Today we headed down to Kamakura to see the Dai Butsu (big buddha) and the beach. We took JR train most of the way then transferred to the quaint Enoden train.
After walking up the hill with all the other tourists, we arrived:
And yes they still let people go inside (which my dad did as a GI), but we didn’t.
After that we headed to the beach, which I suspect Dad and fellow GI’s headed to for recreation. It’s not a soft sand beach, but it’s popular with surfers and sailboarders.
We found a “California” style 2nd floor bar/cafe with open windows and had lunch in the shade with a nice cool breeze off the ocean.
After this we headed back to Tokyo, and then I set off to take a photo to emulate one Dad took from a hospital I think he trained at.
This is sort of the best I could do to emulate Dad’s photo, not having access to the hospital of course, and with the overpass encroaching on the view. In Dad’s photo you can just see Asakusa station in the distance. Here, it’s lost among all the new buildings. Along the way, found this pagoda-style structure which I think Dad also has a photo of:
Lastly, one of the futuristic tourboats that ply the Sumida river.
Finally we’re travelling to Seoul for a short stay at a traditional Hanok b&b before I head home and my wife heads on to Vietnam.
Out and About 