Kamakura, Part 1: The Tsurugaoka Hachiman-guu Shrine

On Thursday, we took a field trip to Kamakura as part of our cultural indoctrination class. Kamakura was the capital of Japan under the first ruling Shogunate, Minamoto no Yoritomo. 

 After successfully purchasing train cards, Millinophile and Chickadee are ready to explore. Japan has both government and privately-owned railways. This card will work for both the government railway (JR) and the local railways (Keikyu, Enoden, etc.). We can also use it in vending machines and convenience stores located in the train stations.

 A tunnel with Sakura blossoms and teeth (near the Yokosuka JR station).

The view from the train platform.
 

 Finally in Kamakura!  At this point, the tour group broke up for lunch.  Millinophile and Chickadee decided to go to a sushi-go-round.  While eating, Millinophile noticed that the lady next to him appeared to be laughing every time she looked at him.  He eventually realized it was because he was using his chopsticks upside down!  Also, Chickadee dumped a big spoonful of matcha (green tea) powder on top of her sushi, thinking it was wasabi (it wasn't). Other than that, lunch was uneventful.

 

Shinto temples always have gates like this (called torii gates) in front of them.  They are usually red, and indicate that you are about to enter the shrine's property.  That being said, this torii gate is actually the entrance to the Kamakura shopping district. So many people come to Kamakura to visit the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-guu Shrine that they use this gate as a symbol of the city.

 The main shopping strip. It's mostly touristy shops, geared towards Japanese tourists coming to visit the shrine. 

 The third and final torii gate for the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-guu Shrine.

 Only the Shogun and his family were allowed to cross this bridge, the Drum Bridge.

 Minamoto no Yoritomo built the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-guu Shrine in Kamakura in 1191, and dedicated it to a Shinto god of war.

We're not sure what this is, but it looks like a lot of beer.
EDIT: These are empty sake barrels, representing the sake that has been donated to the shrine (thanks, John Martin!).

 The shrine from the bottom of the steps.

 A view of the city from the top of the shrine's steps.  You can just barely see two of the three torii gates in the distance.

 Some carp in a pond.

 The wife of the Shogun built two ponds with islands on either side of the drum bridge.  The white pennants are the symbol of the Shogun's family.

Some ducks.  Redheads, if you must know.

To be continued...