Japan!

Kamakura is about 50 km south-south-west of Tokyo. It is sometimes considered a former de facto capital of Japan, as the seat of the Regent and Shogunate during the Kamakura Period.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides and the open water of Sagami Bay on the fourth, Kamakura is a natural fortress. During the Heian period it was the chief city of theKanto region, and from the 12th through 14th centuries the Minamoto shoguns ruled Japan from here under what is known as the Kamakura Shogunate.

Below is Kenchoji Temple

the MOST Zen temple of Kamakura

The temple was constructed on the orders of Emperor Gofukakusa and completed in 1253. It was founded by a Chinese Zen master who moved to Japan in 1246 and the oldest Rinzai Zen training monastery in Japan.

This was a walkway up to another little temple that Mom and I walked to -
Iain was crashed out in Donnie's arms and Dad hung out

This bronze statue is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan cast in 1252.

• Weight; 93 tons
• Height; 13.35m
• Length of Face; 2.35m
• Length of Eye; 1.0m
• Length of Mouth; 0.82m
• Length of Ear; 1.90m
• Length from knee to knee; 9.10m
• Circumference of thumb; 0.85m

One of many Torii Gates in Kamakura

A “Torii” is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a Shinto shrine,
although it can be found at Buddhist temples as well.
Torii marks the transition from the sacred (the shrine) to the profane (the normal world).

The Japanese LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cartoons!
They are everywhere.

Above is "shopping town" -- Ohhh, lots of fun.
Everything from junk to really nice chic shops!