Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a Shinto shrine located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the most important and significant shrines in the country, with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the Shinto god of war and the patron deity of the samurai.

The shrine was originally founded in 1063 by Minamoto Yoriyoshi, but it was Minamoto Yoritomo, the founder and first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, who moved the shrine to its current location in 1180. Yoritomo established Kamakura as the de facto capital of Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu became the symbolic center of the city.

The shrine is situated at the end of Wakamiya Oji, a long approach lined with cherry trees. The main structures include the Maiden (or Maiden’s Hall), the Wakamiya Shrine, and the Hongu (main shrine). The main hall, or Hongu, is reached by a long flight of stone steps, and it is characterized by its distinctive architectural style, featuring a combination of Shinto and Buddhist elements.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu hosts several annual festivals, the most famous of which is the Yabusame Shinji. Yabusame is a traditional Japanese archery practice that involves mounted archers shooting at wooden targets while riding at high speed. This event is usually held in April during the cherry blossom season.