Kamakura’s festival calendar is anchored by the week-long Kamakura Festival in April and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Grand Festival in September, both featuring the dramatic spectacle of yabusame (samurai horseback archery). The city also marks seasonal flower blooms, including cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in June, and autumn foliage in November, often with temple illuminations. Unlike Kyoto, Kamakura’s events are more local in scale, which means smaller crowds and easier access, though hotels still fill up during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage peaks. Most events are free to attend, though some temples charge special admission during illuminations.
Kamakura Events and Festivals: Spring (March to May)
Kamakura Festival (Second Sunday of April, Week-Long)
The Kamakura Festival is the city’s largest annual event, centered on Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and locations around the city. The highlight is the yabusame demonstration, where archers in traditional Kamakura-period samurai costume shoot at three wooden targets while riding a galloping horse along the shrine’s main approach. This takes place on the second Sunday of April. Throughout the week, there are mikoshi (portable shrine) processions, traditional dance performances, and a parade of participants in historical costumes from the Genpei War period (1180-1185). Most events are free. Arrive at the shrine by 10:00 for a good viewing spot for yabusame. For transport and what to expect, see our travel tips guide. Combine your visit with cherry blossom viewing, as the festival coincides with peak bloom.
Cherry Blossom Viewing (Late March to Early April)
While not a formal festival, cherry blossom season transforms Kamakura’s temple grounds and parks. The best viewing spots are Tsurugaoka Hachimangu’s Dankazura walkway, Genjiyama Park, and the approach to Kencho-ji Temple. Some temples extend hours or host small tea ceremonies during the peak bloom week. Expect the largest crowds at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu on weekends. The exact bloom dates shift by about one week each year; the Japan Meteorological Corporation releases forecasts in January and updates them weekly from March onward. For weather conditions during this period, see our Kamakura weather by month guide.
Kamakura Events and Festivals: Summer (June to August)
Hydrangea Festival at Meigetsu-in and Hase-dera (June)
June transforms Meigetsu-in Temple (nicknamed Ajisai-dera, the Hydrangea Temple) and Hase-dera Temple into flower-viewing destinations. Meigetsu-in’s main approach is lined with over 2,500 hydrangea bushes blooming in a spectrum from pale blue through deep purple. Hase-dera’s hillside hydrangea path offers framed ocean views behind the flower clusters. Both temples charge standard admission (300 yen and 400 yen respectively). Meigetsu-in opens at 8:30 and queues can form by 9:00 on weekends; visit on a weekday morning. The blooms typically peak from June 10 to June 25, though exact timing depends on spring temperatures. Rain is almost guaranteed (June averages 190 mm), so bring an umbrella and expect muddy paths. For more temple options during this season, see our things to do guide.
Kamakura Fireworks Festival (Late July)
Held annually on a Saturday evening in late July (exact date announced in May), the Kamakura Fireworks Festival launches approximately 2,500 fireworks from a barge anchored off Yuigahama Beach. The show runs from 19:20 to 20:10. The best viewing spots are on Yuigahama and Zaimokuza beaches, which fill up from late afternoon. Arrive by 16:00 to secure a spot with a beach sheet. The Enoden railway and local buses are extremely crowded after the event; walking back to Kamakura Station takes about 20-25 minutes along the coastal road. Food stalls line the beach area from early evening. The event is free. For accommodation recommendations near the viewing area, see where to stay in Kamakura.
Kamakura Events and Festivals: Autumn (September to November)
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai Grand Festival (September 14-16)
This three-day grand festival at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron deity of samurai. The centerpiece is another yabusame horseback archery performance on September 16, similar to the one during the April Kamakura Festival but with a more solemn and religious tone. Daytime activities include kagura (sacred dance), tea ceremony offerings, and martial arts demonstrations including kyudo (Japanese archery) and kendo. Most ceremonies take place in the main shrine precinct and are free to observe. The festival can coincide with the tail end of typhoon season; check the forecast and have a backup indoor plan using our rainy day tips.
Autumn Foliage Viewing (Mid-November to Early December)
Kamakura’s Japanese maple trees reach peak color from around November 20 to December 5, with Engaku-ji Temple, Kencho-ji Temple, and Meigetsu-in as the top viewing locations. Engaku-ji’s approach path is lined with maples that create a tunnel of red and orange, while Kencho-ji’s Sanmon gate framed by foliage is one of the city’s most photographed scenes. Some temples offer evening illuminations (typically 17:00 to 19:00, with a separate admission fee of 500-800 yen) on select weekends in late November, though the schedule varies year to year. Crowds are concentrated on weekends. For hiking combined with foliage, the Daibutsu Trail passes through forested sections with scattered maple trees. Check November weather conditions before heading out.
Kamakura Events and Festivals: Winter (December to February)
Hatsumode at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (January 1-3)
Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the new year, draws massive crowds to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The approach path and the 61 stone steps leading to the main hall become a slow-moving queue with wait times of 30-90 minutes on January 1. The shrine stays open overnight on December 31 into January 1 and operates extended hours through January 3. Food stalls (yatai) selling yakitori, takoyaki, and sweet sake line the approaches, creating a festival atmosphere. Smaller temples like Hokoku-ji and Engaku-ji offer quieter alternatives. Public transport runs on a reduced holiday schedule during this period, and many small restaurants close from December 29 to January 4. For transport options during the New Year period, see our travel tips guide.
Setsubun Bean-Throwing Festival (February 3)
Setsubun marks the end of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar. Temples including Hase-dera and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu hold bean-throwing ceremonies (mamemaki) where roasted soybeans are tossed into crowds to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune. Celebrity guests and sumo wrestlers sometimes participate at larger temples. Events are typically held in the late morning to early afternoon and are free to attend. This is a quieter season for tourism, so you can combine the festival with crowd-free temple visits. For winter weather conditions (average highs of 10°C/50°F), see Kamakura weather by month. For more planning resources, see our Kamakura neighborhoods guide and Kamakura travel guide.
