Date & Time： Sunday, July 23, 10:30 am –3:00 pm
Spots： Sugimotodera Temple, Hokokuji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Jufukuji Temple, Zeniarai Benten Shrine, and Sasuke Inari Shrine,
Visitors： Turkish American Couple
Attendant：1 KSGG member
Language： English
Intrigued by a conference held at Waseda University in Tokyo, the visitors wanted to visit Kamakura, the ancient capital for a Samurai government in medieval times, to feel its atmosphere on this occasion. So, they were interested in moss-covered stairs and a thatched roof of Sugimotodera Temple, and a bomboo garden in Hokokuji Temple rather than Buddha Statues.
As they wanted to go back to Kamakura Station by 3:00 pm, they gave up drinking matcha, powdered green tea this time. From a bus they saw Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine and so wanted to drop in the shrine, where they found a bride dressed in shiromuku, a traditional pure white garb for wedding, and her bridegroom. As they had a chance to see an unexpected scene, they seemed to be deeply impressed.
After lunch we walked around Jufukuji Temple and Sasuke Inara Shrine at a run. They were especially interested in the rows of torii gates at the shrine. When I explained that the fox holds a message from a deity in its mouth they were so glad that coming to this place enabled them to hear this story. On their way back to the station, they were looking at roofing tiles and fence material of houses. They were also interested in crape myrtles and shrimp plants. They said they had a Japanese-style garden at their home and planted maples. They also told me that one of their friends would publish a Japan guide book including a chapter of Kamakura next year. I’m looking forward to reading it.