Kamakura in Autumn: Temples, Gardens, and Traditional Tea

Kamakura holds corners where time seems to stand still. I invite you to walk with me on a unique itinerary, far from the hustle and bustle, where we will discover the profound connection between nature, spirituality, and beauty. It will be an experience to open the senses, to pause for the details that reveal the passing of the seasons, and to discover how the Japanese live in harmony with time and nature.

We'll begin at Sugimoto-dera Temple, the oldest temple in Kamakura. Here, we'll explore the typical elements of a Japanese temple and the practices of its worshippers, surrounded by moss-covered steps that invite serenity.

Next, we'll head to Hōkoku-ji Temple, founded in the 14th century and linked to the Ashikaga and Uesugi samurai clans. Its bamboo forest is a symbol of resilience and inner silence. The autumn light between the stalks invites us to experience seijaku, the calm born of stillness.

We'll then head to Jōmyō-ji Temple, a Zen temple with samurai roots, where the aesthetics of dry gardens are preserved. Here we'll discover how the arrangement of stones, moss, and paths reflects a spiritual vision of the world's order, serving both an aesthetic and spiritual purpose.

Finally, we'll visit Ichijō Ekan Sansō, a former court villa relocated from Kyoto, surrounded by gardens: a hidden treasure where autumn unfolds in the red and gold hues of the momiji and maple trees. We'll explore the value the Japanese place on the changing seasons and the ephemeral beauty of life, through concepts such as aware and wabi-sabi.

The tour ends at the Saryō Kyūto Niōmon teahouse, located within the Ekan Sansō Gardens: a place where omotenashi, the deepest Japanese hospitality, is truly at home. There you can enjoy matcha accompanied by wagashi (traditional sweets) while admiring the gardens in a setting carefully curated down to the smallest detail.

Come with me to discover Kamakura in autumn, from a sensitive and historical perspective. Book now and be amazed by the magic of time in Japan!
💴 Additional expenses: temple entrance fees and the tea house experience.

- Sugimoto-dera: ¥300
- Hōkoku-ji Bamboo Forest: 400 yen
- Jōmyō-ji: 100 yen
- Café Saryō Kyūto Niōmon: between 1,000 and 2,000 yen (depending on the menu).