Of the places of worship in Kamakura that we have visited this time, the Jochiji temple is my favourite. It might not look as grand as the Tsugaoka Hachiman Shrine, or as impressive as the Engakuji Shrine, or is as famous as the Daibutsu at Kotokuin temple, it is the most serene and peaceful temple that we visited that day.
Upon stepping foot into the temple grounds, I saw only the main hall and thought that there would be “nothing to see…” here. But it wasn’t the case. The grounds of the temple are quietly beautiful, without any showiness. It was a place where I could enjoy some solitude. It helped that there were no crowds at the temple – save for a couple of temple helpers sweeping the grounds, TBH and myself, I didn’t see any other visitors.
^ The approach to the Jochiji temple, leading to the main gate of the temple.
^ Main hall containing three Buddha statues. The temple ranks fourth on the list of ‘the most important five Zen temples in Kamakura’.
^ Flowerbeds and a tradtional Japanese home. I have no idea who is living in the house. Subsequent to the visit, I read that there is also a graveyard in the grounds, probably some distance away from the flower beds. *gulps*.
^ The composition of this photo is off, but I love the clear, cloudless blue sky in the picture. The weather that day was awesome.
^ A bamboo grove behind the temple.
^ I get excited whenever I see fruit growing on trees. Fruiting trees are very pretty to look at, and photograph. I love the patterns made by intertiwning branches and leaves. Are these peaches, or persimmons…?
^ A flight of steps leading to the Daibutsu walking trail. We were game to do a one-hour hike from Jochiji to Daibutsu, but chickened out shortly after we hit the trail because we looked around and did not see a clear path leading to the Daibutsu or direction markers showing the way. We did not want to get lost in the forest! So we back-tracked and commuted to the Daibutsu by train.
This photo is one of those moments that I want to remember always. Of my husband looking very happy and relaxed! It is so hard to coax a spontaneous smile out of him. 🙂
