Kamakura Cherry Festival

The annual Kamakura-matsuri coincides with spring cherry blossoms. It celebrates the period when Kamakura was the seat of Japan's military government (1192-1333). Visitors line the parade route under the gaze of the two dogs which guard the second torii gate leading to the Tsurugaoka-Hachiman Shrine.

A tree draped with Shinto prayers precedes a ceremonial drum and is followed by a mikoshi - a model shrine carried on the shoulders of area residents.

Cherry blossoms also grace the beautiful grounds of the Engakuji Temple nearby.

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