Hase-dera Temple - Kamakura - 1995

January 1995. There is a cave, which is supposed to be carved out by Kobe Daishi, which the visitor can walk through. The cave is dark and winding and is lit by candles. The cave features statues of the Goddess Benzaiten and 16 children carved out of the cave walls. Benzaiten is one of the 7 Gods and Goddess of fortune of Japan. Bensaiten is Goddess of Music, Fine Arts and Literature.


Kamakura Hase-dera Temple

Kamakura Station - 1995

January 1995. The station design is uniquely Japanese.
Kamakura Station

Kamakura - 1995

Train ticket from Kamakura to Kotoku-in. The train is quite small, old and literally goes through the backyards of homes with little crossing gates at each pathway. Scenic and serene.



Nothing can prepare the visitor for the first time they visit the Great Buddha. As the visitor walks up - the statue gives an illusion that the eyes are closed. Only when the visitor stands in front of the Buddha does the visitor realize that Buddha's eyes are open and looking down directly at you. A very stirring moment in time.
Kotoku-in

Randomness

A charm for the back of a child's back pack. It is luminescent for visibility in the dark.

Iced coffee (ko-he) from Mr. Donut.

Random and bizarre TV commercial for hair replacement, anywhere. Essentially nylon thread that is woven into skin.

Early Winter Celebration

Homemade Japanese food at its finest. Great care and deliberation is taken in preparing Japanese meals, especially when there are guests, friends and family in attendance.

Japanese Trains - Blog Post

Traveling in Japan by rail is an experience to be enjoyed. From the bullet trains to smaller rail transit systems, the rail transit system in Japan is unique.

7 Reasons Why Japanese Trains Are Different

Early Winter Celebration

While the Japanese do not "officially" celebrate Christmas, they do have a winter gathering of food, drink and celebration. Add a Christmas tree and there you go. You won't go home hungry.

Takashimaya Food Court

Takashimaya Basement

Matsuzaka beef, which is better than Kobe beef (the best of the best in Japan).

Looks too good to eat!

The green "leaves" are plastic.


Takuwan

Takashimaya Department Store

If you like shopping, then a stop at Takashimaya Department store is a must visit. The chain has stores in major locations in Japan, New York, Taipei, Paris and Singapore. Each floor is dedicated for certain lines of goods, such as clothing, housewares, etc. The basement is dedicated to food, both prepared and fresh.

For the well dressed man.

Take home sushi and sashimi. At closing time, the food court becomes very popular and the vendors lower their prices as closing time nears. The closer to closing time, the lower the price. You can find some fantastic bargains this way.


As fresh and delicious as it looks.

Japanese Furniture - Sublime and Cuteness

In Japan the sublime and cuteness overload exist side by side.

Issei Noodle Shop (USA)

A local Japanese style noodle shop. The food is about as authentic as it gets (even in Japan this would be an excellent place to eat). The noodles are made fresh daily and the ingredients are the best quality and selection. The shop is owned and operated by an Asian couple. The matron is from Okinawa. The atmosphere is a step back into a place in Japan.