Three reasons why you should visit Kamakura and Enoshima

Kamakura and Enoshima are two locations that should be on your itinerary. Kamakura, filled with its historical ambience, and Enoshima, with its variety of natural settings, are excellent stops for Japanese history, culture and nature.

The cultural heritage of KamakuraThe old samurai capital of Kamakura has a history going back more than eight centuries. A unique culture developed here when the samurai class came into power. In addition to shrines and temples, the many attractions of the town include Japanese cuisine (and sweets!), and the beauty of the four seasons. For an authentic experience of Japanese history and culture, head to Kamakura!
The nature of EnoshimaThroughout Enoshima you will find a variety of attractions that anyone can enjoy at any time of year, including the Shonan Observatory Lighthouse (Sea Candle) and a marine swimming area. There are also many restaurants that serve fresh seafood, excellent views, and plating styles worthy of a true gourmet’s social media feed.
Excellent access from TokyoFrom Shinjuku in Tokyo, the ride to Enoshima is about 65 minutes on the Odakyu Romancecar. For great savings, get an Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass, which includes unlimited travel on the Odakyu Line (between Fujisawa and Katase-Enoshima Stations) and on the Enoden Line.

A stroll through the old samurai capital of Kamakura

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Located in the center of Kamakura, this shrine has a deep association with the Minamoto Clan. The complex is surrounded by an abundance of nature that blends with the bright vermilion color of the shrine to create a beautiful scene that should not be missed.
Kotoku-in Temple (Great Buddha of Kamakura)

Kotoku-in temple is a Jodo Buddhist temple. The principle image is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, a National Treasure that is one of Japan’s three great Buddhas and is generally known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Rising about 11.3 meters, the face alone is 2.35 meters in height.
Houkoku-ji Temple

This temple is of the Kencho-ji school of the Rinzai sect and was founded by Tengan Eko. in 1334. Famous for its the thick bamboo groove, the temple offers pleasant scenery throughout the year.
Komachi-dori Street

This shopping street runs from Kamakura Station to Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine. The street is lined with shops selling specialty foods and sweets and is always filled with the energy and laughter of visitors.
AWkitchen GARDEN Kamakura

Using vegetables sourced from nearby farmers, this Italian restaurant is popular for its locally caught seafood. Watch the nearby Enoden trains pass from the open-air terrace garden.
SAMURAI Project

Located near Kita-Kamakura Station, this project is located in a 600-year-old Zen temple. Practice zazen meditation, learn how to wield a real katana, take part in a tea ceremony and experience other Japanese cultural activities.

Enoshima in ukiyo-e art

Enoshima coastline

In addition to providing views of Mount Fuji, the coastline of Enoshima looks out to the mountains of Hakone and Izu. In the evening, the setting sun creates a stunningly beautiful view.
Enoshima Sea Candle

Beloved as a symbol of Shonan, this lighthouse has an observatory with wonderful views of Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula and more. In winter the Sea Candle is lit up, creating an illusory ambience that is considered one of the three great illumination scenes of Kanto.
Enoshima Iwaya (cave)

This natural cave was created by the erosive action of waves. Items of historical and cultural importance are on exhibit inside.
iL-CHIANTI CAFE Enoshima

Located right next to the Enoshima Lighthouse, at this Italian restaurant you can gaze out over the ocean while savoring authentic Italian cuisine, then savor the view of the sun as it sinks below the horizon.
Tobiccho

Enjoy Enoshima’s specialty shirasu-don at this restaurant. Made with rice and whitefish (immature fry) from that day’s catch, it doesn’t get any fresher! (Freshly boiled whitefish is served instead during the closed fishing season, January 1 to March 10, and when necessary due to fishing conditions.).
Marudai Sensui

This tidepool seafood specialty restaurant is operated by a seafood wholesaler. Enjoy spiny lobster, raw whitefish, sazae (horned turban) and other delectable seafood from Enoshima.

Only about 65 minutes from Tokyo

About 65 minutes to Kamakura from Shinjuku in the heart of Tokyo via the Odakyu Romancecar.

Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass

The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass is valid for unlimited rides throughout the designated area.
There are so many ways to enjoy Enoshima. In summer especially, get a tan at the local beaches and have fun in the sun. Among the attractions are an aquarium to visit and caves to tickle your fancy of adventure. The historical city of Kamakura has numerous beautiful temples and shrines. The Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass is an economical pass that lets you travel around these two areas to your heart's content. From Fujisawa, take the Enoden Line to beautiful Enoshima and wander down the coastline to enjoy the scenery with unlimited on-and-off riding priveleges. Kamakura, the last stop on the line, is the gateway to the city's historical temples, traditional gardens and the famous Great Buddha.

