Tokyo to Enoshima: Your Guide to the Perfect Seaside Day Trip
An hour from Tokyo, Enoshima (江の島) is a tiny, touristy island connected by a bridge to the mainland. Located in Kanagawa Prefecture in Fujisawa City (藤沢市) and enclosed by Kamakura, it is full of places to see and makes a nice day trip from Tokyo regardless of the season.
I've visited Enoshima many times and I’m happy to share in this Enoshima travel guide my recommendations for making the most of your time on this fantastic island.
How to Get to Enoshima from Tokyo
Enoshima is easily accessible from central Tokyo in about 1 hour by train. I usually stop at Katase-Enoshima station on the Odakyu line, with only a 15-minute walk to reach the small island. You will see the train station itself is quite cute!
Things to Do in Enoshima
Enjoy the Food and Shopping in Benten Nakamise Dori Street
One of the first things to enjoy after crossing the Enoshima Benten Bridge (江の島弁天橋) and arriving on the island is Benzaiten Nakamise Dori Street (江の島弁財天仲見世通り), full of small stores and restaurants where you can find small souvenirs or taste Japanese street food, including local seafood, ice cream or beer.
Visit Enoshima’s Shrines and Temples
Enoshima Shrine (江島神社) is actually composed of three shrines: Hetsumiya (辺津宮), Nakatsumiya (中津宮) and Okutsumiya (奥津宮). You can learn more about the shrines on the official website of Fujisawa. The walk along the stairs from one shrine to another is very pleasant and offers beautiful views of the surrounding nature and the seaside.
✨ TRAVELY TIP: If you want to avoid climbing too many stairs, you can take the Enoshima Escar, Japan's first outdoor escalator, built in 1959. At 106 metres long, the escalator offers a total rise of 46 metres over 4 sections. While it takes 20 minutes to climb the stone steps, the Enoshima Escar takes just 4 minutes to reach the top. Note that this escalator only goes upward.
I also recommend you to visit Enoshima’s Buddhist temple, Enoshima Daishi (江の島大師). You can’t miss it with its two red statues at the entrance. The temple's architecture, statues and lanterns exude a sense of serenity, and has an overall lovely atmosphere.
Relax in the Samuel Cocking Garden
SeaCandle in Enoshima
Flowers being a kind of addiction for me, Samuel Cocking Garden (江の島サムエル・コッキング苑) is one of my favorite places in Enoshima. This very well maintained botanical garden was established by English merchant Samuel Cocking in 1862 and has both Japanese and European influences. It has nice little paths, a cute café and an observation deck called SeaCandle, one of the symbols of Enoshima. SeaCandle is a lighthouse observation tower that stands at a height of about 60 meters, and 120 meters above sea level, and provides stunning 360 degree panoramic views of Sagami Bay.
The entrance to Samuel Cocking Garden is free (except during special events) but access to SeaCandle costs ¥450.
Explore the Enoshima Forested Hill up to Iwaya Cave
The walk to the south side of Enoshima is charming. There are several small cafes and restaurants with observatories and beautiful views of the Pacific ocean and Sagami Bay along the way. Lovers' Hill is the perfect place for a romantic walk. The Lovers' Dragon Bell (Ryuren no Kane, 龍恋の鐘) rings in the area when couples ring it, as it is said that couples who do so will always stay together.
Once you arrive at the south of the island, at Chigogafuchi Abyss (稚児ヶ淵), you can visit Iwaya Cave (江の島岩屋) for a few hundred yen, with its two caves, its statues and a beautiful walk along the sea shore.
Relax in one of Enoshima's Cafés
With all this exploring, it can be nice to have a break to relax in one of Enoshima’s cute cafés. There are several options to choose from and here are two options I have tried and would recommend : enjoying a kakigori (かき氷), a Japanese shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup and a sweetener, often condensed milk with a nice sea view at Yurantei (遊覧亭), try one of the Japanese sweets served at Shima-no-chaya Aburaya (島の茶屋あぶらや), look at their pretty postcards and pet the local cat.
Kakigori at Yurantei
Macha Float at Shima-no-chaya Aburaya
See the Sunset on the Southern Coast of Enoshima
After a good day of exploring, it is very rewarding to find a nice spot on the rocky waterfront and enjoy the sunset on a sunny day. Here are some photos of the sunset when I visited in early November (the sun was setting around 4:45pm at this time of year).
A Few Travel Tips to Make the Most of Your Enoshima Day Trip
When to Go? Enjoy Enoshima Each Season
Enoshima is an excellent day trip regardless of the season!
If you visit in summer, you can start or end your day at Katase Higashihama or Nishihama Beaches and swim in the ocean.
It is crowded in the summer, as you would expect. But to be honest, compared to some of the comments I had read online about how crowded this beach could be, it was not as bad as I expected. And I went on a Saturday in August!
