Written by TC Team
Every year in September, Kamakura’s most famous shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangū hosts a grand festival. Having started around 800 years ago, 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 2025
Here are the highlights of the festival:
Suggested Activity
Sumo Morning Practice Tour at Stable in Tokyo
Try this insider’s experience at a sumo wrestler morning practice session. Enjoy exclusive access to a sumo stable, watching as these massive athletes put themselves through their daily training regimen and go head-to-head.
- Yoimiya Festival: An evening ceremony which signals the start of the grand festival
- Shinko Festival: A mikoshi (portable shrine) procession
- Yabusame Ritual: A horseback archery demonstration
- Suzumushi Release Festival: Shinto ritual in which bell crickets are released
September 14 (Sat.)
September 15 (Mon.)
September 16 (Tue.)
How to get there
To get Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Grand Festival, take the JR Yokosuka Linke or JR Shonan Shinjuku Line to Kamakura Station. From there, it is a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take the Enoshima Electric Railway to Enoshima Electric Railway 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, 2025
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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)
Typical weather at this time:
High: 32 ºC
Low: 27 ºC
