Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 鎌倉まつり（かまくらまつり）
• The Kamakura Festival (Kamakura Matsuri)

History

The Kamakura Matsuri（鎌倉まつり, Kamakura Matsuri）is a major spring event in Kamakura, held since 1959（昭和34年, Shōwa 34-nen）as the opening event of the tourist season. It mainly takes place around the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine（鶴岡八幡宮, Tsurugaoka Hachimangū）, the historical heart of the city, and showcases a "Kamakura" of traditions (processions, performing arts, tea culture) rather than a single matsuri focused on one deity.

Among the highlights, the Shizuka no Mai dance（静の舞, Shizuka no Mai）is inspired by the figure of Shizuka Gozen（静御前, Shizuka Gozen）, a famous shirabyōshi（白拍子, shirabyōshi）linked to the stories of Minamoto no Yoshitsune（源義経, Minamoto no Yoshitsune）and Minamoto no Yoritomo（源頼朝, Minamoto no Yoritomo）in Kamakura’s imagination. Depending on the year, the program adapts (weather, attendance, health context): in 2020 the event was canceled, and in 2021–2022 it was held in greatly reduced formats with recording and online streaming of the dance.

Location and Date of the Event

• Location: mainly around the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine（鶴岡八幡宮, Tsurugaoka Hachimangū）and the Wakamiya Ōji（若宮大路, Wakamiya Ōji）axis in Kamakura; some activities (tea) may also take place at the Kōtoku-in Temple（高徳院, Kōtoku-in）.
• Address: 〒248-8588 神奈川県鎌倉市雪ノ下2-1-31（Tsurugaoka Hachimangū）／2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-8588.
  〒248-0016 神奈川県鎌倉市長谷４丁目２番28号（Kōtoku-in）／4-2-28 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-0016.
• Date: generally mid-April, during the period from the 2nd Sunday to the 3rd Sunday of April (with highlights concentrated on the opening Sunday and the following weekend).
  Recent example: April 13, 19, and 20, 2025.

Schedule

The Kamakura Matsuri combines a festive atmosphere with the promotion of heritage. The focal point is the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū（鶴岡八幡宮, Tsurugaoka Hachimangū）, where visitors come as much to "see Kamakura" (costumes, arts, traditions) as to feel the spirit of the city at the start of the high season.

On the opening Sunday, the Gyōretsu Junkō procession（行列巡行, Gyōretsu Junkō）usually proceeds up Wakamiya Ōji（若宮大路, Wakamiya Ōji）to the shrine grounds (dense crowds, very lively atmosphere with hayashi／囃子, hayashi, and local groups). In the afternoon, the Shizuka no Mai dance（静の舞, Shizuka no Mai）is performed at the shrine’s Maiden（舞殿, maiden）, often preceded by a brief program explanation（解説, kaisetsu）.

The following weekend, the event often highlights tea culture through outdoor tea seats Nodate（野点席, nodate-seki）(depending on the year, at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū and/or Kōtoku-in（高徳院, Kōtoku-in）). During the same period, a highly anticipated highlight can be the Yabusame（流鏑馬, yabusame）held at the shrine (present some years, absent others): horseback archery on the yabusame track（流鏑馬馬場, yabusame-baba）.

Practical Tips

Photos

For the procession（行列巡行, Gyōretsu Junkō）, aim for the Wakamiya Ōji（若宮大路, Wakamiya Ōji）axis a little upstream from the arrival at the shrine: you will get more "open" shots before the crowd crush near the grounds. For Shizuka no Mai（静の舞, Shizuka no Mai）, arrive very early: seats with a view of the Maiden（舞殿, maiden）fill up quickly. A telephoto lens helps a lot (and keep a wide shot backup on your smartphone). For Yabusame（流鏑馬, yabusame）, prioritize a high shutter speed and stay behind the safety ropes.

Weather

Mid-April in Kamakura is often mild but changeable (possible showers, sea breeze). Plan a layered strategy (light top + small jacket) and comfortable shoes for standing a long time. A compact rain protection is a real plus, even if the morning is fine.

Transport

Access is very convenient by train: JR Yokosuka Line／Shōnan-Shinjuku Line to Kamakura（鎌倉駅, Kamakura-eki）, then walk. For Kōtoku-in（高徳院, Kōtoku-in）, the Enoden（江ノ電, Eno-den）to Hase（長谷駅, Hase-eki）is easiest. Expect crowded trains on weekends: aim for an early departure and recharge your IC card before arriving.

Visitor Tips

To really enjoy it, choose a "1 highlight + stroll" approach rather than trying to do everything: procession + Shizuka on the opening Sunday, or nodate + Daibutsu（大仏, daibutsu）the following weekend. A useful phrase to ask for a good spot: “Doko de miru no ga ichiban desu ka?”（どこで見るのが一番ですか？, Doko de miru no ga ichiban desu ka?）.

What to Bring

Cash (for stands, small purchases), portable charger, poncho or mini umbrella, microfiber cloth to wipe lens/screen, and possibly a small blanket or foldable cushion if you plan to wait a long time for Shizuka no Mai（静の舞, Shizuka no Mai）.

Sources & References

• 【2025年4月】第67回鎌倉まつり（鎌倉観光公式ガイド／鎌倉市観光協会）

  Official reference page: usual period (2nd–3rd Sunday of April), description, and links to detailed pages (yabusame, procession, etc.).

• 〖鎌倉まつり〗静の舞 あらすじ（鎌倉市観光協会）

  Context and story of the Shizuka no Mai（静の舞）dance, with times/locations indicated for the current edition at the time of publication.

• 〖鎌倉まつり〗野点席とは（鎌倉市観光協会）

  Practical details of the nodate-seki（野点席）(times, locations, tea arrangements).

• 参拝案内（鶴岡八幡宮 公式）

  Official address, walking access from the station, and practical information for the main festival site.

• 拝観のご案内（鎌倉大仏殿高徳院 公式）

  Address and access (Enoden Hase, "Daibutsu-mae" bus) useful when the nodate is held at Kōtoku-in（高徳院）.

• 2024年4月14・21日＜第66回鎌倉まつり＞…（地域ニュース）

  Notes on the 2024 edition (dates, return of the procession, nodate held), useful to complement recent history.