Yokohama and Kamakura, Japan

 We finally arrived at our last port after almost six months on the ship. Yokohama Port is located about an hour drive from downtown Tokyo. It is the second largest city in Japan and is situated about 20 miles southwest of Tokyo. It has a beautifully clean and attractive harbor area. 

The beautiful view of Yokohama harbor from our cruise ship balcony.


 We had a day before our disembarkation, so took a trip to Kamakura, a lovely small seaside town located south of Yokohama. It is a very popular place to visit since it has an abundance of historic Buddhist temples and  Shinto Shrines. It was the political center in medieval Japan and was once the capital of Japan.

 

We saw several young women in traditional dress.


Kamakura even has hand pulled rickshaws for hire. 


The Kotuku-in Temple and the Great Buddha were built in 1252. It was originally housed in a building which was demolished in a Tsunami in the 1400's, and has been in the open air ever since. It used to be covered in gold leaf. It is 13 meters high.


The small temple behind the Great Buddha

Cherry blossoms beside the temple.

This is one of the gates to the Tsuroka Hachimanga Shinto Shrine which was built in 1063. 

This is a special family occasion, and the group was posing for a picture.

Cherry blossoms at the shrine.

A gate leading to the steps to the worship area of the shrine.

More cherry blossoms!

The steps leading to the main worship area of the shrine.

The grounds of the shrine are extensive.


Many girls rent traditional dress for the day to wear in Kamakura.


We drove along the very nice beach to leave Kamakura.

We have now left the ship and are staying Tokyo for a few days before our flight home. One more post from Tokyo, and then we'll be home!


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