Kamakura in spring: cherry blossoms, incense, and sea views

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

We'll begin at Sugimoto-dera Temple, the oldest in Kamakura. Here, we'll explore the typical features 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 associated with the Ashikaga and Uesugi samurai clans. Its bamboo grove is a symbol of resilience and inner peace. The autumn light filtering through the stalks invites us to experience seijaku, the tranquility that arises from stillness.

Next, we'll arrive at 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 pathways reflects a spiritual vision of the world's order, serving both an aesthetic and a spiritual purpose.

Finally, we will visit Ichijō Ekan Sansō, a former court villa relocated from Kyoto and surrounded by gardens: a hidden treasure where autumn unfolds in the reds and golds of the momiji and maple trees. We will 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 concludes at the Saryō Kyūto Niōmon teahouse, located within the Ekan Sansō gardens: a place where omotenashi, the deepest expression of Japanese hospitality, is truly felt. There, you can enjoy matcha accompanied by wagashi (traditional sweets) while admiring the gardens in an environment meticulously cared for down to the smallest detail.

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

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