U.S. President Barack Obama made a short visit to the ancient city of Kamakura on Sunday, a memorable site for him, and savored green tea ice cream before heading back to the United States after the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit.
Obama arrived at Kotokuin Temple in the afternoon to see the 11-meter-tall sitting statue of the Great Buddha, commonly known as the Kamakura Daibutsu. Many locals gathered along the roadside to welcome the U.S. leader.
Greeted by temple director Michiko Sato, 75, and Takao Sato, 47, the 15th chief monk of the temple, both clad in traditional Japanese robes, Obama shook hands with the two, told them of his childhood memory of visiting the Buddha and said he was delighted to pay a second visit.