There are also beautiful night illumination events organized through the year. In summer, the Lantern Festival takes place with lanterns and light shows displayed around the island.
Enoshima Lantern Festival 2023 (photos by @bonjour.dora)
In the fall, the Samuel Cocking Garden hosts a candlelight illumination event that is well worth a visit. As soon as the sun disappears, thousands of candles are lit and the atmosphere becomes definitely magical and romantic.
✨ TRAVELY TIP: If you plan to attend the illuminations in November, be sure to buy your tickets when you pass by the garden during the day, as access to the garden is no longer free after 5pm. As a precaution, I had thought to buy my tickets on the afternoon of our visit because there was no line at the vending machine when I passed by the garden. And I did the right thing, because as we exited the Samuel Cocking Garden in the early evening, after we had finished enjoying the illuminations, there was a very very long line of people waiting to buy their tickets.
Saving Tip: Consider One of the Enoshima Value Tickets
If you’re planning to visit several of the places already mentioned (SeaCandle, Iwaya Cave…), there are a few value tickets that allow you to visit Enoshima’s attractions at a discounted price. You can find more information about these value tickets on Fujisawa official website.
Visiting on a Rainy Day? Check Out These Indoor Activity Ideas
Here are some additional ideas of things to do in Enoshima if you have the time and depending on the weather:
Enoshima Aquarium (新江ノ島水族館): Located on the beach, this aquarium opened in 1954 and was the first modern aquarium in Japan. It is particularly known for its exhibition about jellyfishes named ‘Disco Jelly’. You can also access to the shop (even if you do not own a ticket) full of great souvenirs such as local products. I haven’t visited myself but this aquarium was warmly recommended by a friend. You can purchase your Enoshima Aquarium ticket in advance on KKday.
Enoshima Island Spa (江の島アイランドスパ): A day spa on Enoshima island that has an amazing view on the sea, and on Mt Fuji on clear days.
Where to Eat on Enoshima
There are plenty of options when it comes to restaurants at the entrance of Enoshima and along Benzaiten Nakamise Dori Street. The local food to try is Shirasu, a type of whitebait, that you can eat as Shirasu Don (Shirasu Rice Bowl) or Nama Shirasu (Raw sashimi slices of Shirasu). The taste of shirasu is quite light, and accommodated with a little soy sauce, it’s delicious!
But my recommendation in around Benzaiten Nakamise Dori Street is not for Shirasu, but for fried tuna or Tuna Katsu, with local beer, which we tried in Shimawarashi (島童子). It was so tasty! I recommend you take their Tuna Katsu Teishoku, as it also includes a small Shirasu Don.
If you are looking for a restaurant during your stroll through the island, then my recommendation goes to Enoshima-tei (江之島亭) for its delicious fresh seafood bowls and views of the ocean. Note that you'll probably have to queue for a table, as it's a popular place.
Where to Stay Around Enoshima
If you are thinking of staying overnight in Enoshima to enjoy this wonderful island for longer, here are a few recommendations:
Iwamotoro — Located on the island's main street, this ryokan offers two superb onsen, a swimming pool overlooking the Pacific ocean and Mount Fuji, and a hearty breakfast. You can also enjoy wonderful views from the room, and waking up to the sun and Fuji in the distance can be an amazing way to start a new day on Enoshima!
IZA Enoshima Guest House and Bar — For a more budget-friendly option, this guesthouse provides both dormitory beds and cozy single rooms. Conveniently situated on the main street leading to Enoden Station, it’s surrounded by plenty of local shops and cafes.
➡️ For more accommodation options in Enoshima, you can check Agoda and Booking to find the best deals and locations that suit your travel plans.
Other Places to Visit Near Enoshima
Kanagawa Prefecture is full of fantastic destinations for easy day trips from Tokyo. Here are a few more ideas you might enjoy:
Kamakura is a fantastic and popular destination for a day trip from Tokyo, and especially in June when the rainy season transforms this ancient city full of temples and other sites into a hydrangea fairytale. ➡️ Read my One-Day Hydrangea Itinerary in Kamakura
If you are short on time, you might be interested in joining a one-day Kamakura and Enoshima day trip from Tokyo, with GetYourGuide or Klook.
Sarushima (猿島) is the only uninhabited island of Tokyo Bay, located not far from the port of Yokosuka. With its fort ruins, luxuriant forest, clear sea and barbecue and leisure facilities, it is great destination for a half-day or a full day trip from Tokyo. ➡️ Read my detailed Sarushima Guide to know more about this hidden gem in Tokyo Bay.
Enoshima Highlights Itinerary
To Conclude
I love going to Enoshima and never get tired of spending a day there. This little island is definitely one of the nicest day trips from Tokyo, all year around. I hope my article can help you have a memorable time there.
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This article was originally published on November 19 2022 and updated on May 25 2025.
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