Date & Time : Sunday, May 13, 9:00 am –5:20 pm
Spots: Jyufukuji Temple, Genjiyama, Zeniarai Benten Shrine, Sasuke Inari Shrine, Daibutsu Hiking Trail, Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha), Houkokuji Temple, Sugimotodera Temple, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine
Visitors: A Malaysian Couple
Attendant: 1 KSGG member
Language: English
The visitors came to Japan at the end of last month, and visited Meiji-jingu Shrine and Shinjuku Gyoen Garden in Tokyo after traveling in Hokkaido and Tohoku region. They came to Yokohama and Kamakura at the end of their tour. First, I told them the schedule of the day and the general information about Kamakura. We went through the Jyufukuji Temple and walked up the Kewai-zaka Slope to reach Genjiyama Park on the hill. Then we went down the hill through Zeniarai-Benten Shrine to Sasuke-Inari Shrine. Sasuke Inari Shrine reminded them of Fushimi Inari Shrine, which they visited before, and they took a lot of pictures in front of the torii gate. After paying homage to the shrine, as they wanted to go the harder way, we went up the steep hill behind the shrine and went on the Daibutsu Hiking Trail to get to Kotokuin Temple almost without any break. They said that they walk for one hour every morning. We looked at the Great Buddha at Kotokuin Temple. As it started to rain when we arrived at Kamakura station, we headed to Hokokuji Temple by taxi after lunch. At Houkokuji Temple, they enjoyed tea, listening to the sound of rain. Then we stopped by Sugimoto-dera Temple on the way to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. They looked fine despite having walked a long distance. After we had a chat at a coffee shop on the Komachi Dori Street, they went back to Shibuya, where they were staying. At first, I was a little nervous about my first guiding and the bad weather forecasted. Fortunately, we could complete the long walk of the Daibutsu Trail without rain. I was lucky to accompany the good-walking visitors.