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Kamakura is an ancient city dating from the 12th century. Blessed with many temples and an ocean setting, it is now a popular day trip only an hour from Tokyo. I begin my day at Kita Kamakura. The station itself is quite simple and small. A short walk away is the first temple - Engaku-ji.
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Satisfied, I decided to walk to the next temple, and with the sun shining, not take the train to the main Kamakura station.
Just off the main road is Meigetsuin, famous for its room with a circular window towards the garden.
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A grand approach with shops leads visitors into Kenchoji.
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Behind the main temples, fall foliage was still fully visible and without the crowds.
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Surprise, surprise! Mount Fuji is in the distance!
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Continuing my walk, I reached Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu's back entrance. Moved to this site in the 12th century, the shrine is now a tourist magnet, and lots of guards watching over your every move.
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Hokaiji
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Hongaku-ji seems to be under construction all the time.
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Myohon-ji is a hillside temple with even more foliage colours.
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Hasedera is a few set of stairs uphill. Lots of tourists come here now so they have built a ticketing centre to officially become a trap.
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The views of the town and the ocean are quite nice from up here.
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Kamakura is an easy day trip from Tokyo, so hordes of tourists make their way here everyday. The sights and shops are a bit touristy, but still look quite authentically Japanese.
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It was a bit cold to get into the water, but sunset along the coastline was beautiful.
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The sights are spread out but can be easily accessed by the Enoden Line, which is an attraction in itself as it snakes through tight neighbourhoods to the coast.
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