鶴岡八幡宮

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu / Kamakura -- High on a hill, this was certainly the most imposing Shinto temple that Jamie W. and I came across in Kamakura. We walked on the long central promenade after wrapping up our edible adventures on Komachi Dori. After the entry torii gate, we came upon the Maiden Pavilion where the annual Shinto rituals are performed (photo: https://yelp.to/NYvY3NDRde).

Then it was up the steep stone stairway (photo: https://yelp.to/fkBhW4vaVS), a bit of a challenge on a sweltering day, to get to the Honten where worshippers pray at the entrance. It's forbidden to enter the temple, and they don't allow the taking of close-up photos of the outside. However, to the left of the main building was the Maruyama Inari Shrine where visitors were welcomed (photo: https://yelp.to/ZAuM4Jl4hM).

Although the architecture was quite impressive, I have to say the most memorable sights were the abundance of lotus plants and hungry carp at Genji Pond. You can buy a bag of bread crumbs and watch the voracious fish jump and shove each other away (photo: https://yelp.to/11i3Stnnbq). It was quite a scene that amused not only children but me, truly the survival of the fittest (video: https://yelp.to/SQPKnyM1t7).

RELATED - Exploring Japan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2qrUBZo

We visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu during a day trip to Kamakura a couple weeks back. It was a gorgeous temple, but to be perfectly honest, it was our last stop on a boiling hot Sunday, and none of us were trying to hang out for very long.

There was an attractive but very long, unshaded promenade leading up to the main shrine, followed by lots of stairs. I imagine this would've been lovely, and also much more crowded in good weather. There was plenty of greenery around, including a lush growth of lotus leaves in a pond on the way in (I'm looking at Wikipedia, and this appears to be one of two famous ponds attached to the temple, called the Genpei Ponds). I'm sure this is an amazing place to see cherry blossoms in bloom.

The temple is striking (and yes, the drama of that long walkway added to the effect). The original shrine is almost a thousand years old, and walking around the grounds, we could feel all that history. Unfortunately, we also felt the roasting September heat.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is a primary hub of Kamakura life, where festivals and other cultural events are held throughout the year. I live in the young state of California, so a place like this, where you can just hang out with your friends in the middle of such beauty and antiquity, strikes me as really special.

We had a great time in Kamakura, and I'd recommend both the town and this temple if you want to venture out of Tokyo. I'm very glad we visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, even if we didn't explore as much as we might have on a more temperate day.

The main tourist spot in Kamakura! I went there at night and in early morning to beat the crowds.

The night view is actually very pretty, and I felt like I could appreciate the magnificence of the Shrine even more at night.

This was my favorite attraction in all of Kamakura. It was just as nice as any of the temples in Kyoto. The main temple serves as a Shinto shrine, but for most of its history it was also used as a Buddhist temple. As a result, Buddhist characteristics are noticeable in its architecture. As you approach the temple grounds, there are several large torii gates.

Next, you'll see two large ponds are on either side of the approach and a small maiden shrine for worship. A garden where cherry blossoms bloom is also here. Then, you will have to walk up a great stone staircase to the main shrine. This place is simply a large and gorgeous sight to behold.

The shrine is easily accessible by public transport. It is only a ten minute walk from JR Kamakura Station.

Tsuruoka Hachimangu shrine is the most famous tourist spot in Kamakura.
Splendid and big main building.
Mysterious and very large precincts of the shrine.
Japanese style wedding at Maiden building.
Cool arch bridge.
All of them are really great.
I hope you visit to here and touch a Japanese tradition.

We can get "Goshuin" (handwritten sign and stamp of shrines and temples) at here.
If you want it, you should visit Goshuin window at the right side on the bottom of the staircase to the main building.
It's next to the shrine shop.
Goshuin charges 500 yen.
And, they have the original Goshuin collection books of this shrine, too.
It charges 1700 yen.
When you buy the collecting book at here, then you can start to collect Goshuin from here.

