Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine originally began in 1063 (Kōhei 6) when Minamoto no Yoriyoshi celebrated his victory over Taira no Tadazumi by secretly inviting the deity from the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto to be enshrined near the Yuigahama beach (currently where Moto Hachiman stands). About 120 years later, in 1180 (Jishō 4), when Minamoto no Yoritomo, a descendant of Yoriyoshi, entered Kamakura, he built a shrine on the northern mountain of Kobayashi Village (near the current Shimohaiden) to honor his ancestors and restored the Yuigahama Shrine. After a fire in 1191 (Kenkyū 2), Yoritomo opened up the mountainside behind and, having invited the spirit of Iwashimizu Hachimangu anew, he established Tsurugaoka Hachimangu as we see its upper and lower shrines today. The enshrined deities are the three pillars: Emperor Ojin (Hachiman Daikami), Empress Jingū, and the goddess Hime.

Yoritomo placed the Hachimangu Shrine in the position equivalent to the imperial palace in Heian-kyo, while constructing his residence and shogunate far to the east, demonstrating his devotion to the shrine. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu became the spiritual center for Kamakura warriors, where important policies of the shogunate were often executed based on consultations with the deity. Because Yoritomo believed in Hachimangu, many warriors across the country followed his example, leading to the establishment of numerous Hachimangu shrines nationwide.

Even after Yoritomo's death, prominent figures such as the Hojo clan, the Ashikaga clan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Tokugawa clan, the highest powers of their respective times, worked to restore and rebuild the shrine, which continues to be a symbol of reverence throughout the ages. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu was not only the guardian deity of the Kamakura shogunate but also the center of religious policy, hosting various official ceremonies, making it one of the most important shrines.

The tradition of the first shrine visit, believed to have been initiated by Yoritomo, continues today, with various traditional events held throughout the year. Among these, the grand festival, which traces back to the important religious event called Hōjōgai, is held every September and includes the dedication of yabusame (horseback archery).

The large ginkgo tree next to the great stone steps, which has watched over Kamakura's history, fell due to strong winds in the early morning of March 10, 2010 (Heisei 22), but new shoots have since grown and been transplanted nearby, alongside the sacred tree (parent ginkgo). A part of its trunk can be seen up close inside the Kamakura Museum of Modern Art.