Easily accessible from Tokyo and close to Kamakura, Enoshima is a picturesque island that is part of Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Despite its small size, Enoshima has a lot to offer with its breathtaking views, shrines, caves, lighthouse observation tower, illumination events, and more. Connected to the mainland by bridges, this is one of the best destinations for a day trip from Tokyo.

Depending on your travel plans, you can explore both Enoshima and Kamakura in one day. To learn about Kamakura, please check this article. We also have many articles covering other travel destinations in Japan such as Nikko, Atami, Tokyo Islands, and more. If you are looking for a hotel or ryokan to stay overnight during your trip, be sure to check "Travel in Japan: Hotel Booking Websites". To search for restaurants, please refer to "Eating Out in Japan: Restaurant Guides".

Getting to Enoshima

Enoshima can be reached on foot from Katase-Enoshima Station (Odakyu Enoshima Line, Romancecar), Enoshima Station (Enoden Train), and Shonan-Enoshima Station (Shonan Monorail). Katase-Enoshima Station, with its iconic building inspired by "The Palace of the Dragon King" from Japanese legends, is the closest station to the island.

If you start your journey from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar can be highly recommended as it will directly take you to Katase-Enoshima Station. The train only has reserved seatings and will require payment of limited express surcharge. Since Enoshima is located close to Kamakura, it can be a great idea to explore both places on Enoden train. It takes about 26 minutes for Enoden train to reach Enoshima Station from Kamakura Station.

If you plan to use Odakyu Line for your travel, Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass can be recommended as it includes one round-trip ticket for Odakyu Line, unlimited use of Enoden and a certain section of Odakyu Line, as well as discounts for various tourist attractions. Please check their website for more information.

Getting around Enoshima

While you can explore Enoshima on foot, there are also other ways of getting around such as outdoor escalators and a pleasure boat.

Pleasure Cruise Benten Maru

Benten Maru is a pleasure boat running between Enoshima Benten Bridge and Chigogafuchi Abyss with its breathtaking scenery and nearby Iwaya Caves. It costs 400 yen for adults and takes approximately 6 minutes to reach your destination. From December till February, it only operates during weekends and holidays. Furthermore, depending on the sea conditions, it can be canceled. The information regarding operation of this pleasure boat is updated at 10:30 on the day of departure and can be checked on the website (in Japanese). Due to these factors, planning your trip with Benten Maru can be a bit tricky.

• Website: https://www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/access/bentenmaru.html (in Japanese)
• Address: Boarding points (Enoshima Benten Bridge and Chigogafuchi Abyss)

Enoshima Escar

While Enoshima Island is small in size, it's very hilly, making it a rather challenging place to explore by walking. If you do not feel like taking the long stairs, especially when going to the places located on the top of the island such as Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, you may opt for the outdoor escalator: "Escar". It is divided into 3 sections and is known as the Japan's oldest escalator installed outdoors. To purchase tickets and ride the escalator, please turn left at Enoshima Shrine's vermillion torii gate. Please note that the escalators only go upward.

• Website: https://enoshima-seacandle.com/facilities/escar/
• Address: 2-3-9 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Enoshima: Must-visit Places

Below, we would like to list some of the most recommended places to visit during your trip to Enoshima.

Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street

If you did not board a pleasure boat, one of the first things you will see upon crossing Enoshima Benten Bridge to the island is a bronze Torii gate followed by a famous shopping street: Benzaiten Nakamise Street. It is a narrow street lined with shops selling souvenirs, foods, and stretching till a vermilion torii gate. In terms of food, Enoshima is particularly famous for shirasu (whitebait). If you would like to enjoy raw shirasu, please note that its fishing season is closed during the winter months from January and till mid March. Therefore, you won't be able to enjoy raw shirasu during this period.

While the street is easy to navigate and you will surely find eating establishment that will satisfy your taste buds, we would like to list some of the most well-known ones.

Kinokuniya Honten

Founded all the way back in 1789, Kinokuniya Honten is a very popular store selling wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets). Some of the most popular items on the menu are "Meoto Manju", "Enoshima Monaka", etc.

• Address: 2-1-12 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Website: https://www.fujisawa-foodies.jp/search/detail.php?lang=en&shop_id=1600075

Tobiccho Benzaiten Nakamise Street

One of the most popular foods in Enoshima is whitebait (shirsasu) and Tobiccho Benzaiten Nakamise Street is a great place to taste it. It servers a variety of dishes with shirasu including rice bowls, croquettes, etc. There is even soft-serve ice cream with whitebait!　

• Address: 2-1-9 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Website: https://www.fujisawa-foodies.jp/search/detail.php?shop_id=1600063

Maruyaki Tako Senbei Asahi Main Store

This store is popular for its senbei (rice crackers) with octopus. The process of making this delicious senbei involves pressing the whole octopuses. They also serve senbei with shrimps and shirasu.

