We’re there. This is the end. I am regretfully announcing that this is the last post of the Japan Fall Trip 2015 series that started last november.

As I told you at the beginning, my trip narrative was not in chronological order, since I started by telling you about Tokyo although it’s actually where our trip ended.

This last step today part of that Tokyo stay. On a whim, we spent a day at Kamakura, a sea resort, 1 hour away from the capital (=once again our JR Pass turned out to be very useful).

This post will not be extensive as to what there is to visit in the city, for we didn’t leave early enough (early bird catches the worm they say … how true!). We took (way) too much time browsing the shops and getting a taste of the local specialties….

 

The Great Buddha

To be completely honest, we only “visited” (and it’s generous wording) the Great Buddha, Kamakura’s great classic, and only a couple minutes before it closed.

We took a couple pictures before nightfall and were gently shown out.

The Great Buddha’s giant flip-flops

You can actually climb inside Buddha’s body, which we didn’t do. However it would seem that it’s not totally relevant – the view isn’t particularly breathtaking (lucky for us).

Although it was clearly a quick visit, we enjoyed the city’s atmosphere (a sort cool surfer town with a japanese touch). We promised ourselves we’d come back next time for a better feel of the city, to enjoy the seaside and visit the city temples.

 

Culinary discoveries

In the meantime, here are a couple pics of our culinary discoveries in the city’s main shopping street (Komachi dori) :

A very good udon shop KAMAKURA UDON (1 Chome-5-38 Yukinoshita) (proudly exhibiting it’s good review in the Michelin guide in it’s window).

… Intensely focused on the Menu

A small stall with dangos (mochi skewers) (on Komachi dori), with various flavors, sauces, sweet or savory.

… and fish-shaped flaky pastries (tayaki) filled with stuffing made with tiny white fish called shirasu.

 

Bye Bye Japan !

Here ends the travel diary of this fabulous Japan fall trip. I kept enjoying it all the way ’til now, when the cherry blossoms are certainly opening up for Hanami.

Having visited Japan during both seasons, I can’t decide which I like best and which was more beautiful : fall or spring.

In any case, I think once you’ve been to Japan, you can only want to come back, no matter the season; it’s like the irrepressible need to see a friend you miss. I’m sure a number of you feel the same way.

So I’m hoping to go back asap, and keep this travel diary going. Thanks again for your enthusiasm, I loved traveling with you guys! (English translation by Marine)

If you want to see all my notes on Japan, you can find them all here :

♥ my spring trip in 2014 here
♥ my fall trip in 2015 here