Highlights and access methods of Enoshima Island (Kanagawa Prefecture)
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Enoshima is a land island jutting out from the Katase coast into Sagami Bay. Enoshima is home to Eshima Shrine, one of Japan's three great Benzaiten shrines, as well as tourist facilities such as the Samuel Cocking Garden, an English-style garden, and the Enoshima Sea Candle, an observation lighthouse. The island is also dotted with scenic spots such as Iwaya, where anyone can experience a cave while holding a lantern, and "Chigogafuchi".
In this article, we will explain the attractions of Enoshima Island in Kanagawa Prefecture and how to access it for those who are traveling to Japan from overseas.
(Last modified: )
(Prefecture : Kanagawa , Category : Remote Islands)
Table of contents
Highlights of Enoshima Island
Enoshima Island, located on the Shonan coast of Kanagawa Prefecture, is a land island jutting out from Katase Beach into Sagami Bay, with a circumference of about 4 km and a plateau-like terrain with an elevation of about 60 meters. Ejima Shrine on Enoshima is one of Japan's three great benzaiten. Eshima Shrine consists of three shrines: Henzumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya, each with different benefits.
Enoshima is dotted with a variety of tourist facilities, including the Enoshima Hotel, which houses the Enoshima Island Spa, the Samuel Cocking Garden, a 19th century English-style garden, and the Enoshima Sea Candle. Also, Enoshima's Iwaya is a cave at the far end of the island. There are no hard parts to walk through, so anyone can enjoy the cave experience while holding a lantern given to them at the entrance.
Enoshima is home to many scenic spots, including the Sea Candle Lookout. These include spots with spectacular sunsets, such as "Chigogafuchi", and a wave-cut plateau with the sea and rocky terrain, and from each of these points, if the weather is good, you can see Sagami Bay, Mount Fuji, and the mountains of Tanzawa.
Enoshima is famous for "nama shirasu-don," a local delicacy made with fresh nama shirasu. Therefore, tourists visit Enoshima to enjoy this famous gourmet dish and taste the local cuisine. In addition, there are many traditional restaurants where you can have a set meal of fresh sashimi or a regular meal. Take your time while touring Enoshima and find a restaurant you like.
Although there are stairs leading up to the top of Enoshima, you can use the escalator for a fee to go up. The Bentenmaru, which takes you from Bentenbashi Bridge to the back of Enoshima where Iwaya is located, can also be used for a modest fee, so you can enjoy Enoshima more comfortably if necessary.
Address and access method of Enoshima Island
For example, the address of Enoshima Shrine in Enoshima is 2-3-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The nearest stations to Enoshima are (1) Odakyu Electric Railway Enoshima Line Katase-Enoshima Station, (2) Enoden Enoshima Station, (3) Shonan Monorail Shonan-Enoshima Station is either From the station, walk through Enoshima Ohashi and enter Enoshima. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot from either station.
Attractions near Enoshima Island
Several notable attractions are located near Enoshima Island:
Kamakura
Just a short train ride from Enoshima, Kamakura is an ancient city filled with a multitude of historic shrines and temples. It's also famous for the Great Buddha, a massive bronze statue that's an iconic symbol of Japan.
Hakone
Famous for its hot springs, or onsen, Hakone is an ideal place for relaxation. In addition to its natural beauty, you can also enjoy views of Mount Fuji, visit the open-air museum, and take a ride on the scenic Hakone Ropeway.
Yokohama
As Japan's second largest city, Yokohama offers a variety of attractions, including Minato Mirai, a beautiful waterfront district with shopping, dining, and a stunning skyline. Also, don't miss the historic Yokohama Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in Japan.
Kawasaki
Known for the Kawasaki Daishi Temple, it is a popular spot for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year). The city also hosts the famous Kawasaki Halloween Parade, which attracts participants from all over the world for its creative and sometimes outrageous costumes.
Other information about Enoshima Island
Official site about Enoshima Island :
https://www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/spot/enoshima/
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Thank you for reading to the end.
( Written by Tatsuo Ikura )
