Doi Festival and Warrior Parade

Date: April 3 (Sun)
Location: Gosho-jinja Shrine to Yugawara Station and other locations, Yugawara-Town

This festival is a reenactment of when Jiro Sanehira Doi (whose stronghold was in Yugawara) brought his family to Minamoto no Yoritomo (the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate) to defeat the Taira Clan at the beginning of the 12th century. They departed from Izu and made military plans there before being deployed to the Battle of Ishibashiyama, but history tells that Yoritomo’s troops were defeated by the Taira Clan.
Approximately 70 people costumed in handmade armor parade through Yugawara based on historical fact. Events include calling of the names of the warriors going into battle, a departure ceremony, calling of the names of the warriors, “jomo no mai” dance, and a departure ceremony. A Jiro Sanehira Doi and Minamoto no Yoritomo memorial service, “jomo no mai” dance, grave visits, and other events will also be held at Jogan-ji Temple.

Due to the effects of the Tohoku earthquake, this event has been cancelled. However, the damage within Kanagawa Prefecture has been minimal, so we still recommend you come and visit.

37th Noge Street Performance

Date: April 23 (Sat) to April 24 (Sun)
Location: Naka-ku, Yokohama-City/the Noge shopping district

This event is planned and operated by townspeople and volunteers, and has become one of the three largest street performance events in Japan. Street performers from inside and outside of Japan will gather and perform in the street, including 120 top performers from Japan and overseas in 40 groups.

Kamakura Festival

Date: April 10 (Sun) to April 17 (Sun)
Location: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and other locations, Yukinoshita, Kamakura-City

Odawara-City, situated in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, has old history and culture as well as beautiful nature. Because it faces the ocean, fishing has long been carried out there and many tourists visit to enjoy delicious seafood. During the Warring States period the Hojo clan (the rulers of the Kanto region) resided in Odawara Castle, which played a central role in the rule of the Kanto region. The keep was reconstructed in 1960 and is currently a tourist attraction.

Kamaboko (fish cake) is a type of cuisine created from fish meat that has been made in Japan since ancient times. According to old books, the product is called “kamaboko” because its shape resembles a cattail ear (“kamanoho”). In olden times kamaboko was shaped like modern chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cakes), but kamaboko became to be made in its current form which is attached to a board in the Edo period. Kamaboko from Odawara was made for travelers and people taking hot springs cures who were passing through Odawara on the way to Hakone, and the product became popular among many people. When feudal lords alternated between their residences, kamaboko was savored as a local specialty which before long spread throughout the whole country.

Due to the effects of the Tohoku earthquake, this event has been cancelled. However, the damage within Kanagawa Prefecture has been minimal, so we still recommend you come and visit.