A rare free Sunday finally arrived, offering the perfect chance to enjoy Kamakura’s autumn. With Ann at my side, I set out with my wife to explore the colors of North Kamakura and revisit familiar paths I rarely walk despite living here.
Living in Kamakura is a blessing, but it doesn’t mean I always enjoy what it offers.
On weekdays I’m away at work, and weekends often disappear into obligations. Even Sundays have been filled with errands lately, leaving little room for a proper walk.
Today, at last, was different — a clear, quiet morning and the perfect day to step outside.
My wife suggested that the colors around North Kamakura were at their peak, so we took Ann and headed out for some autumn leaf viewing. We passed through Kenchō-ji and walked along the side of Jōchi-ji. The maples at Kenchō-ji were stunning, but the path by Jōchi-ji sits in the shade of the eastern ridge, keeping the sunlight away — just a bit unfortunate.
From there we climbed up to Kuzuhara-oka Shrine, descended toward Zeniarai Benzaiten, and continued on to Sasuke. The area still has small fields here and there, giving the walk a faint touch of countryside charm. The air was crisp, the mountains bright with color, and simply walking felt good.
We returned to the station and stopped by Shimamori to buy next year’s calendar. There were the usual crowds of tourists, though noticeably fewer visitors from China, and the familiar black one-box vans were almost entirely absent. At this level, the crowds felt manageable.
By the end of the eight-kilometer walk, my knees were laughing a little.
It was a day that reminded me how beautiful Kamakura’s autumn can be — and how out of shape I’ve become.
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