Meigetsu-in Temple;Kamakura Sightseeing Spot- 2

Meigetsu-in Temple was founded in 1180. The reason why I introduce this temple here is that the dry landscape garden with rocks and sand is very beautiful. In Kyoto there are two famous dry landscape gardens; one at Nanzen-ji Temple and another at Ryoan-ji Temple. But if you don't have enough time to go to Kyoto, you will be able to enjoy it here. This temple is within ten minutes' walk from Kita-Kamakura station of the JR Yokosuka line.
The picture above is the main building of Meigetsu-in Temple. The picture below is the dry landscape garden.

Meigetsu-in literally means Bright Moon Temple. This temple is also known as The Temple of Hydrangeas because there are a lot of hydrangeas along the path to the temple.On the way from the station to this temple there is a famous temple named Engaku-ji Temple. The following picture is flowers arranged beautifully in the main hall.

The above is a romantic picture of rabbits enjoying the full moon.

 

The Great Buddha of Kamakura in the precinct of Kotoku-in Temple;Kamakura Sightseeing Spot- 1

When you go to Kamakura, you shouldn't miss The Great Buddha. I took this picture on September 19, 2010. It was Tuesday and the weather was not nice- cloudy. But there were many sightseers as you can see in the picture.It took ten years to build The Great Buddha of Kamakura; the construction started in 1252.The height of this statue is 13.4 meters including the podium or 11.3 meters excluding it.

At first the statue was in a hall which was destroyed by a typhoon in 1334. Another hall was built to cover the statue but it was also destroyed by another typhoon in 1369. According to the explanation written on the reverse side of the entrance ticket it is unknown whether a hall was constructed for the third time. But Wikipedia says another hall was build and washed away by tsunami on Sep. 20, 1498.
Admission to Kotoku-in Temple is 200 yen.

In the picture below you can see a pair of stone gurdian dogs are welcoming you.

Written by Mitsutoshi Masunari. 

My Yahoo Blog

I have another blog. For your convenience I made a list below. Click each and you will enjoy my articles.
Ⅰ.People remembered in connection with Yokohama1.Brunton, Richard Henry ; Father of Lighthouses in Japan
2.Heco, Joseph ; The First Japanese American
3.Hepburn, James Curtis ; American Missionary and Doctor
4.Hara, Zenzaburo; Sankei-en Garden and Hara Family
5.Morel, Edmund
6.Palmer, Henry Spencer; British Engineer
7.Satow, Ernest Mason ; British Diplomat
8.Scidmore, Eliza Ruhamah; Jinrikisha Days in Japan
9.Scidmore, George Hawthorne; American Diplomat
10.Willis, William; British Doctor
11.Wirgman, Charles; British Artist and Cartoonist

Ⅱ.Structures and Events in Yokohama
1.Chicago Pneumanic's Compressor
2.The Convention of Kanagawa(1854) and The Harris Treaty(1858)
3.Hongaku-ji Temple in Yokohama
4.The Minato Mirai Area
5.Shomyo-ji Temple in Yokohama
6.Yokohama-Naritasan Temple and Iseyama-Koutaijingu Shrine
Yahoo finished their service of blogsite on Dec. 15, 2019

 

In order not to be involved in a trouble with an unlicensed tour guide

In Japan there is a strict law to become a licensed guide-interpreter who is allowed to receive a reward. It is required to pass the national examination presided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism without regard to the person's nationality. After passing the examination it is also required to obtain the National Guide Certificate from the prefectural office where the person lives. So it is illegal for anybody to receive rewards for guiding foreigners if he/she has not obtained this certificate even if it is their side business: a maximum fine of JY500,000(US$55,000) is imposed for breaking the law. This rule is being described in the home page of Japan Guide Association. I hope you will not be involved in a trouble without knowing this rule. I advise you to ask your tour guide to show their certificate at first sight.

Down - but not out - in Kotobukicho

The article about Kotobuki-cho written by Mr. Jon Mitchell appears on today's Japan Times after one week's delay as I noticed in my blog last time. I was surprised when I read the article because it occupied about 60% of two pages. Anyway I recommend you to read his magnificent report. It is -by all means- very interesting and useful. At the end of the article my photo with a short comment is being shown with five other men.
I turned 65 years old today but I am alive and kicking. So I welcome your request to guide you to the sightseeing spots in and around Yokohama, e.g. Tokyo and Kamakura-the old capital from 1192 to 1333 where there are many famous temples and shrines.

 

The Japan Times

The schedule for the article 'The changing face of the Kotobukicho area in Yokohama' has changed from June 29 to July 6 which happens to be my birthday.

Meeting with a journalist of 'The Japan Times'

Yesterday I had a chance to be interviewed by Mr. Jon Mitchell, a Welsh-born writer, who is currently based in Yokohama. This time he is in charge of a column of The Japan Times-VIEWS FROM THE STREET. His assignment is to follow Yokohama City's plan to vitalize an aging area of this city.
I look forward to the article-the changing face of the Kotobukicho area of Yokohama-on June 29. This chance will propel my career as an English speaking guide-interpreter.
Written and posted by Mitsutoshi Masunari on May 27.