Kiyomizu Kannon-do

in

In the city of Ueno in northeast Tokyo, visitors can spend the day in Ueno park where a lot of really fun places to visit from temple remains, shrines, and the national museums of Japan. Designed after the famous Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, this hall used to be a part of the Kaneiji temple complex before it was burned down, and houses a statue of the Bodhisattva of Compasion, Kannon. The hall is much like its famous ancestor with a healthy wood structure and an open balcony where visitors can  turn towards the hall to pray to Kannon, and then turn 180 degrees and be faced with a beautiful view over the pond in Ueno park with more of the city beyond. 

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 7.

Sorry I don't have a photo. For some reason I never took one.

 

Engakuji (Kamakura Gozan #2)

in

Number two of the Kamakura Gozan (refer to Kenchôji for explanation), it was founded in 1292 by Hôjô Tokimune, the 8th Regent Lord of Japan. It was constructed to commemorate all the loses, both Japanese and Mongol, in the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281. 

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 9.

Engakuji is one of the most beautiful complexes I've been to. It's hidden up a small hill and embraced by great trees which keep it cool, shaded, and secluded from the rest of the world. The architecture is outstanding and the gardens are intimate and lush. A great place to go towards the end of the day with a setting sun's light filtering through tree leaves. 

If you walk over, you’ll likely be a little tired, but after visiting the temple, walk down the road a litte further and there’s a train station and cafe which should help make things a little more comfortable for you.

 

Kenchôji (Kamakura Gozan #1)

in

Kamakura is famous for two major things in Japanese history: the first warrior government and the first stronghold of Zen Buddhism. Kenchôji is the first of the Kamakura Gozan, the Five Zen Mountains of Buddhism in the city of Kamakura. As the first temple in Japan dedicated to Rinzai Zen practices, it holds a very important place in Japanese history and Buddhist culture. It was founded in 1253 by the fifth Regent Lord of Japan, Hôjô Tokiyori and led by head monk Lanxi Daolong from China. Because of this monumental significance in Zen history, the Ashikaga Shogunate of the 14th to 16th centuries founded the Gozan system to identify the top five most important Zen temples. Only Kamakura and Kyoto are home to their own five Gozan temples of Zen.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 10.

Kenchôji has something for everyone, but the fact that it was the first real temple to Zen Buddhism gives it a bit more of a push. The Kamakura period is my favorite time period in Japan so when I was there I was blown away at the thought that some of my favorite people in Japanese history walked the same paths as me, that we sat on some of the same mats, and prayed in the same halls. Kenchôji is a beautiful temple, but it lacks the level of lavishness which many other major complexes have. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful temple with exquisite woodwork. 

 

Kôtoku-in (Pavilion of the Great Buddha)

in

Many who have heard something about Japan have probably heard of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This bronze Amida Buddha is the second largest metal Buddha in Japan, falling short of the Daibutsu in Tôdaiji in Nara (pun intended). However, even though this statue is among the most famous in Japan, it is seated outdoors due to the original structure being damaged by typhoons and a tsunami. 

For the casual: 10. For the educated: 10. 

Really, why would you not go to the Kamakura Daibutsu? Sure it can get crowded in the tourist season and it isn't a very good idea to go inside in summer (because Japanese summers are way too hot), but it is so worth every yen of the 20 needed to enter. And if the weather is right, spend 20 yen to go inside. That's right, 20 yen. Hey, did I mention it only costs 20 yen to enter? The walk from Hase Eki (Hase Station) is packed with fun little shops, and the store managers are some of the most charming people. Have fun and take lots of pictures trying to copy his pose!!!!

Amida Buddha at Kôtoku-in.