HOME Tokyo and Surroundings Kanagawa Kamakura A Mountain Sunset Like Never Before at Japan's Hidden Enoshima Island
A Mountain Sunset Like Never Before at Japan's Hidden Enoshima Island

A Mountain Sunset Like Never Before at Japan's Hidden Enoshima Island

Last updated: 10 July 2020

An island of leisure and tourism, Enoshima is a popular spot where you can enjoy yourself to the fullest. The streets are lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, and there are parks and launch points for marine sports close at hand. Visit this popular seaside spot, located just about one hour from Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture

  1. 1
    Enoshima Aquarium is a Popular Relaxation Spot
  2. 2
    Pay a visit to Enoshima-jinja Shrine
  3. 3
    Visit the Observation Tower and Lighthouse Enoshima Sea Candle
  4. 4
    Enjoy Shirasu, the Local Specialty of Enoshima
  5. 5
    Have the World's Best Breakfast at "Bills Shichirigahama"
1

Enoshima Aquarium is a Popular Relaxation Spot

Enoshima Aquarium is a Popular Relaxation Spot

Enoshima Aquarium is located three minutes' walk from Katase-Enoshima Station. They exercise considerable ingenuity to present you with a variety of marine life, including the large tank recreating the underwater world of Sagami Bay and the beach for sea turtles. Dolphin shows are held three to five times a day. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, they have two types of dolphin shows as well as a pool for penguins and seals. Jellyfish Fantasy Hall has a permanent display of 15 kinds of gently floating jellyfish. Owing to its soothing atmosphere, this magical, mystical space is an especially popular spot.

2

Pay a visit to Enoshima-jinja Shrine

Pay a visit to Enoshima-jinja Shrine

A 15-minute walk from Enoshima Aquarium across Enoshima-ohashi Bridge will get you to the entrance of the approach, marked by a bronze torii (shrine gate) built in 1747. Pass under the torii and through the streets of the approach, lively with souvenir shops and restaurants, and you'll see a scarlet torii ahead of you.

The go-shinmon (roofed shrine gate) is located up a flight of stone steps. Proceed onward to reach Enoshima-jinja Shrine. This shrine consists of three shrine buildings: Hetsunomiya, Nakatusnomiya, and Okutsunomiya. Three sister goddesses are enshrined, each at their respective shrine. In addition, Hoanden enshrines a statue of Benzaiten that is one of the three great Benzaiten of Japan.

3

Visit the Observation Tower and Lighthouse Enoshima Sea Candle

Visit the Observation Tower and Lighthouse Enoshima Sea Candle

Enoshima's Samuel Cocking Garden is located five minutes' walk up the slope from Enoshima-jinja Shrine. The site, which has a great view, has been arranged on the ruins of a large garden built in a blended Western-Japanese style in 1880 by the English trader Samuel Cocking. The observation tower/lighthouse Enoshima Sea Candle is located on the garden's grounds, and you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the ocean from 100 m above sea level from its top. Weather permitting, Mt. Fuji can be seen from here. Admission to Samuel Cocking Garden is 200 JPY. To go up Enoshima Sea Candle is 300 JPY (one adult).

Mt. Fuji Sunset

Mt. Fuji Sunset

From Enoshima Sea Candle, continue walking west along the path and follow signs to the Iwaya Caves. (Ocean-carved over millennia, the caves are something to behold - check the link below!) As you descend and head to the rocky shoreline, on a clear day you can catch a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji in its grandest form!

4

Enjoy Shirasu, the Local Specialty of Enoshima

Enjoy Shirasu, the Local Specialty of Enoshima

When you get hungry after the long walk, you should go to Enoshima Uomitei where you can enjoy dishes made from high-quality seafood. Shirasu-don (a bowl of rice topped with young sardines), using shirasu caught fresh that morning, is especially popular. Fresh shirasu goes bad quickly, so this dish is a local specialty available only in areas close to port. However, it isn't always available because supplies depend on the amount caught that day. If shirasu-don is not available, you can try kamaage-shirasu, which is shirasu boiled in salt water and dried in the sun.

The island's famous enoshima-don also comes recommended. It's a bowl of rice topped with fresh turban shell meat cooked in warishita (stock mixed with soy sauce, mirin and sugar) and mixed with beaten egg.

  • Enoshima Uomitei
    江ノ島 魚見亭
    • Address 2-5-7, Enoshima, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, 251-0036, Japan
5

Have the World's Best Breakfast at "Bills Shichirigahama"

Have the World's Best Breakfast at "Bills Shichirigahama"

Shichirigahama is located a 10-minute ride three stations away from Enoshima Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway. The ocean view from the windows of the train as it runs along the coastal road is exceptional. When you arrive at Shichirigahama, head for the beach and go to Bills Shichirigahama, which is open all day for casual dining. This is the first of the chain opened overseas. Bills' main shop is located in Sydney and its breakfast has been praised as being the best in the world. It is tremendously popular and attracts even Hollywood stars. Enjoy their popular fluffy ricotta hotcakes alongside an ocean view.

  • Bills Shichirigahama
    bills 七里ヶ浜
    • Address 1-1-1, Shichirigahama, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa, 248-0026, Japan
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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