A day (and therapy) with Daibutsu, Japan

Whilst in Japan last summer, I had the most unexpected experience which led to me failing off the grid for two and a half months. With the help of copious pots of sencha, sleep and yoga, somehow I survived. Slightly dramatic but sometimes life is like that. It’s weird how extreme emotions, at least for me, draw you back to your childhood. All I wanted to do was to go to church; to be surrounded by ornate emblems of religious expression, centuries old stonework, exquisite stainless glass windows, the cool feeling of the wooden benches and the gentle glow of dozens of candles in the distance. But alas, that was not to be. So I did the next best thing: I hopped on a train in 33 °C and went to Kamakura.

I’d been before and remember the sense of calm, inner peace and somehow, a collective connection to those around me. It was very early in the morning, I was a bit of a mess and hadn’t eaten in days but somehow, as soon as I arrived in front of Daibutsu (Giant Buddha), I felt stronger and positive. Childhood grounding done good!

Surrounded by temples, shrines and the most exquisite Hydrangea gardens (further blog posts in the making…), the Great Buddha of Kamakura dates back to 1252 and I have no doubt it will long remain a jewel of Japan’s. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, this is a must see. The sheer size will amaze you and trust me, the inner peace is evident to all, not just those in crisis! It’s funny how seemingly negative experiences can lead to wonderful memories.