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Enoshima Island is a perfect day trip from Tokyo, and you could even do it in half a day, combining it with Kamakura thanks to its proximity and excellent transport connections. Here’s what to do in Enoshima so you don’t miss a thing!
Planning more easy trips around Tokyo?
Enoshima is one of those “just a quick seaside day trip” places that somehow turns into shrines, caves, sea views, snacks, sunset drama, and suddenly we are emotionally attached to an island. If you’re building a bigger Tokyo-area itinerary, these guides will help you connect the dots without turning your trip into a train-map meltdown.
- Where to Eat in Kamakura — perfect if you’re pairing Enoshima with Kamakura and need lunch that is not just convenience-store panic.
- Best Day Trips from Tokyo — for more easy escapes when the city gets a little too neon and your soul requests trees, temples, or sea air.
- Best Places to See Near Tokyo — nearby ideas for culture, nature, and “we left Tokyo but not dramatically” adventures.
- What to Do in Yokohama with Kids — a great add-on if you want waterfront walks, family-friendly museums, and big-city fun without Tokyo intensity.
- Best Japan Itinerary — useful if Enoshima is one stop in a wider Japan route and you need the whole trip to make sense.
- What to Wear in Japan — because seaside winds, shrine stairs, humid afternoons, and “why did I wear these shoes?” are all very real travel villains.
Table of Contents
How to get to Enoshima from Tokyo
Getting to Enoshima from Tokyo is relatively easy. There are two train stations within walking distance of the island: Enoshima Station, about 20 minutes away, and Katase-Enoshima Station, 15 minutes away. Here are the best options for getting there:
- From Shinjuku, take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Fujisawa, then transfer to the scenic Enoden train, which will take you directly to Enoshima for about ¥650. Plan to visit other areas, such as Kamakura. You might be interested in purchasing the Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass, which allows unlimited train travel in the area for one day.
- From Tokyo Station, you can take the JR Tokaido Line to Fujisawa and then transfer to the Enoden train . The entire journey costs about ¥1150 .
How to get to Enoshima from Kamakura
If you visit Kamakura first, then go to Enoshima, take the Enoden Line, which will get you from Kamakura Station to Enoshima Station in about 20 minutes. The fare is ¥260. To get to Kamakura Station from Tokyo, the best connection is to take the Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station.
What to do in Enoshima
Enoshima Benten Bridge
The entrance to Enoshima is via the 600-meter-long Enoshima Benten Bridge , which offers excellent views of the coastline, beaches, and the island in the distance. The marina was built to host the sailing competitions at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Benten-Nakamise Street
Upon entering the island, the first thing you’ll see is Nakamisedori Street, which you reach after crossing the Enoshima Benten Bridge and passing through a green bronze torii gate . It’s lined with small shops and restaurants where you can buy souvenirs or sample delicious Japanese street food. The street climbs towards the hill and Enoshima Shrine .
Enoshima Shrine
A must-see on the island is the Enoshima Shrine , dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten , the deity of water and music, actually composed of three temples: Hetsumiya , Nakatsumiya and Okutsumiya , which welcome you with their red torii gates and surrounded by lush vegetation.
Access is via a steep staircase, the Otokozaka slope , through the Zuishinmon entrance gate with its large red torii . Next to Hetsunomiya is Hoanden, which houses the Benzaiten statues. Entry to the shrine is free, while entry to the Hoanden costs ¥150.
“Escar” escalators
You have the option of taking the escalator, ” Escar ,” to the shrine, which makes the climb much easier. The ascent feels like diving into the sea thanks to the lighting. The escalator has several sections, so at the stops you can enjoy the viewpoints overlooking the coast and harbor, and visit the various shrines. The price to ride the escalator is ¥360 , but you can also purchase the Enoshima 1-day pass for ¥1100 , which includes the escalator ride, a visit to the Sea Candle observation tower , the Iwaya Caves , and the Samuel Cocking Garden .
Iwaya Caves
Another attraction on Enoshima is the Iwaya Caves, two caves carved into the cliffs by seawater over the centuries. One of them was the site of the Enoshima Shrine and is associated with local legends. A unique candlelit walk allows visitors to explore the hidden corners of these mysterious caves. The path leading to the caves also offers magnificent views of the sea and the rocks where the waves crash.
A legend tells of a five-headed dragon that brought misfortune to the island but was transformed upon marrying the goddess Benzaiten. When it died, it became Mount Ryukō , on the opposite shore of Enoshima, and even today it is said to protect the island and bring good fortune in love. Inside the cave, you will encounter the dragon. The entrance fee is ¥500 , and the cave is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Chigogafuchi Abyss
On the way to the caves, you’ll come across a stretch of rocky coastline called Chigogafuchi Abyss , which is accessible, although you should be careful of the waves. This area rose 1 meter above sea level during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
Enoshima Sea Candle (Observation Lighthouse), a must-see on the island
The iconic Sea Candle Lighthouse , perched atop the hill, is a 60-meter-tall observatory located in Samuel Cocking Garden . It offers the best panoramic views of the island, the ocean, and, on clear days, the majestic Mount Fuji . Don’t miss the sunset from here, when the lighthouse’s lights create a magical atmosphere. Admission is ¥500 and includes entry to Samuel Cocking Garden . It is open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Samuel Cocking Garden
Located near the lighthouse, Samuel Cocking Garden is filled with exotic species and tranquil pathways. It’s a perfect place to stroll among the flowers and enjoy the island’s serenity. It boasts an extensive collection of seasonal plants and flowers, including some tropical varieties. This small park was built on the site of the former residence of Samuel Cocking , a British merchant, in the 1880s. Because the garden blends Japanese and Western styles, it offers a unique landscape. During the Shonan no Hoseki illumination event, thousands of lights illuminate the garden at night.
