This morning having walked Yohohama Old Town in the humidity and drizzle (which I was supposed to do yesterday on arrival) along with my luggage I wanted to drop my luggage in a station locker before more walking this afternoon in Kamakura.

Like Kyoto Kamakura has more than a dozen temples spread around the city and surroundings you could spend a day or two exploring. Using my guide I picked out the five most important and planned a walking route. I went first to Yokohama station to drop my luggage but all the lockers were full.

Making use of my JR pass which was valid from today I took the train out to Kamakura hoping to find a locker there. As I paid extra for the Green Car pass I was able to sit in First Class which was empty.

Unfortunately the rains started coming down heavy. As we reached Kita-Kamakura which was just a roadside train track I decided to go into town to Kamakura main station to look for lockers.

The lockers were full again but I found one the other side of the station barrier for 300Y ($4) so I had to ask the guard to let me back in since the JR pass does not allow me to goto that section of the station which wasnt a JR line.

With luggage ditched I went back one stop to Kita-Kamakura where I was supposed to start. This is just a roadside track and we had to wait for the train to pass before walking across the tracks to the north side where the temple was.

Entrance to this temple was 300Y ($4) but the rain was quite steady. I'm always cursed with rain on my travels.

It would have been nice to explore had it not been raining. It was a collection of buildings around the grounds similar to Korean Temples.

Walking back along the tracks I headed further into town towards Kencho-ji Temple. Entrance was again 300Y ($4) and they had a sign banning any Pokemon!

This was similar in layout to the first temple but the temples were a bit more elaborate.

There was a rear garden complex that can be viewed only from a terrace. It was nice to have a break from the rain for a few minutes and to sit down.

The rain waits for me when I travel and I made my way towards the main part of town for the next temple Hachiman-gu.

This was different in design, orange, and had a long grand staircase leading up. You could pay 200Y ($2.50) to go inside the rear terrace but I skipped as it didnt seem like much.

In the pavilion by the entrance a wedding ceremony was taking place. Aside from being a public spectacle it was unfortunate for the couple the weather was so bad today. It reminded me of Korean weddings and there were flute players as part of the ceremonies.

At the base of the grand staircase was a giant arch leading to a long pedestrian blvd leading out towards the sea.

This was an elevated footpath with trees which is scenic but not helpful for tourist shops either side as the path is separated from the street. I've seen this footpath design in Soviet countries.

There was supposed to be the City Museum by the temple but the footpath had distracted me and led me away. The path ends at Kamakura Station in the town centre where I was to detour right to get to the next temple.

Diabutsa (The Great Buddha) is probably the most famous and most photographed among foreigners. Built in 1252 AD, this was however another 1.9km walk from Kamakura station taking the route I was on.

Eventually my legs made it after all the walking today hence the need to drop my bags. Entrance was 200Y ($2.50) but for an extra 20Y (.25 cents) you could go inside. I stood inline but was disappointed.

It was very small and cramped and nothing to see. I was expecting like the big buddha in Taiwan where it was decorated and a coloured shrine inside.

(see inside Taiwan's Great Buddha http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-en tries/londone7/24/1360007225/tpod.html)

Outside was a kebab shop for some much needed energy. I walked up and down by the Hasa tram station trying to find the temple. I was tired and had done so much walking today I was ready to give up and just take the tram back.

I consulted my guide which did say it was worth going so I found some energy and eventually found it. Entrance was 300Y ($4).

First there was an outside stone garden with many small stone statues. My guide says this is for dead children or abortions. So far this was different from the other temples so worth it.

The temple is not a flat layout and you have to climb stairs to goto each level part of why I was thinking of backing out originally. There were two different gold shrines. The second was quite tall about 3 stories.

From here there was a panorama city view and several small outdoor shrines of different types. There was a small cave entrance you had to crouch to get in.

This was a hidden surprise and the best part of the temple. There was a grotto with many carved statues in alcoves and several other cave rooms. I cant believe I almost passed up this temple thinking I was too tired!!

Speaking of tired I had to take the tram back as there was nothing left in me to walk 2km back to Kamakura station. Tram fare was 190Y ($3).

For those planning to visit the walking route I took might be over ambitious. To save in walking I would suggest goto Kamakura main station and take the tram direct to Hase Station. From there you can walk to Hasa-dera temple and Diabutsu the Great Buddha.

From Kamakura station you can also walk up the pedestrian blvd to Hachiman-gu the orange temple and museum which I missed.

The first two temples I visited would involve more walking and a train ride one way to Kita-Kamakura and maybe left for the most enthusiastic visitors.