What other travelers are saying about Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
It’s a nice shrine just like others. I like that it’s on the hill so you can see the view of dankazura. The temple itself is not really big but it’s surrounded with trees. The atmosphere is nice. But it was so crowded, so it doesn’t feel calm or peaceful. However, the temple is not far from the JR station. You can walk through the street food which makes this trip more enjoyable.
We visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and really enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful and peaceful shrine surrounded by nature. The atmosphere felt calm and relaxing. I was also happy to find some street food stalls near the entrance the snacks were delicious and made the visit even better!
The shrine is really popular. Since we came on Saturday, there's a lot of tourist. Even some children from different schools were sightseeing at this time. We are so glad that we got a chance to see a wedding ceremony. It was really amazing to see how the traditional wedding goes. You can also go inside the shrine. There are some stalls that sells tanghulu and accessories. The place is pretty crowded so it is recommended to go on a weekdays. The shrine was also highly maintained.
I highly recommend visiting this shrine, especially during the early morning hours. I arrived around 8 AM and it was nearly empty, making the entire experience incredibly peaceful and calming. The views around the shrine are fantastic absolutely gorgeous in every direction and the serenity adds to the overall impact.
From this location, it’s also very easy to visit another nearby shrine, so you can enjoy both in one outing. Entry is completely free; you do not need a ticket to access the grounds. However, once you’re inside the main shrine, be mindful not to take any photos. There are signs clearly indicating this, and if you miss them, someone nearby will likely remind you.
The energy of this place felt very tranquil and grounding. I took my time strolling through the area, enjoying the stillness and beauty. The flowers surrounding the shrine were in full bloom and made everything even more stunning. This was a 10 out of 10 experience, and I absolutely recommend stopping here before moving on to the next shrine nearb
Nice shrine, but didn't necessarily stand out from others we have seen. But i have to say, the man drawing the goshuins was super kind. There were lots of school children going on a class trip, this was fun to see.
The shrine is about a 10-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station. From Tokyo, take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station, which takes about an hour. If coming from the Enoshima area, take the Enoden Line.
The main hall sits on top of a long staircase, giving a great view of Kamakura. The Genpei Pond, with two sides, represents the Minamoto and Taira clans. The Maiden Stage is used for performances and ceremonies. The shrine also has many smaller buildings and sacred areas to explore.
The biggest event is the Reitaisai Festival every September 14–16, which features Yabusame, a samurai-style horseback archery show. Many people also visit for New Year’s prayers and other seasonal festivals in spring and autumn.
Spring (March-April) is great for cherry blossoms, while autumn (November) brings beautiful red and yellow leaves. The September festival is a good time to see traditional samurai rituals, but it can be crowded.
