Kamakura with Koji and Nobuko

We had terrific weather for a long walk in Kamakura on Sunday. We met Koji and Nobuko at the Kamakura train station and headed off to see the town's famous temples and shrines. I have known Koji since I was 10 years old (42 years ago) when he was an international student at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, he and his entire family have remained friends with my family--and so he and Nobuko are longtime friends of our family.

The first stop was a lovely garden and Buddhist temple called Hase-Dera Temple. In one area, there are thousands of small statues, each representing a child that either died, miscarried or was aborted. Some of them have clothing!

As we ascended the stairs to see the Buddhas, the signs specifically said to "keep left." Koji went right, and Scott said, "uh-oh, Koji is going to get arrested." Nobuko laughed hard at this! I don't know if it was because the idea of getting arrested for going on the wrong side was so funny or if it was specifically funny to think of Koji getting arrested because he's so GOOD.

At the top, in addition to the dramatic 11-headed gold Buddha, there was a terrific view of the Pacific Ocean (Kamakura was originally a vacation spot for wealthy people from Tokyo).

Then on to see the "Big Buddha," a very dramatic sight against the hillside. Cherry blossoms abound. We then stopped for an Italian lunch at a club Nobuko belongs to. Delish.

Next, on to the shrine where you can wash your money to ensure wealth in the coming year. This was really a very lovely spot. You walk through a tunnel in the hillside and come out in a surprising narrow valley with rock walls. Incense burning in the air, a waterfall spilling out of a rock wall, and a cave where ladles and baskets are laid out for washing your cash. Tor washed a 10,000 yen bill, and Liv washed a 1000 yen bill. Then they waved them over the burning incense for good luck. We stayed for a while, watching the coi in the pond, and resting on benches.

Then we climbed to the top of the hill for the "higher" shrine to "higher learning." This is for people who have their heads screwed on straight and know what REALLY matters. No one was there! It was quite lovely, and each of us took turns tossing a coin in the donation box, clapping twice and bowing -- a procedure Nobuko demonstrated for us.

We then walked downhill to Koji and Nobuko's house for cookies and a welcome rest. Koji says he tries to walk 10,000 steps a day. Today we think we might have done twice that!