Day Trip out of Tokyo, Tokyo

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From the JR Kamakura Station, we changed onto another line - the Enoshima Electric Railway (also known as 'Enoden') to visit the island of Enoshima. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

The small island is actually dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of music and entertainment. It is said that this goddess made the island rise from the bottom of the sea in the 6th century.

The sunset over the island (as seen from the bridge) is a pretty sight, and the train ride on the Enoden was also scenic as it moves along the shoreline.

We were tired of being in the city surrounded by so many people so we decided to take a day trip to Kamakura. The train was very easy to take and it was easy to find. The Kamakura station is located right in the downtown of this nice historic town. We stopped by the tourist office and picked up a map and mapped out where we planned on going. We immediately hit a few of the big shrines because we knew there would be crowds. We spent about half the day walking around following the map and looking for new places, but after awhile each place starts to look the same. So we wanted to see the big buddha Daibutsu before getting back on the train. While looking at the map we noticed that we could get there by the Daibutsu hiking course which would take us off the main roads and deliver us to the entrance to the big Buddha.
We were a little confused at first looking for the entrance to to the hiking path, but it's located behind the Jochi-ji. It was a beautiful day and long walk on a wooded path that went through the forest, by some cute homes located on the hillside and some off the beaten path shrines.
Te hike took us longer than expected and we got to the big buddha after they closed the gates to new visitors. But we saw it from afar and the hike was itself was the best part of our day.

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If you fancy a day at the races whilst visiting Tokyo, and there is no racing being held at Tokyo racecourse in Fuchu City, got to Nakayama. It is easier to get to, too. Take the Tozai Metro Line to the last stop Nishi-Funabashi, change on to the JR Musashino Line and go one stop to Funabashi-Hoten. Once there, just follow the crowds and you wont get lost. There is an underground tunnel, which has sections of moving walkway, leading from Funabashi-Hoten station directly to the racecourse, and takes 5-10 mins depending on how quickly you walk. Entry to the course costs Y200, this gets you into the main groundlevel concourse, the paddock and the betting and food halls. Seats upstairs in the grandstand cost from Y2000 to Y5000.
There is 'dirt' flat-racing as well as 'turf' flat-racing and most meetings combine a mixture of both. Jump racing is also held here. There is usually 12 races during a meeting. Some of Japan's prestigious races are held at Nakayama; the Japanese 2000 Guineas for instance.
Betting is done only through the 'Tote system' and the minimum bet is Y100. There are betting 'windows' and betting machines.
Plenty of food outlets if you feel peckish, all selling yummy food at reasonable prices.
Even smokers are catered for with smoking lounges inside the main concourse, smoking outside is permitted on the main concourse.
If you fancy going racing in Tokyo, or elsewhere in Japan, visit the Japanese Racing Association (JRA) website, this will inform you when and where racing is taking place on any given day. It will also explain in English how to fill in the Tote betting slips. (I printed it out and took it with me) JRA meetings are only held on Saturday and Sunday. Weekday racing is organised by the National Racing Association (NRA) which are local government tracks.
So, if you have an afternoon to spare, and are feeling particularly lucky (after being blessed with the smoke at the shrine in Asakusa) give Nakayama Racecourse a visit.