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Enoshima Island

Enoshima Island, located in Kamakura, is only about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Tokyo. It is popular among lovers due to a romantic legend. They come here to knock the Love Bell, hoping to foster a forever love with their partners. It is also the film location of the famous anime - Slam Dunk, whose fans spread all over the world. There has been evidence that the island has been dwelled by humans at least 7,000 years ago. Such a long history explains the rich historical sites and cultural activities: the magnificent Enoshima Shrine, artworks displayed in Enoshima Iwaya Cave, grand candle and illumination shows, the wonderful sea animal performances, and the exciting sailing matches. Since 1927, Enoshima Island has been one of Japan’s 100 greatest tourist attractions. In addition, Enoshima Island is also called the island of cats and you may accidentally see a cat in one corner of the Island.  
The Entrance to the Mountain on Enoshima Island
The Entrance to the Mountain on Enoshima Island

An Island of “Love”

The Island is very suitable for lovers to visit together due to its romantic legend and attractions, including the Love Bell and Enoshima Iwaya Cave. 

1. Enoshima Iwaya Cave

The natural cave collects ukiyoe woodblock prints of Enoshima and artworks relating to the Five-head Dragon and Tennyo – a goodness in ancient Japan. The legend has it that the evil Five-head Dragon living under the sea fell in love with Tennyo when they first met. To win love from his goodness, the Dragon decided not to do evil things any more but protected the island. Finally, the goodness was moved and accepted his love. On clear days, it is easy to take amazing photos of the seascape from the cave. Seeing the sunset glow above the sea changing its shape and colors and hearing waves beating rocks is like watching a movie. 

2. Love Bell 

The Love Bell is popular as one legend has it that after the two lovers knock the Bell together and hang the padlock with their names engraved to the wire netting, their love will last forever. 

A Night Fairyland of Lights 

From mid-October to the early November, the grand candle show would be held in Samuel Cocking Garden. During the festival, about 10,000 candles of various shapes would be lit up. In addition, the illumination show from late November to February of the next year is popular, especially among children. Numerous colorful lights decorate each corner of the Garden: strings of white light balls dropped from the 120-meter-high (390 feet) lighthouse, small bulbs scattered on the trees’ brunches, the jellyfish made of colorful flags and lights, the countless dots of blue and purple lights on the ground just like a skyful of stars, all of which make the Garden look like a fairyland.

Watch Mount Fuji on the Sea Candle

The Sea Candle is a lighthouse nearly 120 meters (390 feet) high. On the top, you can see the panorama of the sea. If you want to see Mount Fuji, the telescope can be used by putting coins in the slot. Before walking down from the lighthouse, have a good rest while enjoying the gentle sea breeze on its open-air deck.  

The Commerical Street on the Enoshima Island
The Commerical Street on the Enoshima Island

Visitors before the Shrine on Enoshima Island
Visitors before the Shrine on Enoshima Island


A Good Place to Enjoy Water Activities

Enoshima Island is a paradise for water activity lovers. Around Enoshima Island, there are several shores for water sports, such as Katasekaigan and Inamuragasaki. The Island has a long history of holding sailing matches. It was the site for the sailing matches of the 1964 and 2020 Olympic Games. On these shores, surfing facilities and canoeing are available for rental. You can also have a sun bath or swim around these shores.

The Wharf by Enoshima Island
The Wharf by Enoshima Island

People Surfing on the Sea
People Surfing on the Sea


Other Places Worth Going on Enoshima Island

1. Enoshima Jinja Shrinejia

At the entrance of Enoshima Island stands Enoshima Shrine, which consists of 3 shrines: Hetsumiya Shine, Nakatsumiya Shrine, and Okutsumiya Shrine, among which the oldest one has about 1,170 years of history. Other than the typical red torri gate - Enoshima Shrine Gatehouse, the Bronze Torii Gate - the local important treasure heritage, is very eye-catching. The Gate looks green generally and black partially due to rust. The Shrine also collects valuable relics, such as statues of Myoon-Benzaiten and Happi-Benzaiten – two gods in Japanese culture.   

2. Enoshima Aquarium

Enoshima Aquarium is very famous across Japan and Mount Fuji can be seen around the Aquarium. Various shows are performed by sea animals, so the Aquarium is a good destination for a family tour. The wonderful dolphin shows, the performances by jelly fish with the application of 3D technology, the interaction between divers and sharks and more would definitely amaze the kids. In addition, children can learn about various sea fishes through the introduction by staff.  

3. Enoshima Uomi-tei, A Restaurant Facing the Sea

Enoshima Uomi-tei is a restaurant built on the cliff and offers rows of seats in the open air. You can taste cuisines while appreciating the sea and the ships on it. Recommended cuisines include seafood Sushi, Sashimi, and grilled fish.   

Tips

1. Wear comfortable shoes as there are many slopes and stairs on the Island. 
2. There is elevator leading to the top of the mountain on the Island if you don’t want to climb the stairs. 


Ticket Prices

1. Sea Candle: 500 yen
2. Enoshima Iwaya Cave: 500 yen 
3. Elevator to mountain top: 400 yen
4. 1,100 yen for a combo ticket including the elevator to the mountain top, the Enoshima Iwaya Cave, the Sea Candle. 

How to Get There

The Enoden Line
The Enoden Line
→ Take Enoshima Line and get off at Katase-Enoshima Station.
→ Walk to the Enoshima Kaigan Bus Stop in 3 minutes. 
→ Take Bus 6 heading towards southwest along the Enoshima Bridge, get off after 2 stops, and then you will be on the Island. 

Nearby Tourist Attractions

1. Shichirigahama Beach 

Before or after visiting Enoshima Island, it is recommended to go to Shichirigahama Beach where you can appreciate the panorama of Mount Fuji without the block of high mountains or residences. You can take photos on the dam of Shichirigahama Beach.

2. Kamakurakoko-Mae Station

For fans of Slam Dunk, don’t miss Kamakurakoko-Mae Station, which appears very often in this anime. You can take photos by imitating the characters in the anime. You can also appreciate the sea view beside the Station.