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Exploring Enoshima: A Treasure Island Off Tokyo's Coast
Looking for the perfect summertime beach experience? Enoshima is the place to be. Home to some of the merriest beaches near Tokyo, this lovely island is famous for its touristy nature. Our guide will reveal exactly what it’s like to spend time in Enoshima. We’ll cover everything from travel tips to top attractions. Let’s dive in!
Introduction to Enoshima
Enoshima is a small island in Kanagawa Prefecture located south of Tokyo. Every year, millions of tourists troop in from major cities around Japan to enjoy the attractions on the island. Enoshima is connected to its mainland via a 400-meter-long bridge known as the Enoshima Benten Bridge. The island and its mainland are part of the Katase area in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa.
The shores of Enoshima island and mainland have some of the most popular beaches close to Tokyo and Yokohama. Other famous attractions include the iconic Enoshima Shrine, several caves, a lighthouse observation tower, and multiple resorts.
In the 6th century, the island was nothing more than a place dedicated to Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of entertainment, music, and matchmaking. Today, the history resonates in the island’s culture and atmosphere, as its home to fun-loving beachgoers and tourist couples.
Getting to Enoshima: Travel Tips
The best way to travel from Tokyo or its nearby cities to Enoshima is to take a train ride to one of the stations on its mainland and walk across the bridge. There are three main stations near the bridge: Enoshima Station, Shonan Enoshima Station, and Katase Enoshima Station. Each is served by a different train or monorail line. You can make your choice based on your starting location and the sights you would like to see first on the mainland. The following is an overview of the best travel routes to Enoshima:
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Tokyo Station to Enoshima Station or Shonan Enoshima Station (60 minutes): From Tokyo Station, take the JR Tokaido Line to Fujisawa Station and transfer to the Enoden train heading to Enoshima Station. Alternatively, you could get off the JR Tokaido Line early at Ofuna and take the Shonan Monorail to Shonan Enoshima Station, which is closer to the Ryukoji Temple.
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Shinjuku Station to Katase Enoshima Station (70 minutes): Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Fujisawa Station and transfer to a local train or Odakyu Enoshima Line on its way to Katase Enoshima Station, which is near the aquarium. An alternative route opens up on weekends and holidays. You can take a Romance Car limited express train from Shinjuku Station directly to Katase Enoshima.
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Kamakura to Enoshima Station (20 minutes): You can easily find an Enoden train on its way to Enoshima Station from nearby Kamakura.
Top Attractions on Enoshima Island
The island is home to many must-see spots, making it the perfect destination for a quick day trip from Tokyo and Yokohama. Check out our overview of its top attractions below.
Enoshima Shrine: This is a collection of three shrines on Enoshima Island. All of them are dedicated to the Shinto goddess Benzaiten (Benten). The three shrines are called He-tsu-miya (founded 1206), Oku-tsu-miya (founded 1841), and Naka-tsu-miya (founded 853). The first shrine you will find on a walk through the main grounds is He-tsu-miya, which enshrines Myoon-Benzaiten, the depiction of the goddess that represents music and entertainment. Also known as the Naked Goddess, this depiction has been worshipped by artists and musicians for centuries. You’ll find Naka-tsu-miya moving further down before arriving at Oku-tsu-miya. Happi-Benzaiten is the depiction of the goddess that represents good fortune. She is the reason people come to the shrine to wash their money in its pond.
Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden: Also known as Enoshima Botanical Garden, this is a sight-seer’s paradise. The garden is home to all kinds of visual interests, including an observation tower and fancy illuminations. In 1880, British merchant Samuel Cocking bought a portion of Enoshima’s land from the Meiji Government and turned it into a power plant and botanical garden. The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake destroyed part of the garden, but that was later restored. Today, hundreds of thousands of annual visitors come to see its camellia trees, tropical plants, and massive lookout tower.
Enoshima Sea Candle Lighthouse: This is a 60-meter-tall tower located in the Samuel Cocking Garden. Another name for it is Shonan Observatory Lighthouse. Standing at 119 meters above sea level, it was built in 2003 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Enoshima Electric Railway in 2002 and to replace the old lighthouse in the garden. The main observation deck is indoors, and you can access it via lift or spiral staircase. The outdoor deck is only accessible via a second spiral staircase. Both decks offer stunning panoramic views, especially at night.
