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Today's Adventure - Getting to Kamakura
Our "training" continues. Using multiple trains, to do some sight seeing.

Zushi to Kamakura
We have successfully traveled up, and down, our KEIKYU (K-Q) Line over the past few days.

Today's lesson, and our "First Quiz", is to figure out how to get someplace using more than one train line. This may involve two different stations, like today. Or sometimes different platforms or levels within a station complex.  An very important and necessary skill when traveling around Japan.

Today, we want to go to a place called KAMAKURA. It is a larger town (or smaller city) depending on how you look at it. It is about 20 minutes away. We will do some sight seeing.

We started out once again at Jimmuji (KK-52). We took the train to Zushi Station (KK-53).
We got off the train at Zushi. We left that station, and walked a short distance to another train station in Zushi also called Zushi Station. This station is operated by the JR Line (Japan Rail).

The JR station is a little larger, includes several lines that intersect, and has a bus station. We fumbled our way through the station. It was a little confusing because what felt like west, was actually east, because of the station orientation. We figured it out. The ride over to Kamakura took about 20 minutes or so.

Welcome to Kamakura
Two of our main objectives today are displayed in the Train station at Kamakura.

The first is a Shinto Shrine. The Tsurugaoka-Hachimango Shrine.

The second is a Buddhist Temple - The Great Buddha.

A well decorated underpass leads us from the train station to Komachi Street.

A Torii Gate ahead.

McD's has some prime locations.

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Komachi Street
Komachi Street is a long pedestrian street in Kamakura that has many shops, places to eat, and things to see. It is a very popular place to visit here.

We entered Komachi Street by walking under this Torii Gate.

Free samples help you decide what to buy.

There is apparently an organization.

A traditional, and still alternate way of getting around.

 

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Andy
We met an 81 year old Kamakura resident, and gentleman named Andy. He spoke English quite well. It turned out, he had worked in International Business for many years, traveling around the world.

Perhaps we looked lost, or maybe he just enjoyed meeting new people, but he stopped us on Komachi Street, and offered to help us get to where we wanted to go.

First he brought us down a little side street, away from all the bustle of Komachi Street, to what he called the Promenade. A beautiful walkway between two lanes of traffic. He gave us a few simple instructions and then sent us on our way.

Thank you (Arigato!) Andy.
 

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The Promenade
The Promenade in Kamakura is a long walkway between streets. It apparently looks amazing during the Cherry Blossm Season. Our first destination will be found at the other end.

First stop, was a little break at a coffee shop on the promenade.

At the end of the Promenade is this large Torii Gate.

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The Tsuragaoka-Hachimangu Shinto Shrine
Andy had put us on the Promenade for a reason.

The San-No Torii Gate welcomes visitors to the Tsuragaoka Hachimangu Shinto Shrine visible in the distance.

It is a beautiful approach to this ancient place.

The arched Taiko Bridge is close to the So-No Torii Gate. The shrine in the distance.

Many people walk this long approach to see this ancient shrine.

It appeared a wedding was taking place today.

It is customary to rinse your hands when entering this place.

Any excuse to play in water is fine with him.

The Junior Shrine

This old fellow guards the Grand Stairway.

The Grand Stairway was definitely built to last. 61 Steps to the Senior Shrine at the top.

Looking back to the Junior Shrine and Torii gate in the distance.

At the top of the Grand Stairway, is the Senior Shrine. It dates back 1000 years or more.

Watch your step. 61 Steps back down.
 

A special day for these folks.

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The Walk Back to Komachi Street
Komachi Street runs parallel to the Promenade. We made our way back to it to see what we missed.

Along the way, we saw a number of interesting things. This map with the red "You Are Here" box shows some of the many other Shrines and things to see in Kamakura.

An Egg Beater or a Cement Mixer? Either way, just the right size to get around town.
 

Fire Station - Shobo-dan
If we didn't know it was there, we would have easily missed it.

This is one of the many volunteer type (reserve) fire stations in Japan known as a "Shobo-dan."
These stations are primarily used during extreme emergencies and disasters, like earthquakes.
Many seem to have metal roll up type doors, sometimes painted to indicate it is a fire station.
This one had a helpful map painted on it. We are at the red "You Are Here box" between the Promenade (the dotted line down the street) and Komachi Street to the left.

Regular Fire Stations, typically staffed, are called "Shobosho."

Someone's home on a side street.

Back on Komachi Street
Back on Komachi Street and some of the fun things that can be purchased with your Yen.

The guy on the red scooter in the center is the mail carrier swiftly making his rounds.

Hmmm.... I'll be back for a few of these!  And I was!

You can get almost anything on Komachi Street.

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Across Town
Back down under the underpass to the Kamakura Station. We will take the Enoshima Electric Railroad a short distance across town to our next destination.

Enoshima Electric Railroad
The Enoshima Electric Railroad terminates here. It runs back towards the shore and along the beach. We only need to take it a short distance this time.

A quick little trip across town. It's getting hot and humid. Air conditioning on the train was refreshing.

A train crossing. As trains approach, there are very distinctive sounds that alert people, as gates come down, until conditions are safe for people to cross.

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Great Buddha Temple
The Great Buddha Temple (Kotoku-In) at Kamakura. A huge bronze statue of Buddha sitting here at this Buddhist Temple.

Another hand rinsing station, as we approach the Temple.

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Back to Ikego
It had gotten very hot and humid. We had accomplished our missions, so we made our way back to the train and Ikego.

Ikego FD
As we were approaching the Ikego Fire Station, we heard the alerting tones and saw the guys dressing for a call. We got to see E2-1 and E2-2 respond, almost across the street, for what appeared to be an AFA. Photo opp!

The Pierce engines look like apparatus back home. The difference is that the driver is on the right side of the truck, as is the pump panel.

A brief stop at the playground never hurts.

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Papa's Evening Walk to Zushi Fire Headquarters
Papa was feeling pretty comfortable with the train routine at this point. After an afternoon nap, we wandered off on our own, taking an early evening train ride back into Zushi.

We walked a little ways through town, past another shrine, to the Zushi Fire Headquarters.
The doors were open and it was a good chance to see the apparatus.

Zushi Fire Headquarters
Papa's first visit to the Zushi Fire Headquarters. A large, staffed fire station. "Shobo-sho"
Open doors. Lots of apparatus. Perfect!

A Pumper on the left and a Rescue truck.

The Zushi Ladder truck and a smaller reserve pumper.

A typical ambulance and some support vehicles.

A golf cart type vehicle used for fire prevention and events.

That was definitely worth the trip!  

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The Walk Back
Rather than take the train back, Papa chose to walk back from Zushi to Ikego.

The walk back took me through several neighborhoods. It with a great opportunity to see how and where people live. Fortunately it had cooled down a little as well after a long, hot, busy day.

And another Fire Station or two.
 

The occupant of this little home apparently likes bunnies in her garden.

"Shobo-sho" - Fire Station
The North Zushi Fire Station.

Zushi has 3 staffed "Shobo-sho" Fire Stations and several "Shobo-dan" unstaffed fire stations.
This Station was conveniently on the way back to Ikego.

Many homes, and structures in general, are interesting to look at.
I wonder what these places look like inside?

Shobo-dan
A little farther up the street, closer to the Jimmuji Train Station, is another "Shobo-dan."

The end of another day in Japan. What a great day!


 

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