Kamakura in Summer: The Path of the Hydrangeas

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

We will start at the Sugimoto-dera temple, the oldest in Kamakura. Here we will explore the typical elements of a Japanese temple and the practices of its faithful, surrounded by moss-covered steps that invite serenity. 

Next, we will head to the 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 in stillness. 

Then we will arrive at the Jōmyō-ji temple, a Zen temple with samurai roots, where the aesthetics of dry gardens are preserved. Here we will discover how the arrangement of stones, moss, and paths reflects a spiritual vision of the world's order, holding both aesthetic and spiritual purposes. 

Finally, we will visit Ichijō Ekan Sansō, an ancient court villa relocated from Kyoto, surrounded by gardens: a hidden treasure where autumn unfolds in the red and golden tones of the momiji and maples. We will explore the value that the Japanese place on the changing seasons and the ephemeral beauty of life, through concepts like aware and wabi-sabi. 

The tour ends at the Saryō Kyūto Niōmon tea house, located within the gardens of Ekan Sansō: a space where omotenashi, the deepest Japanese hospitality, becomes palpable. There you can enjoy a matcha accompanied by wagashi (traditional sweets), while contemplating the gardens in an environment cared for down to the smallest detail. 

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

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