A seaside town of temples and a giant Buddha
Kamakura was Japan's political capital from the late twelfth century, and today it is a coastal town an hour from Tokyo full of temples and shrines. The Great Buddha of Kotoku-in, a bronze figure over 11 metres high, has sat in the open air since a tsunami destroyed its hall. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the main shrine, and the Zen temples of Kita-Kamakura and Hasedera have lovely gardens, especially in hydrangea season. Hiking trails link the temples, and the Enoden train runs along the coast to Enoshima.