The ancient samurai capital of Kamakura keeps its warrior heritage alive through a year of vivid festivals centred on Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the great shrine at the heart of town. The most thrilling is yabusame — mounted archers in full medieval costume galloping down a track, firing arrows at targets — performed at the shrine’s spring and autumn festivals. Around these are portable-shrine processions, traditional dances, the New Year’s first-shrine-visit crowds, and the seaside beach festivals of summer. Watching these rituals against Kamakura’s backdrop of temples and forested hills is one of the most atmospheric experiences near Tokyo.

This guide covers yabusame, the main festivals, timing and how to get there.

🗓️ Quick Reference
Location Tsurugaoka Hachimangu & central Kamakura
Highlight Yabusame horseback archery
Main festivals Spring (Apr) & Reitaisai (mid-Sep)
Best time Festival days (book/arrive early)
Good for Culture, photography, samurai history

Yabusame horseback archery

  • Yabusame: archers in Kamakura-era costume gallop down a long track, shooting arrows at wooden targets.
  • Performed at the Kamakura Festival (April) and the Reitaisai grand festival (mid-September).
  • Arrive early for a good spot along the track — it draws big crowds.

Other festivals

  • Reitaisai (mid-Sep): the shrine’s biggest festival, with processions, mikoshi and rituals.
  • Bonbori Matsuri (early Aug): hundreds of paper lanterns light the shrine approach.
  • Hatsumode (New Year): huge crowds for the year’s first shrine visit.

Tips

  • Check exact dates each year — festival days shift slightly.
  • Come early and expect crowds and limited transport near the shrine.
  • Combine with Kamakura’s temples and Great Buddha to make a full day.

Combine your visit

Festivals pair with Kamakura’s sights:

How to get there

  • JR Yokosuka line to Kamakura Station, then a short walk up Wakamiya-oji to the shrine.
  • ~1 hour from Tokyo Station.