And more, there are some auxiliary shrines in the precincts.
Especially big one is Hataage Benzaiten shrine.
It's in the middle of Genpei pond.
This shrine enshrine Benzaiten god.
She brings your good luck for artistic creations and learnings.
She is one of Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Japan.
They are called "Shichifukujin".
And, there is the pilgrimage round as "Shichifukujin" on Kamakura area and Enoshima area.
This shrine is one place of the pligrimage round.
Also we can get Goshuin of this auxiliary shrine.
If you want it, you should visit the shrine shop at the right side by the auxiliary shrine.
It charges 300 yen.

Details about Goshuin is below.
http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html

鶴岡八幡宮は言わずと知れた鎌倉の有名な観光名所です。
大きくて素晴らしい本宮。
神秘的でとにかく広い境内。
舞殿で執り行われる結婚式。
どれもこれも素晴らしいです。
ぜひ一度は訪れてみて欲しいところです。

そして、ここ鶴岡八幡宮でも御朱印を頂戴する事が出来ます。
本宮へと続く階段の下、右側にある御朱印所で頂けます。
御朱印所は、授与所の右隣にあります。
初穂料は500円です。
また、鶴岡八幡宮オリジナルの御朱印帳も入手する事が出来ます。
御朱印帳は1700円でした。

この鶴岡八幡宮の境内にはいくつかの摂社、末社も鎮座しています。
特に大きくて有名なのは旗上弁財天社でしょう。
旗上弁財天社は源平池の真ん中にあります。
名称の通り、弁財天を祀っていて、この弁財天は鎌倉江の島七福神の1人になっています。
また、この鎌倉江の島七福神を巡る七福神巡りもあります。
この旗上弁財天社の御朱印もあり、こちらは旗上弁財天社右側にある授与所で頂戴する事が出来ます。
こちらの初穂料は300円でした。

御朱印については下記のリンク先にまとめてあります。
http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html

Even the promenade leading to the shrine was a joy. Before getting to the shrine from the train station, I got to experience a nice, relaxing stroll down this long street lined with shops of all sorts and strong bodies ready to give visitors a ride on their very posh and plush red Japanese Rickshaw (人力車). I am sure it would have been fun to ride in one but was on a clear mission to get to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine.

The day must have been incredibly auspicious as I witnessed quite a few traditional Japanese weddings being held at the shrine. After entering through the open courtyard, to the left you will see a bunch of white large sake drums often mistaken as lanterns by foreigners that were donated by various businesses and organizations. At the center is a beautiful multi-level open structure with food offerings being laid out for the wedding ceremony.

Up the long stone staircase resides the main shrine which was under renovation. Monks were chanting inside the shrine where people can pay to sit in and be "blessed".

I learned how to perform the prayer correctly with the help of my Japanese friend. First you face the alter where the deity/deities sat and then you stand straight and bow twice, then you extend your arms forward and clap your palms twice, say your prayers and then you take one last bow. I am just loving this!

Another interesting ritual I have noticed is that one can pay money to get their fortunes told. You receive a piece of paper detailing everything from career, relationships, transportation, etc. If you don't like what's being said, you can tie it to one of the wooden/bamboo rods which appear to be a large wooden panel with little knots tied to a bulletin board. This indicated that you did not like the fortune received and perhaps the shrine with its power can dis-spell your bad luck.

The surrounding gardens and structures were simply breath-taking! It's definitely a must when you are at Kamakura.

Kamakura is filled with stunning temples - the biggest and most famous being Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, which is a five minute walk from Kamakura Station. I'm slightly biased towards this temple, as this is the one I always go to to get my blessings (and my grandfather was a temple elder there when he was alive). Built in 1063, it is absolutely breathtaking. At New Year, around 30,000 people will gather to pay their respects, and it was absolutely rammed when I went. Being Japan, of course, it was the most civilised crowd ever, but if you are claustrophobic I strongly suggest not going there on January 1st!

Hachimangu is filled with interesting street food vendors, too - so it's worth checking them out if you're a fan of street food - Japanese street food is awesome.

There is a history here. You should come, feel and experience this atmosphere. July is the season for Lotus flower! So nice!!