Kamakura

Kamakura 30 mi/50 km south of Tokyo is religious center is the photogenic Daibutsu, a giant 90-ton bronze statue of the Buddha. The statue has an amazing history: Cast in the 13th century, it originally was housed in a temple about a mile farther inland. In 1452, a giant tsunami washed the temple away and carried the Buddha to its present location! The other attractions are the city also has 18 ancient shrines and 65 temples Tsuregaoka Hachimangu and Kamakuragu are our favorite shrines; Kenchoji and Tokeiji our favorite temples. Be sure to see the Nagao Museum and the Modern Art Museum, designed by a Japanese student of Le Corbusier.