What it is
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū is the shrine at the heart of Kamakura, the city Minamoto no Yoritomo made Japan’s first samurai capital. Yoritomo is said to have held mounted archery here in 1187, and the shrine has kept the tradition as an offering to Hachiman, the guardian of warriors.
During the shrine’s annual festival, riders in Kamakura-period hunting dress gallop at full speed along a track beside the approach, drawing and loosing arrows at three wooden targets. Each hit is greeted by a roar from the crowd.
Kami of this festivalHachimanThe kami of archery and protection, guardian of the samurai and of the nation. Tens of thousands of Hachiman shrines stand across Japan. Read the story →The festival at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sep 16, afternoon | Yabusame: Riders gallop along the track beside the shrine approach and shoot at three targets |
Which day should you go?
Sep 16
Arrive by late morning to find a spot along the track, or book a paid seat.
What to look for
The riders
Archers wear the hunting dress of the Kamakura period, with deerskin leggings and wide hats.
The targets
Three small wooden boards on posts. A hit shatters them with a crack.
The track
A straight course of about 260 meters along the shrine approach.
Getting there & where to stay
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station | JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura | about 1 h |
| Shinjuku | JR Shōnan-Shinjuku Line to Kamakura | about 1 h |
On the day. Tsurugaoka Hachimangū is about 10 minutes on foot from Kamakura Station. The yabusame starts in the early afternoon.
Crowds. Spots along the archery course fill several hours before it starts. Paid seats are limited.
Where to stay
Day trip from Tokyo
Kamakura is an easy day trip.
Kamakura
Stay to see the temples in the quiet early morning.
When to book. Kamakura is busy on weekends. Book 1 month ahead.
Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.
Practical tips
- Crowds. Spots along the track fill early. The view is limited from behind the front rows.
- Spring too. Yabusame is also performed in April during the Kamakura Festival.
- Combine. Visit the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in and walk Komachi-dōri shopping street.
Glossary
Yabusame流鏑馬
Mounted archery, in which a rider at full gallop shoots arrows at wooden targets beside a track. It is performed as an offering to the kami.
Matsuri祭り
A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.
References
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, official website: annual festivals.
- Kamakura City Tourism Association.
Last checked 2026-10-12.