[Date & Time] Wednesday, April 8, at 11:00 ~ 18:00
[Spots] Dankazura, Gokurakuji Temple, Jyojuin Temple, Goryojinja Shrine, Hasedera Temple, Kosokuji Temple, Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha), and Komachi Dori Street
[Guests] An American family of four: A couple and their 9-year-old twin daughters
[Attendants] 2 KSGG Members
[Language] English
[Spots] Dankazura, Gokurakuji Temple, Jyojuin Temple, Goryojinja Shrine, Hasedera Temple, Kosokuji Temple, Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha), and Komachi Dori Street
[Guests] An American family of four: A couple and their 9-year-old twin daughters
[Attendants] 2 KSGG Members
[Language] English
Although the husband’s mother is Japanese, he does not speak Japanese at all, and thus has his daughters go to a Japanese school on Saturdays. Their visit to Japan was for the daughters to have firsthand experience on Japan and its culture. On a mild spring day right after some chilly days, we first went to Dankazura to see the cherry blossoms. Fortunately, different from the forecast for earlier blooming, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom on that day, which was the utmost present to them. We bought box lunches of our own choice and had them at a bench of the platform in front of Kamakura High School, enjoying an ocean view.
At Gokurakuji Temple, which was colorful with cherry blossoms and other flower decorations for Buddha’s birthday festival, we leisurely spent time in the hall by having hydrangea tea for free and having powdered tea for 100 yen. Then we moved to Hasedera Temple via Jojuin Temple and Goryojinja Shrine. The children easily walked the hilly path surrounded by hydrangea. Aronias were also in full bloom at Kosokuji Temple. The family took long-sought, memorial pictures of themselves in front of the Great Buddha. Fortunately, it was a good day for us to appreciate many blossoms elsewhere.
I had a time answering a lot of questions from the family, who were eager to learn a lot about Japan, but I am happy if my answers will help them know a little more about Japan. I hope the memory of the day in Kamakura will continue to shine brightly in their life.
At Gokurakuji Temple, which was colorful with cherry blossoms and other flower decorations for Buddha’s birthday festival, we leisurely spent time in the hall by having hydrangea tea for free and having powdered tea for 100 yen. Then we moved to Hasedera Temple via Jojuin Temple and Goryojinja Shrine. The children easily walked the hilly path surrounded by hydrangea. Aronias were also in full bloom at Kosokuji Temple. The family took long-sought, memorial pictures of themselves in front of the Great Buddha. Fortunately, it was a good day for us to appreciate many blossoms elsewhere.
I had a time answering a lot of questions from the family, who were eager to learn a lot about Japan, but I am happy if my answers will help them know a little more about Japan. I hope the memory of the day in Kamakura will continue to shine brightly in their life.