Kamakura

Me, Sachiko, and Erika at Hachimangu temple

Me and a DANGER SIGN!!!

Me and Little Buddha

Me and BIG Buddha

Hello Everyone!

Yesterdays journey was a day trip to Kamakura, about an hour outside of Tokyo. Basically, it is the coolest place ever! All us exchange students, our Japanese buddies, and our Program coordinators all piled on to the trains (we took up and entire car!!) to visit temples, shrines, and other attractions of history packed Kamakura.

First, we went a little past Kamakura (but it is still in Kamakura...I am not really sure how it works) to Hase where we visited what I think is one of the coolest things I have ever seen...the Daibutsu!! (Dai=big, butsu=buddha). I read in my book that it was big, but I did not realize how massive it was until I was standing right next to it. You can even go inside!!! SO COOL. In all Japanese temples, they have charm shops (for protection agains car crashes, help with studying, etc.) and I bought 2 daibutsu ones! First, I got a daibutsu phone strap, and then one for strong legs.

We then visited another nearby temple that was just as cool. Inside they had the 11 headed Kannon, and a cool cave with old statues in it. I think I always amuse the Japanese people with how excited I get around old things. Next, we had lunch on the beach! I was standing on the other side of the Pacific for awhile!!! Because it was a really hot day, there were lots of surfers, windsurfers, and body surfers. I wanted to go!!! We even saw a dead puffer-fish (the poisionous kind!!!).

After lunch, we split up into 2 groups-one group went to the island Enoshima, and we went further into Kamakura to some awesome history packed shrines. One was in a cool bamboo forest, the other on a hill. Very exciting!

We then walked about the shopping street, and I bought these really good pancake/bean sandwiches that was basically amazing. We also looked inside another totoro shop (very popular) and ate some sweet natto dish. We had dinner at one of those sushi places where the sushi rotates on a conveyer belt and you pick up the ones you want. All the sushi is on different color plates indicating different prices. After dinner, we took the train home.

On some more fun notes, my host mom watches Prison Break! So prison break night is now thursday. (although they are a season behind).

Also, my class results are in. I am taking Japanese Language, Japanese Art History, and Japanese History. See a theme?

Tonight, we are going to see a fireworks show in Chofu, 30 minutes away by bike. I can't wait!!!

Also, because there are actually more pictures I would like to put up, and when school starts I probably wont have any cool pictures, I might just put up old pictures I think are cool. :)

Love you all!