[Date
& Time] Wednesday, May 28, 13:30-18:20
[Spots] Jomyoji
Temple, Hokokuji Temple, Sugimotodera Temple, and Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu Shrine
[Participants] 18 participants from Greece, the U.S., Italy, Germany,
the U.K., New Zealand, and Canada, and 2 from Japan
[Attendants]
2 KSGG members
[Language]
English
On the bus, I
explained about Miura Peninsula and Hayama. Then I introduced the beginning of
Japanese culture, using a picture-story show of The Moon Princess. After I explained about the history of
Kamakura and its culture, we arrived at Jomyoji Temple. I gave an outline of the founding story of
Jomyoji Temple. At Kisen-an, we enjoyed having powdered green tea and listening
the sound of Suikin-Kutsu (a kind of music device consisting of an
up-and-down buried pot), seeing the kare-sansui garden (a traditional Japanese-style garden made
of rocks and stones). After
enjoying the tranquility in the bamboo garden at Hokokuji Temple, we headed to
Sugimotodera Temple. It was disappointing
that the mossy stone steps were also covered as the temple was under
renovation. Then we moved to Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu Shrine and offered our prayers.
After that, the visitors strolled along Komachi Dori Street as they liked.
We got together again at a parking lot as scheduled and finished our
tour without any trouble.