This is really embarassing..............

Believe it or not- I've lived here 10 years but have never been to Kamakura. Decided to spend my Bday there tomorrow for a day trip with DH while kids are at school. Should we drive there or take the train? We have to try to make OD's VolleyBall game later that afternoon.
Thanks much !

Hi, bmttokyo -
I don't know what driving there would entail, but the train is certainly easy enough. And there are at least 2 different train stops, so you could get off at one (say Kita-Kamakura), walk around some of the temples, and then go to the train station that is nearest where you end up (say Kamakura) instead of having to walk back to your car. Hope that helps!

bmttokyo,

Happy birthday and hope you have a good visit. I would also second train. Very easy to get to on Yokosuka Line, less than 1hr from Tokyo.
Aside from big temples--one in front of Kita Kamakura and the one closer to Kamakura station, there are many hidden gems. My favourite is the Bamboo Temple (Houkokuji?). Very easy to catch taxis from Kamakura station.

We also loved the pigeon-shaped butterly-but-not-too-sweet cookies, which seemed to be a local specialty.

kja & W9London,

Thanks for your replies. I just got to it right now. I fell asleep really early that evening after being out all day.

Took the Kamakura Enoshima Free Kippu by JR East for Y1970 for a RT ticket <http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_004.html>which included the Kamakura to Hase leg of the trip. IT was a good day, got to see the Great Buddha, the Kannon temple ,ate a real good Ten don Meal, ate green tea ice cream. It was a real good birthday !!!

Perhaps next time I visit, I'll go see your favorite haunts. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I have really nice pix but DO NOT KNOW how to download to any photo sharing website. TOO MUCH OF A COMPUTER DUMMY !!!

Still working on getting photos uploaded. I think I got the Kamakura pix in place now. Here they are:

<bmttokyo46th.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0EYsWrlq1ZMXEA>

Enjoy !!!

Nice picture, bmt!

Omedetou gozaimasu!

Mara san,
Arigatou !!!
B

Love Tendon. Can you still climb up into the head of the Buddha?

For Y20 you can go inside the body cavity , go up 2 flights of little steps then end up in his mid section I believe. The stairs going up to his head is barred. Looks like its been there a while. It was interesting though, very interesting.