Written by TC Team
Every year in September, Kamakura’s most famous shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangū hosts a grand festival. Having started more than 800 years ago — the rites date back to 1187 — this festival holds great significance and offers a rare opportunity to see Shinto traditions firsthand.
What happens?
This festival takes place across 3 consecutive days, with there being a variety of religious ceremonies and cultural events.
Schedule
Here are the highlights of the festival:
Suggested Activity
Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl
Sample local cuisine at the best hole-in-the-wall eateries, experience quirky bars in the Golden Gai area and take a stroll (that's all) through the infamous red-light district
- Yoimiya Festival (6 p.m.): An evening ceremony which signals the start of the grand festival
- Grand Festival rites (10 a.m.): The main ceremony of the three days
- Shinkō Festival (1 p.m.): A mikoshi (portable shrine) procession
- Yabusame Ritual (1 p.m.): A horseback archery demonstration by the Ogasawara school, and the highlight of the three days
- Suzumushi Release Festival: Shinto ritual in which bell crickets are released
September 14
September 15
September 16
How to get there
To get to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Grand Festival, take the JR Yokosuka Line or JR Shōnan–Shinjuku Line to Kamakura Station. From there, it is a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) to Kamakura Station and walk 10 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
Sep 14–Sep 16, 2027
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6:00am – 9:00pm
鶴岡八幡宮例大祭
Free
Official site
⚠️ Link in Japanese
- 0.8 km from Kamakura Station Yokosuka Line (JO13)Enoshima Electric Railway (EN15)
- 1.6 km from Wadazuka Station Enoshima Electric Railway (EN14)
