a day trip to Enoshima
Here’s a snapshot of our evening trip to Enoshima from Tokyo. Enoshima is a small island located in Fujisawa city in the Sagami Bay. Although we wished we had more time to fully explore this charming island, our tight schedule only allowed for a brief visit. At least we got to experience the best part – golden hour leading into sunset.
How to get there
From Ginza Station in Tokyo, our journey to Enoshima Station took around 1 hour and 15 minutes, with the final leg aboard the Shonan Monorail – a suspended train offering a unique and scenic experience. Upon arriving at Enoshima Station, we walked across the Enoshima Benten Bridge, a 15-minute stroll that offered stunning ocean views.
1) Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise-Dori Street
Passed the tori gate, we walked up the Nakamise Dori Street, on our way to Enoshima Shrine. Originally made of wood, the gate was rebuilt in bronze in 1821, and the names of the financial donors who helped pay for it are carved on the gate.
The street was lined with small shops offering local specialties and souvenirs. Here are a few local delicacies to try:
- Shirasu (whitebait): Shirasu are tiny whitebait fish with a delicate, slightly briny flavor and tender texture. In Enoshima, they’re often freshly caught and used as a topping for dishes like donburi, pasta and even ice cream, making them a key local specialty.
- Tako senbei (octopus rice crackers): This is a traditional Enoshima snack linked to the island’s fishing heritage. Fresh octopus is pressed between hot metal plates, creating thin, crispy sheets with a distinctive crunch and savory flavor.
- Enoshima beer: Enoshima beer is a locally brewed craft beer known for its refreshing taste, often featuring ingredients like yuzu for a citrusy twist.
- Enoden monaka: This is a traditional Japanese sweet featuring a crisp, wafer-like shell filled with sweet red bean paste, and it’s available at shops around Enoshima and Kamakura, named after the Enoden train line connecting these historic areas.
2) Enoshima Shrine
Next, we made our way to Enoshima Shrine, an important spiritual spot dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. Enoshima has been a key pilgrimage site for a long time, tied to the legend of Benzaiten calming a dragon that once troubled the island. The shrine complex includes three connected shrines – Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya, all part of Enoshima Shrine. You can either climb the stairs to get to the shrines or take the Enoshima Escar (escalator) for a small fee, which only goes up.
3) Chigogafuchi Marine Plateau
We then went to Chigogafuchi Marine Plateau, a rugged coastal area renowned for its breathtaking views and natural tidal pools. This was the highlight of our Enoshima day trip, offering expansive ocean views and, on clear days, you can even see a glimpse of Mount Fuji. It was a peaceful spot where we could enjoy the fresh sea breeze, especially as the sun began to set.
4) Enoshima Iwaya Caves
From Chigogafuchi Marine Plateau, we walked to the Enoshima Iwaya Caves. Local legends tell of the caves once being the home of a dragon, and they are also linked to the goddess Benzaiten, who is said to have entered the caves to calm the dragon and bring peace to the island.
