After yesterday’s rain, I was ready for a little adventure. I set off to Kamakura to explore the Gion-Yama hiking trail. Most of the hike is through the city of Kamakura. There is however about 1.5 km along a heavily wooden trail. Here is a map of my route. 


I started and finished at the Kamakura train station. My first stop was the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine. We have been several times because it is just so beautiful. I detoured off the route today to snap a couple of pictures of the fall foliage. It didn’t disappoint even on an overcast day. 


While I was here, I purchased my Temple stamp book and first stamp. 

In the western world, this is the front of the book.

In the eastern world, this is the front.


First stamp is on back of book… or in the eastern world, the front.


I continued on my way. Up hills and over bridges. 


All of the sudden, the road ends and the trail begins. Without the route map I discovered in my research, I never would have found this trail! 


Up I went, one stair at a time! 

A picture of cascading ferns for my mom.


Of course, there is a shrine. 


And so many trees! Many of which are still green! It’s the middle of November, where are the colors? 

The Yagumojinja Temple is my destination


The trail was a little slippery from the rain yesterday. I’m considering asking Santa for a pair of hiking shoes this year. I have been hiking in an old pair of running shoes. The hikes are more like wooded walks. Not necessarily needing hiking boots, but shoes with better traction. 

Fall color!!


I made it to the lookout where on a clear day, “Mt Fuji is visible.” Obviously, today was not a clear day! 


After the lookout, the trail led down to the Yagumojinja Temple. It was a weird experience. After hiking through the woods, you pop out by a temple. The trail just ends. 


The temple was lovely. 


And I collected my second stamp. The stamp from Yagumojinja Temple is on the right. 

Yagumojinja Temple on right and Hongaku-ji Temple on left


I continued my walk along the route with a quick detour at Myochin Temple. It was lovely. Fall colors, cemetery and a Buddha. 





Back to the walking route and I was almost back to the Kamakura train station. With one more temple detour. Here I stopped at the Honganji-ji Temple and received my third stamp. 


This was a quick excursion. Only took me about 2.5 hours round trip from my house. I needed to keep it short today because housing was coming between 1300-1600 to change the filters on the AC/heat. I was home by 12:55, they rang the doorbell at 13:05. The Japanese are definitely punctual. When you visit, we can easily make this a longer adventure. We could enjoy lunch and walk through the cute shops in Kamakura. Kamakura is quickly becoming one of my favorite towns!