Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shobu Matsuri (Iris Festival)
A traditional Shinto ceremony held annually on May 5 (Children's Day) at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura. Iris (shobu) has been believed to ward off evil spirits since ancient times, and this festival prays for good health and longevity. After the ceremony at the Maiden (dance hall) at 1 PM, bugaku (court dance and music) is performed to gagaku music. Yellow irises bloom around the Heike Pond, offering early summer charm in Kamakura.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shobu Matsuri (Iris Festival) に関する情報をみんなで持ち寄りましょう。
Event Info
auto_awesomeHighlights
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The bugaku dance performance at the Maiden hall is the main highlight. The gagaku music and solemn dancing offer a rare chance to experience Japanese traditional performing arts passed down from the Heian period. Yellow irises and fresh greenery around the Genpei Pond create a beautiful harmony with the historic shrine buildings.
history_eduHistory & Origins
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Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was relocated to its current site by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1180 as the guardian deity of the Kamakura Shogunate. The Iris Festival is deeply connected to samurai culture since the Kamakura period, as 'shobu' (iris) is a homophone of 'shobu' (martial valor).
event_repeatPast Editions
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The first Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day) ceremony was held on May 5, 1187 (Bunji 3), as recorded in the Azuma Kagami chronicle. This festival inherits the tradition of the iris festival held at the Imperial Court since the Heian period, with approximately 840 years of history.
directionsAccess
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10 min walk from JR Yokosuka Line Kamakura Station east exit; 10 min walk from Enoshima Electric Railway Kamakura Station. Paid parking available within the shrine grounds (limited spaces).
groupsCrowd Forecast
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May 5 falls during Golden Week, so all of Kamakura is crowded. The ceremony starts at 1 PM, so secure a spot in front of the Maiden hall by noon.
hotelBook a hotel in 神奈川県 鎌倉市 earlyPRchecklistTips & What to Bring
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Free to enter the shrine grounds and watch the Iris Festival. Bring a hat and water as it can get hot during Golden Week.
Get Ready
Prepare for this festival
PR一休.com / じゃらん遊び・体験
10/19〜10/25、
神奈川おすすめ
いちばんの注目は愛川町ふるさとまつり。
秋のうまいもの
雨の日でも楽しめる
家族で楽しむ
Visitor Report
A traditional ceremony held annually on May 5 at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Iris has been used to ward off evil since ancient times, and samurai valued it because 'shobu' sounds like 'martial valor.' The ceremony at the Maiden hall at 1 PM and the bugaku dance are the main attractions. During Golden Week, the shrine is bustling with visitors combining the festival with Kamakura sightseeing. The solemn bugaku performed in the hall is a living example of Japan's traditional performing arts.
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