Blog
Overlooked tourist spots in Kamakura (especially the former strongholds of the Later Hojo clan)
The members of the “Later Hojo clan”—also known as the “Neo-Hojo”—and particularly the “Tamanawa Hojo,” represent another important, yet often overlooked, facet of Kamakura. I encourage you to explore the traces they left behind on the outer side of the Kiridōshi” (the mountain pass).There are also other historic sites associated with sad anecdotes and unique legends.
The “Kamakura History and Culture Exchange Center”: A Premier Kamakura-Style Space
The Kamakura History and Culture Museum is a beautiful building designed by the renowned British architect Norman Foster. The museum houses a wealth of valuable exhibits, and its grounds feature numerous historical sites that epitomize Kamakura, spanning from the medieval to the modern eras. Climb up to the observation deck for a breathtaking view of the ocean.
“The Heart Sutra”: This Essential Power Tool!
The famous phrase from the Heart Sutra: “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.” Of these, the phrase “emptiness is form” offers a precious teaching that helps us live with a positive and vibrant spirit in today’s complex and chaotic society. For us today, who tend to voluntarily burden ourselves with mental distress and stray onto the path of delusion, the Heart Sutra is truly an essential power tool for cutting through evil and delusion, enabling us to live our lives with vigor and vitality.
Eating the rivals of “Edo-mae” (Tokyo Bay) fishing!
Back when Tokyo was known as Edo, Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River, along with other waterways, must have been a veritable paradise for anglers.There were far more fish swimming there than there are today, and aogisu(blue whiting) that are now extinct were still thriving.The shirogisu(white whiting) is still thriving today, and like a lotus blooming from the mud, it delights us with its beautiful, pearl-like body.Edo-mae(Tokyo Bay) fish. That includes shirogisu(white whiting), of course, as well as conger eel, big-eyed flathead, flounder, Konoshiro, and so on. If we even include fish like the Ginpo—a staple of high-end tempura—a truly vast array of species comes to mind. However, here I’d like to focus specifically on three fish that are particularly familiar to us and renowned as formidable fishing opponents: the sea bass , the black sea bream , and the mullet. I would like to limit my thoughts here to these three fish.
Kamakura and Koga: The Birthplaces of Japan’s Warring States Period
There is a widely accepted theory that Japan’s Warring States period began with the “Kyotoku Rebellion,” which broke out in Kamakura. If this is correct, then Kamakura—or Koga in Ibaraki Prefecture—could be considered the birthplace of the Warring States period. The exploits of Hojo Soun, Japan’s first warlord, may also lend credence to this theory. Furthermore, historical novelist Michiko Nagai has been named an honorary citizen of both Kamakura City and Koga City. For these reasons, the history of the late Muromachi period in the Kanto region remains endlessly fascinating.
The Sweets Yukio Mishima Loved
These are the madeleines from Nisshindo Kashiten in Shimoda, Izu, which were beloved by Yukio Mishima. In a sense, these sweets encapsulate the true essence of Mishima, stripped of his armor. I believe Yukio Mishima's charm lies in his pure, thoughtful, and approachable personality above all else.
Visiting the Former Residence of Yoshiya Nobuko: A Sukiya-Style Building in Kamakura
I visited the former residence of Yoshiya Nobuko (Yoshiya Nobuko Memorial House) in Kamakura. It is open to the public in the spring and fall. Of all the rooms, I particularly enjoyed viewing the study that faces the north garden. There, a desk and a chair are placed. I naturally recall her famous verse, "秋灯机の上の幾山河," and think of her life devoted to literature. I am encouraged.
Visiting the Western-style House in Kamakura: The Former Residence of Kachonomiya
I visited the special autumn opening of The Former Residence of Kachonomiya, a Western-style house located in Kamakura. It's a magnificent estate. Being in such a place makes me truly happy. The estate is tucked away deep in the lush green Takumagayatsu Valley.
Former Maeda Residence and Kamakura Museum of Literature
Another Western-style building stands at the Kamakura Museum of Literature. It is the former Maeda Residence. However, this tangible cultural property will be dismantled and disappear. Before that happens, I had the opportunity to enter the site and take photographs, so I wish to leave a small record of it here. Along with this, I will also include photographs of the Kamakura Museum of Literature before its renovation work.
Kamakura Takigi Noh
This is a report on the Kamakura Takigi Noh performance in the fall of 2025. The Noh play performed was “Hagoromo.” It's one of my favorite plays. It centers on the Hagoromo(feather robe), depicting the conflicting roles of the celestial maiden and the fisherman. The celestial maiden's words, sharp as arrows, pierce the fisherman, yet he immediately returns the robe in response to her words. I believe this contains a message of human harmony.