[pinholecam] Japan 2014 -The lesser trodden path

[pinholecam]

Some shots of the people and things around Engakuji.


20141103-DSC04719-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20141103-DSC04721 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20141103-DSC04723-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20141103-DSC04724-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Engakuji Temple #7 -Main Hall side by jenkwang, on Flickr



Engakuji Temple #5 by jenkwang, on Flickr



Engakuji Temple #6 - Side Shrine by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Meigetsu-in, is also called Hydrangea Temple because of the Hydrangea that bloom in the temple.
Its also well known for the various flower blooms year round.
Unfortunately for me, even though its the 2nd time I have visited the temple, there was no flower bloom nor autumn colors.
Its was just too early for this part of Japan.
So for anyone planning a trip, perhaps try the 2nd week of Nov.

Nonetheless, its a beautiful temple with its own small charm unlike most of the other temples.


Meigetsu-in -Window with a View by jenkwang, on Flickr
This window in the main hall has a fantastic picturesque view thru the seasons.
The tree behind turns to Autumn colors at the right time, or a winter scene in winter.



Meigetsu-in-Founders shrine by jenkwang, on Flickr



Meigetsu-in - Lone Window by jenkwang, on Flickr



Meigetsu-in -Bamboo Groove by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[macVince]

Beautiful set of photos; thanks for sharing 👍

 

[pinholecam]

Beautiful set of photos; thanks for sharing ��

Thanks, glad you like the shots.

 

[pinholecam]

Kenchoji is the number one Zen temple in Kamakura.
Founded in 1253, it and had head priest who came from China.

This is a big temple which actually has a trail leading into the hill behind it, where there is a shine and a viewpoint where Mt Fuji can be seen on clear days.
If the autumn colors are in bloom, then the trail also leads to a 1hr hiking path that will be rich in autumn colors.
But at the time of my visit, autumn had not arrived yet.



Kenchoji -Main Gate by jenkwang, on Flickr



Kenchoji -Butsuden (Buddha Hall) by jenkwang, on Flickr



Kenchoji Temple #1 by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Kenchoji -Overview by jenkwang, on Flickr


Some shots along the route to the viewpoint on the hill behind Kenchoji


Arhat by jenkwang, on Flickr



Winged Guardian by jenkwang, on Flickr



Sunset over Kamakura by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Sunset from Kamakura Beach by jenkwang, on Flickr

The pros and cons of travelling in Autumn for photos.
Sunset is early, about 5pm and lights get low by 4+.
Thats shorter good light hours to shoot in.
But its also good to be able to do a sunset, packup and have a nice warm dinner by 6.30pm.

I wandered down the beach just to see what is possible from it.
Its supposed to be able to get a view of Mt Fuji on clear days for sunrise.
But when I got there, it was already very dark and not clear enough to orientate me to where Mt Fuji was.
Nonetheless, the sunset was a good warm color with the dark clouds and mountain in the distance, so I ended my day with a shot of it.

 

[pinholecam]

Torii - Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū by jenkwang, on Flickr

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū is an impressive shrine in which the town center of Kamakura has been built around it.
Dating back to 1063, it has a long 1.8km avenue leading to it.
Part of this pathway is lined with cherry blossoms which would be quite a sight in Spring and Autumn.
I wasn't so lucky, since the leaves had dropped off by the time I arrived.


Path to Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[Redsun]

very nice shots!Kamakura looks like its worth a visit!

 

[pinholecam]

very nice shots!Kamakura looks like its worth a visit!

Thanks!
Yes, its certainly worth a visit.
All the locations are so near.
They are either 10-15mins walk from each other or really easy bicycle ride around the small town.

 

[pinholecam]

Old Bank -Kamakura by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū : Courtyard by jenkwang, on Flickr



Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū #2 by jenkwang, on Flickr


A Happy New Year 2015 to everyone, BTW.

 

[pinholecam]

Catching up on the thread.
Did not help with the hard disk crashing, but luckily as a usual practice I did not delete my cards until its backed up.

A couple from Hase Temple


The stone pilgrim, Hase Temple, Kamakura by jenkwang, on Flickr



Hase Temple, Kamakura #2 by jenkwang, on Flickr



Hase Temple, Kamakura #1 by jenkwang, on Flickr



A small shrine I passed on my way to Hase temple.

Amanawashinmeijinja Shrine by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[KYFoong]

Been to Japan so many times and still I enjoy your photo shots! Thanks for sharing

 

[pinholecam]

Been to Japan so many times and still I enjoy your photo shots! Thanks for sharing

Yes, Japan is a beautiful place, a good mix of old and new.
Surprisingly, despite what they say about it being modern and built up, its really only in the cities and 1.5hr off even Tokyo and one can still find natural landscapes and small places.

Glad you liked the photos.

 

[pinholecam]

20141104-DSC05152-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr

The Daibatsu (Big Buddha) is a bronze statue (13.3m) located in Kotokuin temple.
Its actually the 2nd largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan.
An impressive sight.


I spent quite some time there soaking in the atmosphere and finding angles to shoot.


20141104-DSC05146-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr


20141104-DSC05154-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

20141104-DSC05167-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



Untitled by jenkwang, on Flickr



DSC05239-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Nikko

Nikko is certainly worth a visit.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is just 1h45mins from Tokyo and has both historic and natural sites to offer.

Autumn colors are fantastic here, but I was too early in Kamakura, but too late for Nikko (its on higher elevation and cooler, so Autumn arrives earlier)
But then... what was still hanging on was already impressive.



20141105-DSC05218-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20141105-DSC05287-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20141105-DSC05230-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr

 

[pinholecam]

Some shots in Shoyoen inside the World Heritage area.


Shoyoen #1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Shoyoen #2 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Shoyoen #3 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Shoyoen #4 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Shoyoen #5 by jenkwang, on Flickr