Risshū-sai
The Risshū Festival at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū is a ceremony that began in 1950 to give thanks for safety during the summer and to report to the deities the coming of the fruitful autumn.
It is a Shinto ritual that celebrates the season of harvest and expresses gratitude for well-being throughout the summer. Crickets in small cages are offered before the deities, and the ceremony is conducted at the Maiden (dance pavilion) of the shrine.
Event Schedule
The ritual will be held at the Maiden stage from 5:00 p.m.
Before it begins, I recommend visiting the main shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu to offer your prayers, and then heading to the Maiden.
After the chief priest’s recitation of prayers, a sacred dance performed by shrine maidens (miko) will take place.
The ceremony can be viewed from four different sides, so moving around allows you to enjoy the performance from various angles.
Please note that the miko dance ends around 5:30 p.m., so be sure to keep that in mind.
Japanese traditional dance
If you wait for a little while, the shrine maidens will begin lighting the bonbori lanterns. Lighting around 400 lanterns is quite a task!
Once all the lanterns are lit and it gets dark, traditional Japanese dances are performed on the maiden stage. This is also a must-see.
Please note that this information is based on past events, so be sure to check for updates regarding 2025.
Useful Information
The restrooms within the grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine are located in several places.
The restroom at the rest area next to Maiden is relatively crowded.Personally, I think the hidden gem is the restroom inside the National Treasure Hall. It’s relatively unknown, so it tends to be less crowded. However, it’s only available to those who have visited the National Treasure Hall.
This is an English guidebook to Kamakura and Enoshima. We hope you enjoy discovering the beauty and history of Kamakura!
Kamakura & Enoshima: A Japan Guide to Nature, Culture, and Community
Access
鶴岡八幡宮
Exit Kamakura Station East Gate and either walk along Komachi Street or go straight to Wakamiya Ōji Avenue and take Dankazura—both routes are recommended. It’s about a 10-minute walk.
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM (year-round)
Address: 2-1-31 Yuki-no-shita, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine Office: TEL: 0467-22-0315
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