best part of the walk was the small restaurant along the path, were you could catch your own food (conveniently located in a small pond in front of the restaurant), and eat it in the open terrace.


Although we did not venture in to the hiking trails, the park was full of pleasant surprises to provide a pleasant walk; I surely will visit again and try the hiking trails next time.


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Ito Hirofumi old villa in Kanazawa

After years of restoration, the old villa of the first Prime Minister of Japan Hirofumi Ito finally reopened to the public late last year. The renovated house provides a glimpse on the previous prime minister life and to the Meiji era houses.



The Prime Minister Ito built the house on 1898 in Kanazawa, a popular area for villas in the Meiji period, the place was visited by the emperor Taisho, crown prince at the time, and the crown prince of Korea.



The house with thatched roofs, tatami floors and sliding doors with scenic view to the beach has been designated as an important cultural property by the city of Yokohama.



The house layout has been changed after the renovation, and is now divided into three areas, facilities, visitors, and study/bedroom.


There is no entrance fee, so there is no excuse not to visit the villa when in the area.

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