Iwaya Caves

The Enoshima Iwaya Caves have been created by coastal erosion for eons of time. It consists of two caves: Daiichi-iwaya (first cave) of 152 meters and Daini-iwaya (second cave) of 56 meters in length. The caves had been closed for years but reopened in 1993 after the renovations of the facilities around the caves. Having been worshiped since ancient times the legends goes that Kukai (Kobo-Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism) and Minamoto no Yoritomo who founded the Kamakura shogunate visited. The insides of these caves with illuminations and sound effects, stone statues and various exhibits tell us the history and culture of Enoshima Island. You can borrow candles inside the Daiichi cave (may not be available when the cave is too crowded) . From open space, stretching 128 meters in length, you can enjoy the vista of Mount Fuji stretching from Sagami Bay, Hakone and the Izu Peninsula. It is a 30-minute walk from ”Katase Enoshima” Station of the Odakyu Enoshima Line.