Thursday 22 May 2014

Early Summer in Kamakura

EMU Enoden 10 series runs on the coast near Kamakura-koko-mae (Kamakura High School) Sta.
 
It is early summer in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Although it blows a bit of a cool wind, the sun is strong, as if it were that of mid-summer. I enjoyed a stroll on the coast of Kamakura City with my family at the weekend.

Kamakura, about 40km south of Tokyo, is known as a historic city where the Bakufu (shogunate government) was located from 1185 to 1333. This city is located on the Pacific Ocean to the south. Meanwhile, there are steep mountains to the north, east and west as a natural fortification in the Samurai (warrior) era.

Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) is a convenient mode of transportation to get around the city. Connecting Kamakura and Fujisawa (10km), Enoden was opened in 1902. The track is single, and its electric system is 600V DC overhead. The gauge is 1,067mm. Along with the EMU 20 series, the EMU 10 series is a retro train on the line. It was launched in 1997 in commemoration of the Enoden's 95th anniversary. Only one set (set number 10-50) was manufactured by Tokyu Sharyo. Its blue and cream colored body with a decorated belt is very impressive.

Taking Enoden, we visited a small temple, Jojuin, near Gokurakuji Station. This temple is located on a small hill behind the coast. So, We could feel a fragrant breeze while praying. It was a quiet afternoon.

The beautiful coast and the retro designed train... early summer in Kamakura is a satisfactory spot to visit.

 
View from Jojuin Temple near Gokurakuji Station on the Enoden Line