• Address: 1-4-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Website: https://murasaki-imo.com/

Enoshima Shrine

Walking up Benzaiten Nakamise Street, you will see vermillion torii gate (outdoor escalator is on the left) followed by Zuishinmon, which is Enoshima Shrine's gate reminiscent of "The Palace of the Dragon King". If you walk up the stairs, you will reach Hetsumiya, one of the three shrines that make up Enoshima Shrine. Next to Hetsumiya, there is Hoanden, which houses statues of Myoon Benzaiten (also known as "Naked Benzaiten") and Happi Benzaiten featuring eight arms. To see statues at Hoanden, the admission fee is required.

Besides Hetsumiya, there are also two shrines: Nakatsumiya and Okutsumiya. Known as one of the three great shrines of Benzaiten, Enoshima Shrine attracts many visitors.

• Website: http://enoshimajinja.or.jp (in Japanese)
• Address: 2-3-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and Enoshima Sea Candle

Located on the top of Enoshima Island, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden is a must visit place. There, you can enjoy taking a walk while admiring plants and flowers, as well as see magnificent views from the famous "Enoshima Sea Candle", which is a lighthouse observation tower. It is also home to Japan’s first cafe specializing in French toasts, etc. During events such as "Shonan no Hoseki", "Enoshima Lanterns", "Shonan Candle" (the websites are in Japanese), the area will make you feel as if you are in a magical land. For more information on the facilities, etc., please check the official website.

• Website: https://enoshima-seacandle.com
• Address: Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, 2-3-28 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Iwaya Caves

Formed by erosion caused by sea waves, Iwaya Caves have a long history as a sacred place and nowadays many visitors come to explore this popular tourist destination. The first cave is 152 meters deep and is the place where Enoshima Shrine originated. It is also believed by some to be connected to Narusawa Ice Cave at Mount Fuji. The second cave is 56 meters deep and is home to a statue of dragon.

• Website: https://www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/spot/enoshima/17.html (in Japanese)
• Address: 2 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Ryuren no Kane (The Bell of the Dragon's Love)

Located on Lover's Hill, Ryuren no Kane or the Bell of the Dragon's love is connected to the legend of love between a celestial maiden and a five headed dragon, who once was evil, but later turned good. It is believed that if a couple rings the bell, fastens a padlock with their names to the fence, their love will last forever.

• Address: 2-5 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Enoshima Island Spa

Image Source: https://www.enospa.jp/en

Enoshima Island Spa is conveniently located near the entrance to Enoshima Island. There you can enjoy soaking in a hot spring, as well as spa areas, and more. It is also a fantastic hotel to stay overnight to rest after a day of exploring Enoshima. For more information, including business hours and rates, please check their official website.　

• Website: https://www.enospa.jp/en
• Address: 2-1-6 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Beaches

Located on mainland, next to Enoshima mainland, there are east and west side beaches attracting many visitors during the summer season in July and August.

Enoshima Eastside Beach (Katase Higashihama Beach)

Katase Higashihama, with its calm waves and long history, is a popular summer destination. During the summer season, the are many beach houses where you can enjoy meals, buy drinks, etc.

• Website: https://ee-beach.com (in Japanese)
• Address: 1-15 Katase Kaigan, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa

Enoshima West Kugenuma Beach (Katase Nishihama Kugenuma Beach)

Known as the birthplace of beach volleyball and surfing in Japan, the beach welcomes over a million visitors annually. It stretches for about 1 kilometer and is a great place to relax during the hot Japanese summer.

• Website: https://enoshimawest-kugenuma.com/ (in Japanese)
• Address: 3 Katase Kaigan, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa

Enoshima Aquarium

Enoshima Aquarium is also located on the mainland. It is a fantastic place to explore marine life of Sagami Bay, learn about deep sea, observe penguins, sea turtles, and more. There are also shows and interactive programs, as well as shops and cafes.

• Website: https://www.enosui.com/en/
• Address: 2-19-1 Katase Kaigan, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Enoshima Events

Enoshima is a great place to visit throughout the year, but it gets especially beautiful during the illumination events such as "Enoshima Lanterns", "Jewels of Shonan", etc. Please check the dates and hours of the events before attending.

Enoshima Lanterns

From around the end of July to the end of August, Enoshima Island gets beautifully illuminated by 1000 beautiful lanterns. The light show at Zuishinmon Gate and Hetsumiya Shrine looks particularly mesmerizing. The details for the event in 2025 have not been announced yet.

• Website: https://enoshima-seacandle.com/event/enoshimatourou/ (in Japanese)

Shonan Candle

For a short period of time from October to November, Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and some other locations are lit up by 10,000 candles as part of "Shonan Candle" event. The details for the event in 2025 have not been announced yet.

• Website: https://enoshima-seacandle.com/event/shonan-candle/ (in Japanese)

Shonan no Hoseki (Jewels of Shonan)

From the end of November to the end of February, Enoshima transforms into a magical land thanks to jewels-like illuminations. Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, Ryuren no Kane, Enoshima Shrine, and other places get illuminated.

• Website: https://enoshima-seacandle.com/event/shonannohoseki/ (in Japanese)