Enoshima is a small island that looks like it is floating on the sea in Kanagawa’s Shonan Bay. There are plenty of sights to see in Enoshima with beautiful landscapes, shrines, lighthouses, and caves. You’ll definitely want to try one of Enoshima’s famous fresh seafood dishes if you’re visiting the area.
About Enoshima
Enoshima is a small island with an area of approximately 4 kilometers in Kanagawa Prefecture’s Fujisawa City. The island is full of natural beauty, and it also referred to as “Green Enoshima”. Although it is quite a rare occurrence, pods of dolphins and whales can sometimes be seen in the surrounding sea.
Things To Do in Enoshima
There are several popular sightseeing spots on Enoshima. We will introduce three must-see spots when visiting the island.
Enoshima Shrine
Enoshima Shrine is one of the three large shines dedicated to the worship of the goddess Benzaiten. It consists of Hetsunomiya, Nakatsunomiya, and Okutsunomiya shrines. Fortunes sold at Nakatsunomiya are called “Water Fortunes” because they read one’s fortune based on how they float in water. The popularity of these interesting and mysterious fortunes bring many visitors to the shrine.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Enoshima Shrine
- Address: Enoshima 2-3-8, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-0036 Japan
- Access: A 15-minute walk from the Odakyu Enoshima Line's Katase-Enoshima Station.
- Wi-Fi: Available (FUJISAWA Free Wi-Fi)
- Language accommodations: Japanese only
- Credit cards accepted: No credit cards accepted
The Enoshima Sea Candle
Enoshima Sea Candle is another name for Enoshima’s famous lighthouse. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Mt. Fuji, and the sun sinking into the ocean at dusk from within the lighthouse itself or atop its observation deck.
Spot information
- Spot name: Enoshima Sea Candle
- Address: Katase-kaigan 2-19-1, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-0035 Japan
- Access: A 20-minute walk from the Odakyu Enoshima Line's Katase-Enoshima Station
- Wi-Fi: Available (FUJISAWA Free Wi-Fi)
- Language accommodations: Japanese only
- Ticket Purchase: At the entrance to the lighthouse
- Credit cards accepted: No credit cards accepted
Enoshima Caves
Enoshima Iwaya is a cave created naturally from erosion caused by the ocean’s waves. The area inside is separated into two areas: Dai-ichi Iwaya and Dai-ni Iwaya. Miniature Shinto shrines, ancient artifacts, statues of dragons, and Raijin taiko drums can be viewed within the different cave areas. Iwaya also holds an event where visitors can explore the cave with candle in hand.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Enoshima Iwaya Cave
- Address: Enoshima 2-5, Fujisawa-shi, 251-0036 Japan
- Access: A 30-minute walk from the Odakyu Enoshima Line's Katase-Enoshima Station
- Wi-Fi: Available (FUJISAWA Free Wi-Fi)
- Language accommodations: Japanese only
- Ticket Purchase: At Iwaya cave's entrance
- Credit cards accepted: No credit cards accepted
Enoshima Beaches
Katase Higashihama Beach is located near Enoshima. The beach is a great spot to view Enoshima to the right, as well as the Miura Peninsula to the left. Katase Higashihama Beach is the perfect place for a swim in summer with many beach houses and souvenir shops standing along the shoreline. Enoshima Aquarium is also a great place to stop due to its close proximity to the beach.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Katase Higashihama Beach
- Address: Katase Higashihama 1-15, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-0035 Japan
- Access: A 2-minute walk from the Odakyu Katase-Enoshima Line's Katase-Enoshima Station.
- Wi-Fi: Available (FUJISAWA Free Wi-Fi)
- Language accommodations: Japanese only
- Ticket Purchase: At entrance
- Credit cards: No credit cards accepted
Enoshima Aquarium
Enoshima Aquarium is a must-see spot for visitors to Enoshima. This edutainment-style aquarium is a 10-minute walk from the island. The aquarium is separated into 14 different areas where visitors can see many different types of marine life. There are also plenty of shows and programs where visitors can learn more about the animals within the aquarium. The aquarium’s dolphin show is a particularly popular event you won’t want to miss.
Note: "Edutainment" does not mean learning through play (as noted on Enoshima Aquarium's official website)
Spot Information
- Spot name: Enoshima Aquarium
- Address: Katase Kaigan 2-19-1, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-0035 Japan
- Access: A 3-minute walk from the Odakyu Enoshima Line's Katase-Enoshima Station
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Language accommodations: English, Chinese, Korean
- Ticket Purchase: At Enoshima Aquarium reception, in train stations, and at convenience stores
- Credit cards accepted: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMERICAN EXPRESS, Diners Club International, UnionPay (CUP)
Things to Eat in Enoshima
Enoshima’s most famous dish is nama-shirasu-don, or fresh whitebait fish over rice. The whitebait used are caught fresh from Shonan Bay and piled high atop a bowl of rice. There are plenty of restaurants near the entrance to Enoshima where you can enjoy nama-shirasu-don as well as other dishes with fresh fish over rice. Another popular item is the “Satsuma-shirasu Burger”, made with whitebait, satsuma-age, lettuce, and tomato placed between two buns.
Enoshima's Hotels
There are plenty of different lodging accommodations available in Enoshima, from guest houses to Japanese style inns and even resort hotels. Although many different options for lodging are available within a 10-minute walk from the station, there are also hotels located farther away that will send shuttle buses to pick up guests. Prices range from around 5,000 yen to 20,000 yen per night, which is quite reasonable for the area.
Accessing From Tokyo to Enoshima
The closest station to Enoshima is “Katase-Enoshima Station”. The most straightforward way to access Katase-Enoshima Station from Tokyo is via Shinjuku Station. Board the Odakyu Enoshima Line’s “Enoshima” Romancecar at Shinjuku Station and you should reach Enoshima in approximately one hour and ten minutes.
Spot information
- Spot name: Enoshima (Odakyu Enoshima Line's "Katase-Enoshima Station")
- Address: Katase Kaigan 2-15-3, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 251-0035 Japan
- Access: An approximately 1 hour and 10 minute train ride from Shinjuku Station via the "Enoshima" Romancecar
- Wi-Fi: Available (FUJISAWA Free Wi-Fi)
- Language accommodations: English
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