Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Annual Festival

About this event

The Annual Festival of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the shrine's most important ritual, held annually over three days from September 14 to 16. On the first day, September 14, the Yoimiya Festival is held, where Shinto priests ascend the Grand Stone Staircase by lantern light to announce the next day's Annual Festival to the enshrined deities at the Main Hall. Within the shrine grounds, Japanese drum (wadaiko) and Kamakura bayashi performances as well as ceremonial tea offerings (kenchakai) are held, building excitement for the festival. On September 15, the Annual Festival is conducted, with a procession of priests, miko (shrine maidens), and yaotome heading to the Main Shrine, where sacred rites are solemnly performed at the Maiden (dance stage). In the afternoon, the Shinkosai festival is held, where three portable shrines (mikoshi) carrying the spirits of the deities proceed from the Main Shrine to the Second Torii Gate on Wakamiya Oji street. Alongside the mikoshi, a grand procession of people carrying lanterns, drums, bows, and flags marches through the streets, enlivening the festival. On September 16, the Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual is performed, where archers clad in hunting attire shoot at targets while galloping on horseback. In the afternoon, the Suzumushi Hojo-sai (cricket release ritual) is held to release crickets offered during the festival into nature, accompanied by gagaku court music and kagura dances at the Maiden. Particularly on September 15 during the Shinkosai, as the mikoshi procession departs from the grounds and parades along the prefectural road flanking the Dankazura east and west, heavy congestion is expected around the Third Torii Gate and Second Torii Gate intersections.

Venue

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-8588