The most important festival of the year at Kamakura's Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, held over three days every year from September 14 to 16. On the 15th, three mikoshi (portable shrines) process along Wakamiya-oji in the Shinkosai procession, and on the 16th, archers in Kamakura-period dress shoot at targets from horseback in the ritual yabusame. Yabusame here is a tradition of about 800 years, dating back to the time of Minamoto no Yoritomo.
PRKlookKimono & Yukata Rental (Kamakura / by VASARA)Rent a kimono or yukata at a shop on Komachi-dori, with dressing and hair styling includedView on KlookPRKlookKamakura | Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street & Kamakura-Koko-Mae Day Tour from TokyoA day tour from Tokyo to Kamakura and Enoshima, including Tsurugaoka HachimanguView on KlookThe main highlight is the ritual yabusame on the 16th. It's thrilling to watch archers in hunting dress hit three targets in quick succession from galloping horses. At the Shinkosai procession on the 15th, you can see the time-honored sight of mikoshi and a procession with Yaotome shrine-maiden dancers making their way along Wakamiya-oji.
2026 example. Japanese taiko drum performance from 19:00
2026 example. Held at the main hall
2026 example. Three mikoshi process along Wakamiya-oji to the Second Torii
2026 example
2026 example
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
PRKlookKimono & Yukata Rental (Kamakura / by VASARA)Rent a kimono or yukata at a shop on Komachi-dori, with dressing and hair styling includedView on KlookPRKlookKamakura | Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street & Kamakura-Koko-Mae Day Tour from TokyoA day tour from Tokyo to Kamakura and Enoshima, including Tsurugaoka HachimanguView on Klook
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PR8.2Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
AquariumTokyo & Around ・ Kamakura & Enoshima
An aquarium on Katase Beach in Shonan. Centered on zones introducing the creatures of Sagami Bay, it features jellyfish, deep-sea creatures, dolphin shows, and more. It's just a 3-minute walk from Katase-Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Line, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in Enoshima and Kamakura.
JanuaryTokyo & Around ・ Hakone
Every year on January 2 (outbound) and January 3 (return)
103rd race: Jan 2, 2027 (Sat) outbound, Jan 3 (Sun) return
February–MarchTokyo & Around ・ Izu
Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February
February–DecemberTokyo & Around ・ Izu
Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)
Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)
March
April–MayTokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes
Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)
AprilTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April
MayTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)
MayTokyo & Around ・ Nikko
Every year on May 17 and 18 (fixed dates as a Shinto ritual)
2027: May 17 (Mon) – May 18 (Tue)
June
JulyTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
JulyTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year on July 9 and 10
Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)
AugustTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)
NovemberTokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes
Usually early to late November (about 3–4 weeks). The leaves are usually at their best in early to mid-November
2026: Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 29 (Sun)
NovemberTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day
2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)
November–FebruaryTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)
2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)
DecemberTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")
2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-09-30
