Nearest Station: Kamakura

Located at the heart of the town and just two minutes walk from the station, this is Kamakura's largest and most important shrine. It's large. It's very large. It's a nice large place to watch people and, if you're lucky, a traditional style wedding.

Climb to the top of the steps and enjoy a reasonable view of the town.

Sit by the lotus pond in mid-summer and eat a bento box and down a beer. Watch the kids feed the huge carp and wonder if the huge carp ever feed on the kids. Sit there at sunset after everyone has left and listen to the night.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, just like most shrines and temples in Japan, has nothing much to do with religion for the typical native visitor. Some superstition, yes. Some tradition. Some ritual. But here more than elsewhere, with the crowds of school kids and giggling old age pensioners, flag waving group leaders and miss-matched foreigners, this place is just a place to enjoy. So you may as well enjoy it too.

Tons of information can be found here.