Love Bell
The Love Bell, or Ryūren Bell, is located on Lover’s Hill , on the southwest side of the island. It is said that if you ring the bell with your partner, the relationship will last forever. Around the bell tower, you can find thousands of padlocks with names engraved on them, brought by couples hoping for eternal love.
Enoshima Daishi Temple
On the way to the caves from the top of the hill you pass by this Buddhist temple where the most striking feature is the red statues that flank the entrance to the enclosure.
Enoshima Island Spa (Enospa)
It’s an onsen where you can soak in natural hot springs and enjoy stunning views while you relax. The price depends on the package you choose, starting from ¥3000 .
Enoshima Aquarium
Another must-see is Enoshima Aquarium. It’s renowned for its extensive collection of marine life, including both local and exotic species, making it an ideal destination for families and nature lovers alike. The entrance fee is ¥ 2800 , and it’s open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s located in Fujisawa , just outside the island.
Hidden Gems in Enoshima
Traditional Japanese Café & Set Meal: “Tousha”
We crest the hill with everyone bee-lining for the famous lookout—and promptly zag. Down the quieter path sits Tousha, a time-capsule of a café where the breeze smells like soy and charcoal. One grilled rice ball later—shock, awe, lifelong devotion.
What to order
Start saintly with the grilled rice ball (yaki onigiri)—smoky, blistered, brushed with sauce—and then watch it arrive as a full miniature set: day’s side, pickles, and clam miso soup deepened with aka miso. The rice uses seasoned grains and the mix-ins shift with the seasons (that’s your cue to come back).
Upgrade path
The Fried Chicken Set with Japanese pepper (sanshō) & fresh seaweed is everything Enoshima tastes like in one plate: big, ultra-crisp pieces, a tingle of sanshō heat, and an ocean-soft aroma from the seaweed. Three seasonal small plates orbit the main, and the rice comes crowned with butterbur-shoot miso—gently bitter, wildly satisfying.
Gallery & Café Gigi — a cat-themed backstreet hideout
We were not hunting for Gigi; Gigi found us—with a cat logo peeking out from the slope of souvenir shops. Curiosity won (cats: adorable; we’re only human). Step inside and the front room opens as a white-box gallery, all light and quiet, artworks displayed and for sale. Slip further and—plot twist—there’s a tiny three-seat café. It feels like a secret base someone left unlocked.
Order ideas
We went light—coffee and tea—but the cheesecake and chocolate cake looked like the sort of dessert that convinces you to miss your train.
Why we love it
It’s rare on Enoshima to find a spot where you can truly decompress, talk in low voices, and be surrounded by art instead of elbows. This one resets your senses.
Pro tip
If the seats are free, grab them immediately—then browse the gallery while your drinks are brewing.
The little sandy beach between shops (our hush-hush escape)
Yes, Enoshima equals ocean—usually viewed from the big stretch before the bridge. But inside the island there’s a pocket beach so small you’ll wonder if you imagined it. Thread a narrow passage between storefronts and—boom—sand, sea, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji floating like a sticker on the horizon.
What to do
Nothing. That’s the point. Sit. Breathe. Let the tourist buzz wash past. Come alone with a notebook or with someone you want to talk to for an hour without checking your phone.
Why it matters
Every crowded destination needs a pressure valve. This is Enoshima’s. Five minutes here and the island feels new again.
How to spot it
Find the slim gap between shops; if you can hear waves more than voices, you’re close.
Pro tip (cryptic on purpose)
It’s near a stall that grills fresh dango. Follow the fragrance, then the hush. Protect the secret, but bring a friend who won’t share it on ten different reels.
Enoshima 1 day Pass
Enoshima 1 day Pass includes the Escar escalators , Samuel Cocking Garden , Sea Candle Tower and Iwaya Caves , for ¥1100 , so it’s a saving if you plan to visit those sites.
What to eat in Enoshima
Enoshima’s local cuisine is another reason not to miss this visit. The island is famous for its fresh seafood, and here are some dishes you should try: Shirasu-don , one of Enoshima’s most iconic dishes, is a bowl of rice topped with small fish fry; Tako senbei , available in octopus or shrimp varieties, are giant , thin crackers made with rice flour.
Where to eat in Enoshima
If you’re looking for a restaurant during your island stroll, Enoshima-tei is a great option , known for its delicious fresh seafood bowls and ocean views. Keep in mind that you’ll likely have to queue for a table, as it’s a very popular spot.
Where to stay in Enoshima
If you decide to spend a night on the island or in the surrounding area, here are our recommendations: the Enoshima Island Spa & Hotel is directly linked to the popular Enospa , making it a perfect choice if you’re looking for total relaxation, with ocean views and access to hot springs all in one place.
Iwamotoro Honkan Ryokan offers a traditional experience, a ryokan with beautiful tatami rooms and private hot spring baths, an ideal place to experience authentic Japanese hospitality with the tranquility of the island.
If you prefer to stay on the mainland, the EN Fujisawa Hotel is an excellent option in Fujisawa City, just a few minutes from Enoshima by train, with modern, comfortable rooms at affordable prices.
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