Approx. 1 hour from Tokyo and Yokohama! 15 Enoshima sightseeing spots where you can enjoy spectacular views and great food

The recommended sightseeing seasons for Enoshima are summer and winter.
The beautiful scenery created by the sea and Enoshima under the summer sun is especially stunning.
The summer sunset viewed from the Enoshima Sea Candle observation tower is also not to be missed.
Being able to enjoy swimming and marine sports is another summer-only attraction.
In winter, the illumination event Shonan no Hoseki is held across all of Enoshima, allowing visitors to enjoy a magical nighttime landscape as the entire island glows with light.

Enoshima has excellent access: Approx. 1 hour from Tokyo, and 30 minutes to 1 hour from Yokohama and Kamakura, two other popular sightseeing destinations in Kanagawa.
If you are planning to visit any of those destinations, consider adding Enoshima to your itinerary as well.
Please refer to the table below for access from Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kamakura.
The three nearest stations to Enoshima are Katase-Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Line, Enoshima Station on the Enoden Line, and Shonan-Enoshima Station on the Shonan Monorail.
Katase-Enoshima Station is the closest, at about a 10-minute walk to Enoshima, while the other two stations are about a 15-minute walk away.

This sightseeing boat connects Enoshima Benten Bridge at the entrance of Enoshima with Chigogafuchi, the marine erosion terrace on the island’s western side. It takes Approx. 30 minutes on foot, but by sightseeing boat, you can arrive in just 10 minutes, making it especially helpful for those who are not confident in their stamina.
There is plenty to see as well, including sweeping ocean views, the beautiful contrast of Enoshima’s rugged cliffs and lush greenery, and on clear days, views of Mt. Fuji.

Enoshima Shrine is a shrine made up of three shrines scattered across Enoshima.
After crossing the bridge and passing through the approach called Benzaiten Nakamise Street, you will see a bright red torii gate, and climbing the stairs from there leads to Hetsunomiya.
As you go farther into the island, the route continues to Nakatsunomiya and Okutsunomiya.
The shrine enshrines three sister goddesses, with each of the three shrines dedicated to one goddess.
The three sisters are revered as goddesses of the sea and water and are said to bring blessings such as financial fortune and prosperity, matchmaking and successful relationships, fertility and safe childbirth, health and longevity, improvement in the arts, and safety in travel and traffic.
Its appeal lies in the many blessings associated with it, the various legends, the beautiful scenery, and the fun of visiting the shrines while touring the island.
Let’s also introduce the attractions and highlights of each of the three shrines.

After crossing the bridge to Enoshima and passing through the approach called Benzaiten Nakamise Street, the first shrine you come to is Hetsunomiya.
It enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto, the youngest of the three sister goddesses.
On the right side facing the Hetsunomiya shrine building is a chinowa ring, and it is said that passing through this ring before worship purifies both body and mind by cleansing away sins and impurities.
In front of the shrine building is also the White Dragon Pond of Zeniarai Hakuryuo, and it is said that washing money in the pond’s water brings blessings of improved financial luck and treasure fortune.
If you visit, use the baskets provided to cleanse your money.

Nakatsunomiya, located in the center of Enoshima, enshrines Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, the second of the three sister goddesses.
Because the three sister goddesses were said to be beautiful, a beauty-related charm called Yokubari Bijin Mamori is sold here.
It is unusual in that you can choose from five types depending on your wish: beautiful skin, beautiful hair, lovely smile, beautiful features, and fair skin.
Also popular is the mizu mikuji, a fortune slip that is blank at first, but when dipped into the suikinkutsu beside the shrine building, the text appears and reveals your fortune.

Okutsunomiya is located on the western side of the island and is the farthest of the three shrines.
It enshrines Takiribime-no-Mikoto, the eldest of the three sister goddesses and a deity who protects the sea.
It is said to bring blessings for maritime safety, traffic safety, financial fortune, and rekindled relationships.
On the ceiling of the Okutsunomiya worship hall is a painting of a turtle called Happo Nirami no Kame, which appears to be staring at you no matter where you view it from.
See for yourself whether the turtle really seems to meet your gaze.

The observation tower, first installed in 1951 as Japan’s first privately operated lighthouse, was renewed in 2013 as part of the 100th anniversary project of the Enoden railway’s opening.
Built with the core concepts of consideration for scenery and nature, pursuit of public value, and promotion of local tourism, it has become a spot that attracts many visitors.
From the glass-walled observation floor, you can enjoy wide views of Sagami Bay, Mt. Fuji, and more from a height of 101.56 m above sea level.

A Japanese-Western style garden created in 1882 by Samuel Cocking, an Irish merchant.
Its vast grounds of over 10,000 square meters included artificial hills, ponds, flower beds, and greenhouses, and the greenhouse was said to be the largest in the East at the time.
Later renamed Enoshima Botanical Garden and then Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, its spirit has been carried on, and visitors can still enjoy seasonal flowers and plants such as roses, rose of Sharon, camellias, rare subtropical plants, and some planted when Samuel Cocking first opened the garden.

A bell built on Lover’s Hill, a high point in Enoshima, based on the legend of the heavenly maiden and the five-headed dragon.
The view is excellent, and on clear days you can even see Izu Oshima.
The fence beneath Ryuren no Kane is packed with padlocks.
It is said that attaching a padlock with the names of two people written on it will make their eternal love come true, and many couples visit to attach one with that wish in mind.

Caves at the far end of Enoshima formed by erosion from the waves.
They are said to have been used for training by Kobo Daishi and the priest Nichiren, and Minamoto no Yoritomo is also said to have prayed here during his campaign against Fujiwara no Hidehira of Oshu.
Also not to be missed are the expansive ocean views and Mt. Fuji beyond them from Iwayabashi Bridge, the red-railed bridge leading to the entrance of these deeply revered caves.

