Tokyo is a fantastic city and I miss my days when I used to travel to the world’s
technology capital for business. But even the most hardy travelers to
Japan deserve a break from the noise, excitement, and congestion. An hour away by rail is Kamakura, and important cultural, religious, and one time political center of Japan that dates back two millennia.
Historic tombs, incredible gardens, elegant food, and yes, a giant (Amida) Buddha make for a fantastic day trip or even a night to decompress. But the city’s best treat is an excursion away from the city along Japan’s underrated shoreline.
Kamakura garden, ca. 2007
While you spend your day in Kamakura, you have to treat yourself to a shoreline train ride along the Enoshima Electric Railway. Launched in 1900, the romantic and rickety rail line rambles about six miles (10 km) towards Fujisawa. Most of the line is single-track, and the gentle rocking will almost lull you to sleep on a balmy Sunday afternoon.
Just one more reason why
Japan matters. And matters immensely.
[...] Taking an hour or two to see Tokyo by the Yurikamome brings to motion all that is cutting-edge and symbolic about Japan. Its rail system is the world’s envy for many reasons. boarding the Yurikamome, a [...]