Written by Shyam Bhardwa
Kamakura is renowned for its beautiful mountain and sea landscapes. Get a taste of this beauty and tradition when you visit the Gosho Shrine Annual Festival.
What to expect
The Gosho Shrine Annual Festival is a three-day event that commemorates the guardian shrine of the Zaimokuza area in Kamakura. A small, portable shrine (mikoshi) will be paraded through the streets, followed by floats and residents, and dipped into the sea at Zaimokuza Beach.
Schedule 2025
The biggest day will be Sunday when the portable shrine makes its way to the ocean. It takes place on the second Sunday of June each year.
June 7 (Sat.)
The mikoshi will be ferried around multiple local temples in the area from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
June 8 (Sun.)
Starting at 10 a.m., a festival ceremony will be held before the portable shrine is paraded through the Zaimokuza area from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don’t miss the 3:30 p.m. event where the shrine makes its way to Zaimokuza Beach for a dip.
June 10 (Tue.)
There’ll be a final dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. at Gosho Shrine’s main hall.
How to get there
The Gosho Shrine Annual Festival will be held at Gosho Shrine, the surrounding streets, and Zaimokuza Beach. The quickest way there is to take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station. From there, you can hop on a local bus to the shrine, or enjoy a 20-minute walk over. The beach is about a 10-minute walk from the shrine.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.