Kamakura, Kanagawa facts for kids
Kamakura (鎌倉市, Kamakura-shi) is a city in Kanagawa, Japan. It is about 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Tokyo. It was the functioning capital of Japan during the Kamakura period (1203-1333).
In 1250, Kamakura was the 4th largest city in the world with 200,000 people. The other two large cities in Japan at this time were Kyoto and Nara.
Kamakura was made a municipality on November 3, 1939.
Today, Kamakura is famous as an upper-class area for people to live. This is because of the history and because it is close to the mountains and the sea.
History
- 1192 (Kenkyū 3, 12th day of the 7th month): Kamakura Shogunate founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo
- 1293 (Einin 1, 4th month): A severe earthquake; fatalities in Kamakura were estimated to be 10,000 people.
- 1923 (Taishō 12): Sagami Bay was the center of the Great Kantō earthquake. The disaster caused widespread damage in the region. Fatalities in Kamakura were more than 2,000 victims.
Tourism
Kamakura has many Buddhist temples. The huge outdoor bronze statue of Buddha at Kamakura is world famous.
The city has many Shinto shrines, including
- Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Shinto shrine
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is one of the three major Hachimangu located in Kamakura. It is the most popular spot in Kamakura, especially, Yabusame in September is very famous. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was built in 1063 and became the capital and center of Kamakura Government established by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Turugaoka Hachiman-gu has many beautiful maple and ginkgo trees. In autumn, the vew at this shrine is nice. In June, hydrangeas grow. Many temples have beautiful gardens of hydrangeas. The Hase temple is the most well-known of these temples.
Sister cities
Kamakura has international sister cities.
- Nice in France
- Dunhuang in the People's Republic of China
Other pages
- Rudyard Kipling poem: Rudyard Kipling, "The Buddha at Kamakura", 1892
Images for kids
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View over Kamakura's Sagami Bay coast from Hase-dera (Kamakura)
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Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū and the dankazura during the Edo period
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Portrait traditionally believed to be of Minamoto no Yoritomo, but now believed to be of Ashikaga Tadayoshi
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The stele on the spot where Yoritomo's Ōkura Bakufu used to stand
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The Kamakura-fu at the time of its maximum expansion
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A 1685 illustration from the Shinpen Kamakurashi of the lot where the Kantō kubō's mansion once stood. It was left empty in the hope that he may one day return.
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The monument on the spot at Ryūkō-ji where Nichiren was saved from execution
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The statue of Amida Buddha at Kōtoku-in
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Visitors crowd the entrance way of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū
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Sasuke Inari Shrine's entrance
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The parade during the Kamakura Festival
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The Ōmachi-side of the Shakadō Pass
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Hōjō Masako's yagura at Jufuku-ji. Her ashes are not actually there, as they were lost centuries ago.
See also
In Spanish: Kamakura (Kanagawa) para niños
