MONDAY - KAMAKURA 
ENGAKU-JI

Japanese television is just weird. When I have traveled abroad before, I have usually been able to get some channel that broadcasts in English like CNN International or BBC World. The Hotel Kitcho only had Japanese networks.
Here is the weather forecast for Monday. I could never figure out what those numbers meant.
This morning news show has people in cartoon bird costumes. I can't imagine such a thing on Today or Good Morning America.
On the hill is that Suitengū shinto shrine we saw earlier. The little building on the corner is a police station.
I had to go to the Tokyo station to catch a train to Shinagawa and then down to Kamakura.
I was smart enough to remember my music and a newspaper this time, although the trip wasn't nearly as long.
This is the small train station at Kita-Kamakura.
Waking the streets here I really noticed the quiet. Quite a difference from the crowds and children from the day before.
Kamakura is a town full of temples and shrines, but particularly Buddhist temples. This one, Engaku-ji, is just yards away from the train station. It is the most important of the Zen Buddhist temples in Japan.
San-mon (Main Gate). It was rebuilt in the third year of the Tenmei Age (1783) by Priest Daiyu Kokushi.
Butsu-den (Worship Temple). The temple, dedicated to Hokan Shaka Nyorai, was rebuilt in the thirty-ninth year of Showa (1964).
This may be a residence of the grand poobah monk or something. It looks pretty nice. I wonder if they get cable.
Hakuroku-do (Cave of the White Deer). It is said that a herd of divine white deer appeared from this cave to attend the sermon of the founder on opening day of the temple.
I didn't note what these buildings are. They look nice, though.
I don't exactly know what this one is either. I think it may be Ohbai-in, the Branch Temple of Yellow Plums. Or it's something else.
I heard chanting from inside this complex. Somewhere back there is the Shari-den or Shrine of the Sacred Tooth, where a tooth from Buddha is kept.
Hyaku Kan-non (A Hundred Sculptures of Kan-non). The sculptures were enshrined by Sesso Sonja in the Edo Era and the Zen Master Kosen consolidated them in the Meiji Era.
Little pink blossoms for you and me.
I see dead Buddhists.
After climbing up the hill to get to the old bell, I noticed there was a nice view of the north part of town below.
Ohgane (Temple Bell). This is a national treasure, at least that's what all the signs say. It was donated in 1301 by Sadatoki Hojo for the welfare of Japan.
When you are thirsty, why not grab a bottle of Pocari Sweat? It's the best bottled sweat you can buy!

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