The Shonan area, where Enoshima and Kamakura are located, is known for its Pacific Ocean beaches and attractions. It has long been popular as a summer seaside resort close to Tokyo. Enoshima, the symbol island of Shonan, can be easily reached on foot by a bridge. A lighthouse, botanical gardens and shrines are popular draws. Kamakura is a historical site surrounded on 3 sides by hills and facing the ocean at its front. Numerous shrines and temples include the Great Buddha of Kamakura, and the streets of Kamakura are filled with atmosphere from its long and venerable history and traditional culture.

Enjoy the magnificent view from the Enoshima Sea Candle

Known as the Sea Candle, the Enoshima Lighthouse Observation Tower stands 119.6 meters tall at the center of Enoshima, providing panoramic views of distant seas and mountains.

Kotoku-in Temple

The Great Buddha is a popular highlight of Kamakura excursions and is usually thronged with tourists all year round. You can even see inside the giant statue.

Hase-dera Temple

Located on a hill overlooking the Shonan coastline, this temple has a rich natural setting worth visiting especially during the rainy season (around June) and when the leaves turn color in fall (end of November to the beginning of December).

Komachi-dori Street

Near Kamakura Station, Komachi-dori Street is always thronging with tourists buying souvenirs, miscellaneous Japanese goods and stylish accessories.

Enoshima Island Spa

After bathing in hot spring water from 1500 meters below ground while gazing at the ocean, enjoy the excellent restaurants.

Enoden

Enoden is your ticket to Enoshima and Kamakura. Linking Fujisawa, Enoshima and Kamakura.

Event Calendar

Hase-Dera Temple Maple Tree Illumination

When the trees on the temple grounds turn beautiful colors in fall, they are lit up in a show of beauty that should not be missed.

Address

Hase-dera temple
Duration

Starting late November
URL

http://www.hasedera.jp/en/about/

The Gems of Shonan (Enoshima Sea Candle Illumination)

The illumination of the Enoshima Sea Candle was certified as one of the Great Three Illumination Shows of Kanto in 2012 and as a Night Scene Heritage of Japan in 2013. Also ranked as the most beautiful lighthouse in the country, the Sea Candle become as one with nature, the light creating a spellbinding night show in winter.

Address

Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, other
Duration

Early December to mid-January
URL

Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival

Some 3000 splendidly colorful fireworks light up the clear autumn skies. Particularly worth seeing is the great circle of flowers created by the only extra large firework (diameter: 500 meters) in the Shonan area.

Address

Enoshima
Duration

Third Saturday in October
URL

Enoshima Festival

This festival is filled with fun things to do, such as Hawaiian events, an outdoor music festival, a Shonan photo contest, and an exhibit of Shonan and Kamakura landscape paintings.

Address

Enoshima
Duration

Late September to early November
URL

Enoshima Lanterns

From the entrance to Enoshima to the Enoshima Iwaya (caves), more than 1000 lanterns are laid out, imparting an atmosphere of Japanese harmony. The lanterns are patterned in a style for the Enoshima legend, “The Legend of the Goddess and the 5-Headed Dragon,” enveloping the entire island in a mystical atmosphere.

Address

Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, other
Duration

Early to late August
URL

Kamakura Fireworks Festival

This traditional fireworks show is carried out each year at the Kamakura coast. Of particular fame is the underwater fireworks that come up out of the water.

Address

Kamakura coast
Duration

Late July
URL

Rose Festival

Enjoy 250 rosebushes of some 200 varieties in a rose garden. There are garden concerts and rose-related events during the festival.

Address

Kamakura Museum of Literature
Duration

Mid-May to late June
URL

Kamakura Matsuri (festival)

Held in spring in Kamakura ever year since 1959. Centered on Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine, this festival has a variety of events held around the city. Particularly noteworthy are the yabusame event recalling the courage of the Kamakura samurai, and the Shizuka no mai, the dance of Princess Shizuka.

Address

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine, other
Duration

Second to third Sunday of April
URL

Shonan-Enoshima Spring Festival

In time for the start of the regular tourism season, this festival is held over two days and brings the feeling of Enoshima in spring to visitors.

Address

Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, other
Duration

Mid-March
URL

The Gems of Shonan (Finale)

This event of lights celebrates the finale of the Enoshima winter tulips. Light flickers from mirror balls, creating a magnificent world of the imagination.

Address

Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, other
Duration

Early to mid-February
URL

The Gems of Shonan (Enoshima Winter Tulips)

In beautiful coordination, 20,000 winter tulips bloom together in the Samuel Cocking Garden with the Enoshima Sea Candle as a focal point. At night, illumination on the tulips makes for a spectacular sight.

Address

Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, other
Duration

January
URL

Gosho-jinja Shrine Festival

Gosho-jinja shrine, literally “five shrines,” gets its name from the five shrines in town devoted to the guardian god of the lumber trade guild. On the day of the festival, the portable shrine is carried through town, and at about 3 p.m., a ritual is performed in which the portable shrine is carried into the sea.