A rocky area spreading along the southwestern side of Enoshima, this marine erosion terrace was formed by uplift during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
The spectacular scenery of the terrace, eroded by waves over many years, together with the vast ocean has been selected as one of the 50 Scenic Spots of Kanagawa, and the evening sky views are also wonderful.
On clear days, you can see Mt. Fuji beautifully, and the sight of waves crashing against the eroded terrace creates a captivating scene.

Yasaka Shrine is a subsidiary shrine within the grounds of Enoshima Shrine.
The enshrined deity is Takehayasusanoo-no-Mikoto, the younger brother of the supreme deity Amaterasu Omikami.
It is said to bring a variety of blessings, including protection from bad luck, matchmaking, and academic success.
At the Enoshima Tenno Festival, held in mid-July, you can see a sea procession in which mikoshi portable shrines are carried into the sea to pray for the safety of the local community.
This is a rare sight even in festival-rich Japan, so if your timing works out, be sure to attend the Enoshima Tenno Festival.

An aquarium that makes the most of its excellent location facing Sagami Bay and overlooking Mt. Fuji and Enoshima.
Its exhibits and shows are based on the themes of Sagami Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the creatures that live there.
Aquarium staff introduce the charm and ecology of the fish.

Enoshima Daishi was established in 1993 as a branch temple of Saifukuji Temple of Koyasan in Kagoshima.
It is a temple known for the striking bright red Nio guardian statues standing at the entrance.
Its biggest highlight is the 6 m-tall statue of Fudo Myoo, the principal image. It is the largest indoor Fudo Myoo statue in Japan.
Be sure not to miss the beautiful Chinese embroidered Buddhist paintings on display.
Another nice point is that anyone can visit the main hall free of charge.

An escalator that takes visitors up to the top area of Enoshima.
Installed in 1959, it is also known as Japan’s first outdoor escalator.
It is divided into three sections, and the first section escalator, named Enoshima LUMINOUS WAY, features tasteful visual effects.
Video art is projected on both sides, letting you enjoy a fantastical world as if you were underwater while heading to your destination.

Pass through the bronze torii gate at the entrance to Enoshima, and you will find a shopping street lined with inns, restaurants, souvenir shops, and more.
Always bustling with visitors, this shopping street is enjoyable to stroll thanks to its historic-looking buildings and sights such as the black post box in front of Enoshima Post Office, restored from one used in the Meiji era.
It is especially rich in dining options, where you can enjoy dishes unique to sea-surrounded Enoshima, including raw whitebait rice bowls, seafood rice bowls, and isoyaki grilled fresh seafood.

A popular shop located along Benzaiten Nakamise Street, which runs from the bronze torii gate to the vermilion torii gate of Enoshima Shrine.
There is always a line, and people come for the Maruyaki Tako Senbei, a pressed rice cracker made from two to three whole octopuses.
The octopus is carefully prepared about eight times until the salt is removed, then lightly seasoned to bring out its natural flavor. It is coated with starch, arranged on an iron plate, and finished by pressing it with Approx. 1 ton of pressure and baking it for 2 minutes at 190°C.

A long-established shop that has been serving Japanese sweets for over 120 years near Yama Futatsu, one of Enoshima’s scenic landmarks.
Its specialty is the original nori yokan. Created when the shop first opened, it is an elegant sweet made with top-quality white bean paste and a balanced blend of green laver seaweed.
Other popular items include yokan such as honren yokan and chestnut yokan, made by carefully kneading selected azuki beans.

A Japanese sweets shop on Benzaiten Nakamise Street founded in 1789.
It would not be an exaggeration to say it is the most popular and famous shop in Enoshima.
Its Enoshima Monaka, shaped like seafood such as turban shells, clams, and scallops, is especially well known.
Not only are they cute in appearance, but the crisp wafer shells and the three kinds of filling, smooth red bean paste (turban shell), chunky red bean paste (clam), and sesame paste (scallop), are an excellent match.
Ice Monaka, which adds ice cream to the Enoshima Monaka, is also popular.
Another specialty is the Meoto Manju, made by hand-kneading the filling and wrapping it by hand, making it perfect as a souvenir.

A hotel that opened in March 2021. It offers a luxurious stay and a perfect place to relax after walking around Enoshima.
The guest rooms have different design concepts on each floor: the 2nd floor is modern, the 3rd floor is Asian-inspired, and the 4th and 5th floors feature refined Japanese-style spaces.
The 5th-floor suites are especially luxurious, including a junior suite with glass partitions and indirect lighting, as well as suites with open-air baths overlooking Sagami Bay, all designed for a relaxing stay.

Ebisuya is a long-established ryokan founded in the 17th century and has been loved by many notable figures, cultural figures, and travelers, including politicians, writers, and Kabuki actors.
Its appeal lies in the excellent views from the guest rooms and large public bath, overlooking the Miura Peninsula and the Shonan Coast.
Its beauty is so famous that it has even been depicted in well-known literary works.
Another reason for its popularity is its kaiseki cuisine, generously using seasonal local ingredients and seafood.
Located just after crossing onto Enoshima, with the front entrance directly accessible, it is an ideal base for sightseeing on the island.

The first guesthouse in Enoshima, opened in 2016.
With the beach a 3-minute walk away and Katase-Enoshima Station just a 1-minute walk away, it has become a new sightseeing base for Enoshima thanks to its convenient location.
Created with the concept of “a place where people who love the sea and travel naturally gather,” it offers a calm and comfortable stay.
You can choose between private rooms and dormitories, so accommodation costs can be kept lower than at other ryokan and similar lodgings.
About 40% of its guests are international travelers, making it a place for cultural exchange as well.