Enoshima is a popular sun and sea tourist spot floating in Sagami Bay. Many tourists visit throughout the year due to its easy access, being only an hour away from the city center. Although it is a small island, it is full of attractive tourist spots such as shrines, aquariums, and observation lighthouses. This time, we will introduce in detail Enoshima, Kanagawa Prefecture, a popular tourist spot of sun and sea, an hour’s drive from central Tokyo.
- ①Shonan’s number one tourist spot! ! What kind of place is [Enoshima]?
- ➁History of Enoshima.
- ❶Depicted in Katsushika Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji”
- ❷In the past, there was no bridge, so you could walk across when the tide was low.
- ➂Sightseeing spots in Enoshima
- ❶Enoshima Sea Candle.
- ❷Enoshima Iwaya
- ❸Eshima Shrine
- ❹Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street.
- ❺Best sunset spots in Enoshima.
- ❻New Enoshima Aquarium.
- ④Festivals and events in Enoshima.
- ⑤Access information.
- Summary.
- Watch this place in the video! !
①Shonan’s number one tourist spot! ! What kind of place is [Enoshima]?
Shonan is the name of the coastline in central Kanagawa Prefecture, and is an area that is crowded with many tourists. Enoshima is a small island located in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a small island with an area of approximately 0.38 square kilometers (about the size of eight Tokyo Domes), a circumference of approximately 4 km, an altitude of 60 m, and a population of approximately 300 people.
Enoshima is a very famous tourist destination representing Shonan, and there are many famous sightseeing spots such as Enoshima Shrine, Enoshima Sea Candle, and Benzaiten Nakamise Street.
Enoshima has also been used as the setting for entertainment such as the manga Slam Dunk'', the animeTARI TARI”, and the popular band Southern All Stars’ “Katte ni Sinbad”. Additionally, a pleasure boat is currently in operation that connects the floating pier at Enoshima Bentenbashi to Chigogafuchi at the western tip of Enoshima in about 6 minutes, providing tourists with a fleeting sea trip.
➁History of Enoshima.
Here we will introduce the history of Enoshima in detail.
❶Depicted in Katsushika Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji”
Enoshima appears in a work called “Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji” by Katsushika Hokusai, a famous ukiyo-e artist from the Edo period. This work depicts people walking along a sandy approach to Enoshima.
❷In the past, there was no bridge, so you could walk across when the tide was low.
Enoshima used to have no bridges. The bridge was built around the middle of the Meiji period.
Before that, people crossed by ferry or by walking on sandbars at low tide. Currently, it is connected by two bridges, one for pedestrians and one for cars.
➂Sightseeing spots in Enoshima
Here we will introduce you to Enoshima’s tourist spots in detail.
❶Enoshima Sea Candle.
Enoshima Sea Candle is an observation lighthouse located within Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, a botanical garden located at the top of Enoshima. It is approximately 60m high, and tourists can climb to the observation deck on the top floor and enjoy a 360° view of the surrounding area. By the way, you can easily get to this point using the paid escalator.
❷Enoshima Iwaya
Enoshima Iwaya is a sea cave located in the innermost part of Enoshima. A sea cave is a cave-like hole created by the impact of waves hitting the coast. It is 152m deep and is said to lead to Mt. Fuji, which is far away. It is also a historically important place, as it has connections with Kobo Daishi, Nichiren Shonin, and Minamoto no Yoritomo.
❸Eshima Shrine
Enoshima Shrine is the collective name for three shrines on Enoshima: Hetsukumiya, Nakatsunomiya, and Okustunomiya. Each shrine is dedicated to Japan’s three major Benzaiten deities. Benzaiten is known as the goddess of water and is said to bring good luck in finances, art, and learning.
❹Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street.
Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street is a shopping street that runs from the entrance of Enoshima to the approach to Enoshima Shrine. Enoshima’s largest downtown area is lined with inns, restaurants, and souvenir shops, and is crowded with tourists every day. You can enjoy shopping and snacks.
❺Best sunset spots in Enoshima.
Enoshima has many sunset spots. Among these, the best sunset spot that is especially recommended is the cove that stretches out through the back alleys of Enoshima Benzaiten Shopping Street. This cove is the best sunset spot that many people visit at sunset time. You can also see Mt. Fuji.
❻New Enoshima Aquarium.
▲On rare occasions, sand sculptures are made on the beach near Enoshima Aquarium. You might be lucky if you can see it.
Enoshima Aquarium is an aquarium located on the Katase coast on the opposite shore. The original name was Enoshima Aquarium,'' which opened in 1954, but the name was changed toNew Enoshima Aquarium” after its grand opening in 2004. Recommended activities include dolphin shows, aquarium idols, and petting otters.
④Festivals and events in Enoshima.
Click here to learn more about Enoshima’s festivals and events.
❶Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival.
The Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival is a fireworks festival held twice every October at Nishihama, Katase Coast. The highlight is that 900 fireworks are launched in 20 minutes each day.
❷The first sunrise of the year and a shrine visit in Enoshima.
Many Japanese people visit shrines on New Year’s Day. It is also said that seeing the first sunrise on New Year’s Day brings good luck. Enoshima is the best spot. Peak congestion is between 6am and 8am. During the year-end and New Year holidays, the train runs all day long, so you can also come to this place by train.
❸Enoshima Sea Candle Light-up Event.
Enoshima Sea Candle Light Up Event is a light up event at Enoshima Sea Candle. It is held every year from late November to late February of the following year. An artistic light-up event will also be held at the botanical garden.
⑤Access information.
Here you will find detailed information about access to Enoshima. The address of Enoshima is 1-chome and 2-chome, Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
❶Route from Tokyo to Enoshima by car.
| Tokyo IC ⇒ Via Tomei/Ken-O Expressway/Shin-Shonan Bypass ⇒ Chigasaki Kaigan IC ⇒ National Route 134 Enoshima |
❷About traffic regulations to Enoshima.
General cars are prohibited from entering Enoshima Island from 10pm to 5am. However, residents’ authorized vehicles and people are allowed to pass.
Summary.
This time, we introduced popular sightseeing spots in Enoshima, Kanagawa Prefecture, an hour’s drive from the city center and the sun and sea. Enoshima is a small island, only about eight times the size of Tokyo Dome, but it has many popular tourist spots. Another appeal is that you can get there in just an hour by car from the city center. When you visit Kanagawa Prefecture, we highly recommend that you stop by Enoshima.
▲Enoshima
▲Official site
Watch this place in the video! !
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