Well, the rain is washing the snow away and I am still catching up on the Japan blogs. Seeing Japan as a tourist felt more like skimming the surface- which I tried to do a lot of. I definitely missed getting to know individuals more personally. The Japanese are so different from the Indians and yet they remain a facination for me. I know this is a country I will want to visit again. When I think of traveling more, I don't think of quick sightseeing trips- they seem too vague right now. Staying somewhere for a while - even the four weeks in Delhi - allows the newness and awe and fear to ripen into more in-depth views and talking to people living in the cities helps define them in a more "realistic" way. Realism takes time - something so few of us have available. I remember the Aussies and UK people being agast at our two week vacation policies and even more so that many many US workers don't even take vacation they will be paid for!
So, on to Thursday and Kamakura. Kamakura is a small town due south from Tokyo, accessable by rail (about one hour). It used to be the capital from 1192-1333. Today it has many many temples and gardens to see between Kita-Kamakura and Kamakura city proper. Again, easy to get lost! A bit west by train is the town and the attached island of Enoshima. Big draw are the potential sightings of Mt. Fuji either from the train or on the way to Enoshima. On the train, I did see Mt. Fuji- yeah!
After detraining in Kita-Kamakura, I followed the signs
to several of the temples. Some I just could not find- others required backtracking. They were large and small, all with amazing cemateries and gardens. Even with it being late fall/early winter the shapes and trees were gorgeous. I saw many wisteria platforms and could only imagine them full of purple blooms in the spring!
The picture at the beginning is of Hotei - God of Happiness - I rubbed his belly good and hard.
After four hours of temples (no I did not see them all...)I finally came into Kamakura proper. I ate another udon/soba lunch and got a ticket for the train to the Diabutsu and Enoshima Island.
The buddha was awesome - you can even go inside to see how it was made. The train to the Island was nice- first ocean water I have seen in 13 weeks. Clear and cool day made for great viewing.
The car and foot traffic bridge to Enoshima were a great walk. I walked up the hill and into another temple. By this time it was near sun set - so I had to see this place much more quickly than I wished.
On the way back, I stopped for octapus crackers -spicy - and some other treats.
I touched the Pacific near the pier and waited for the sunset. Mt. Fuji was a bit foggy but still visible. 
Many stopped to point and admire "Fuji-san" in it's glory. Back on the train I headed home to Tokyo. Of course, I found myself back in Shibuya - wrong train - but knew enough to get straightened around. I arrived back in Ginza about 7:30 - bone tired. I decided to get dinner and eat in my room - so I went to B2 of Matsuya Ginza and bought an assortment of meat on a stick, edamame salad, a bento bowel of fish and greens and a sweet. I retired to my room and had my feast - really glad for the rest.
The next day, Friday, I revisted the fish market and had a bowel of ahi and semi-fatty toro with rice and vegies. The usual fare for the people working the market is not fish - but a pork and noodle soup that is served in huge bowels....it smelled great but not first thing in the morning.
The train to Narita was quick and easy - I didn't get lost, but carrying/wheeling my bags was a bit strenuous on the steps.
Arriving in Narita I walked to my ryokan - quite different than the first and settled in. I went out for a late lunch and finally had unagi (eel).
It is quite pricey but in Narita, being outside of Tokyo, the prices were reasonable. Yum, adult and babies and the usual miso soup and tea and pickles. On the way back through town I saw the zodiac statues and took pictures of all 12.
After lunch, I headed for the one and only temple...it was quite huge with many buildings and an amazing garden with many trails and three ponds - koi of course~!
I stayed for several hours and then walked back to my room. Dinner was sushi in a small sushi bar- the salarymen (and women) don't get in til after 7 p.m. when the activity in the restaurants picks up. It was good fish and saki. I knew the traveling day was ahead and called it a night.
Up early, I departed with a fellow traveler - getting lost - got on the wrong way train, but making it to Narita Airport in plenty of time. Flight to Hong Kong was pleasant but we got in very close to departure for my LAX flight. It turned out that that flight was delayed two hours - I am glad they fixed the landing gear! This made us late into LAX - I missed the last flight into Seattle - snow and more snow...Cathay Pacific put me up in the Westin LAX - my first mattress and box spring combo - and a two-headed shower...they fed me too. Trying to do the time change (almost 17 hours difference from Tokyo), I was in bed early and slept well.
After much confusion and planning (the folks at Alaska/Horizon were awesome considering the number of people in various moods they had to deal with). I decided on very nice and got a flight home through Santa Rosa, CA (a bit north of San Francisco)...I chose this because if I got stuck again, I could stop and see Wine Country! No need. Arrived in Seattle at 12:30 - the snow was getting worse again, so Cliff and I hurried home.
Next up - reverse culture shock!
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