Kamakura, capital of Japan¡¯s first shogunate (1185-1333), once angled for a UNESCO-shaped stamp of approval. Under the title ¡°Kamakura, Home of the Samurai¡± there were a number of landmarks included in the proposal. It was roundly rejected by UNESCO in 2013, who concluded that ¡°tangible testimonies of the places of shogunal power, other than the temples, are few in number and are often rather inexplicit.
¡°The Medieval city of the plain is absent ... and today has been overlain by 20th century urban development.¡±
And, after seeing the Daibutsu ¡ª the city¡¯s famed 13-meter tall bronze statue of Amida Buddha ¡ª it¡¯s easy to feel that Kamakura falls flat. Souvenir shops, food, entrance fees, tour groups: At first glance this seems to be it.
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