Enoshima

What to know

Just a short train ride west of Kamakura, Enoshima (江の島) is a delightfully touristy island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island offers a variety of attractions, including a shrine, park, observation tower, and caves. On clear days, you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji.

Enoshima consists of a yacht harbor and a forested hill that can only be explored on foot (or by paid escalators) and contains most of the sights. Several shrine buildings, collectively known as Enoshima Shrine, are scattered around the island and are dedicated to Benten, the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music, and knowledge. Legend says Benten created Enoshima after subduing a five-headed dragon that was terrorizing the area.

An interesting aquarium and some of the closest beaches to Tokyo are located on the mainland just off Enoshima. The beaches on both sides of the island become very crowded with sunbathers and swimmers during July and August, while the long stretches of beach extending to Chigasaki in the west and Kamakura in the east are popular for surfing.

Visitors to Enoshima should consider purchasing the Enoshima 1-Day Combination Ticket, which includes admission to the island's main attractions (garden, observation tower, caves) and use of the escalators for 1100 yen (or 1500 yen if visiting the Samuel Cocking Garden after 5pm). The ticket can be purchased at tourist information desks or the escalator ticket office.

Enoshima is served by three train and monorail lines, each with its own station: Enoden (Enoshima Station), Odakyu Railway (Katase Enoshima Station near the aquarium), and the Shonan Monorail (Shonan Enoshima Station near Ryukoji Temple).

Take an express or rapid express train from Shinjuku bound for Fujisawa and transfer to a local train to Katase Enoshima, the terminal station. The entire one-way trip takes 65-75 minutes and costs 650 yen. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, Romance Car limited express trains run directly between Shinjuku and Katase Enoshima (60 minutes, 1400 yen, or 1350 yen with an e-ticket) every one or two hours on weekends and holidays.