Kamakura, Japan

We arrived at a small station near to Fujisawa (close to Mount Fuji and Kamakura) at night and hoped that our Air BnB host would be true to his word. Punctuality is pretty important in Japan, so 20 mins after we were due to meet, we were getting a little concerned... At last Kyota arrived and showed us to our apartment, 30seconds from the station. It was good to have our own place for a couple of days.

We had been to a fair few temples in Nikko and so another day of it in Kamakura was nothing to get too excited about. In the end though, we loved it there.

Kamakura is a former capital and as such has some pretty grand temples, but quite different to the slightly garish examples in Nikko. They are set amongst immaculate gardens; incredibly peaceful places for quiet walks and meditation rather than tourist attractions. It was quite strange to see roses in flower, blossom on some trees, orange leaves falling to the ground from others and completely bare branches of trees apparently in the depths of winter. All four seasons within a small garden...

Feeling pretty relaxed we left the temples and headed along streets with tasteful shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants. A team of 6 gardners pulled inch high weeds out of the moss at the base of trees. Others cut grass with scissors. I guess places dont look this pristince without attention to detail!

By the time we reached the centre of town things were a lot more commercialised and hectic, but there was still a nice feel about it. We finally got off the mark with our Xmas shopping and fit in seeing the grand Buddha before heading home for some Chinese food recommended by Kyota. We pointed at pictures and the beaming chef flapped his arms like a bird - yes chicken will be great...

P.S. Green Tea flavoured KitKats are pretty disgusting, even free ones...