Iwaya Caves: These caves can be found in the jagged cliffs of Enoshima's southern coastline. They are two walkable caves that feature various cultural attractions. The first cave is the bigger one, and it houses several Buddhist statues, including one of Benzaiten and another of the goddess Amaterasu. The second cave features a statue of the dragon believed to have terrorized the island in ancient times. According to local legend, the goddess created the island and defeated a five-headed dragon that was causing havoc on it.
Enoshima Island Spa: Also known as Enospa, this luxury resort is a popular hot spring facility on the island. You can enjoy a bath naked in any of the gender-separated hot spring baths. The facility also contains indoor and outdoor pools from which you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji.
Love Bell: Couples who visit Enoshima have created a tradition of walking to the top of the hills on the island and stopping at the Love Bell. They often ring the bell in unison. Many of them scribble their names on locks and attach these locks to the fence next to the bell.
A Day at Enoshima Beach
The shores of the island serve as the home of some of the closest beaches to the Tokyo Metropolis. These beaches are scattered throughout the coast, particularly on the left and right sides of the island, and the coastline of the mainland. There are two beaches next to the Enoshima Benten Bridge. Both of them get a lot of visitors in the summer months of July and August. There are several restaurants on Enoshima shores where beachgoers can enjoy the local cuisine. The beaches also have shaded rest houses, where people can rent parasols and deck chairs. If you love surfing, sunbathing, or listening to hit music, an Enoshima beach is the place to spend some time in the summer.
Culinary Delights: Where to Eat in Enoshima
Don’t leave Enoshima without eating at any of the local restaurants on and around the island. Some of the best eateries there serve shirasu-don (whitebait bowl), a local delicacy of the area. This dish is derived from shirasu, an immature white fish caught in the nearby Sagami Bay. The restaurants serve it raw or cooked in a bowl filled with white rice.
Other common Enoshima delicacies include tako senbei (octopus crackers), kaisendon (seafood-topped rice bowl), seafood skewers, and monaka (crispy wafer sandwich filled with sweets). The following are some of the best dining spots to try local delicacies on Enoshima:
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Nakamuraya Yokan
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Marudai Sensui
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Fujimitei
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Enoshima Treasure Cafe
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GARB Enoshima
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OpenBiC CAFE Hemingway
Enoshima’s Historical Landmarks
Enoshima is considered a center for Japanese religious history. The island is the focal point of Enoshima Engi, an historical narrative that tells the story of the origins of temples and shrines on the island. It was written by Kōkei, a Buddhist monk, in 1047 AD. Although written in the form of a tale, many elements in the book are factual, offering insights into the island’s relationship with Benzaiten.
The island is also home to many famous Buddhist temples, including Enoshima Daishi, a part of the Shingon Sect. In the temple, you’ll find the six-meter-tall statue of the Buddhist protector Fudomyo. There are more historical landmarks on the mainland, including Ryukoji Temple, which is closely linked with the Nichiren Sect.
Exploring the Enoshima Aquarium
This facility has long been an attraction for families and marine life enthusiasts who have visited Enoshima. It sits on the beach, a few meters from the bridge that connects to the island. Nicknamed “Enosui,” it was opened in 2004 and currently boasts a total tank volume of 3 million liters. Its main tank is two stories tall and has a volume of 1 million liters. There are currently 26,000+ animals from 540 species on display at the aquarium. Some of the most popular attractions include dolphins, jellyfish, seals, tubeworms, and penguins.
Hiking and Leisure Walks on Enoshima
The island is inaccessible to vehicles, so you might as well use the opportunity to take leisure walks along the numerous routes available. The walking trail leading to the Love Bell is a popular route for couples. It will take you past scenic spots and major landmarks such as Samuel Cocking Garden, Enoshima Daishi, and Enoshima Shrine. You can end your hike at the southern coast, where you will find the Iwaya Caves.
Beyond the Island: What Enoshima Teaches About Japanese Coastal Life
A visit to Enoshima offers deeper insight into Japan’s coastal culture. The presence of temples, shrines, aquariums, and resorts produces a unique blend of nature, history, and modernity that most tourist destinations struggle to achieve.
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