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Only a short train ride west of Kamakura, Enoshima (]‚Ì“‡) is a pleasantly touristy island just off the coast but connected by bridge with the mainland. The island offers a variety of attractions, including a shrine, park, observation tower and caves. Views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed on days with good visibility.

Enoshima is divided into a yacht harbor and a forested hill which can only be explored on foot (and paid escalators) and contains most of the sights. Several shrine buildings, collectively known as Enoshima Shrine, are found around the island and are dedicated to Benten, a popular goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge. Benten is believed to have created Enoshima before subduing a five headed dragon that was terrorizing the area.

An interesting aquarium and some of the closest beaches to Tokyo are located on the mainland just off Enoshima. The beaches on both sides of the island become very crowded with sun bathers and swimmers during July and August, while the long stretches of beach that continue to Chigasaki in the west and Kamakura in the east are popular for surfing.

Visitors to Enoshima should consider purchasing the Enoshima 1-Day combination ticket, which includes admission to the island's main attractions (garden, observation tower, caves) and use of the escalators for 1100 yen (or 1500 yen if visiting the Samuel Cocking Garden after 5pm). The ticket can be purchased at tourist information desks or the escalator ticket office.

On Enoshima Island

Enoshima Shrine

Hours: 8:30 to 16:30
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free (200 yen to see the Benten statue)

Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle

Hours: 9:00 to 20:00 (entry until 19:30)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 500 yen (garden; free before 5pm), 500 yen (Sea Candle)

Iwaya Caves

Hours: typically 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days (except when the weather is very bad)
Admission: 500 yen

Enoshima Daishi

Hours: 9:00 to 18:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

Enoshima Island Spa

Hours: 7:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1700-2200 yen (onsen only); 3000-4000 yen (all areas)
No-tattoo policy enforced

Love Bell

Southern coast

Shirasudon (shirasu donburi)

On the mainland near Enoshima

Enoshima Aquarium

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (from 10:00 from Dec to Feb)
Admission ends one hour before closing
Closed: Small number of irregular closing days
Admission: 2500 yen

Ryukoji Temple

Beaches

Getting there and around

Enoshima is served by three train and monorail lines, each of which has its separate station: Enoden (Enoshima Station), Odakyu Railway (Katase Enoshima Station near the aquarium) and the Shonan Monorail (Shonan Enoshima Station near Ryukoji Temple).

From Tokyo by Odakyu Railway

Take an express or rapid express train from Shinjuku bound for Fujisawa and transfer to a local train to Katase Enoshima, the terminal station. The entire one way trip takes 65-75 minutes and costs 640 yen. There are connections every 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, Romance Car limited express trains run directly between Shinjuku and Katase Enoshima (60 minutes, 1390 yen, or 1340 yen if using an e-ticket) every one or two hours on weekends and holidays.

Odakyu Railway also offers the Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass, which includes a round trip ticket between Shinjuku and Fujisawa and unlimited use of Enoden trains between Fujisawa and Kamakura and Odakyu trains between Fujisawa and Enoshima. The pass is valid for one day and costs 1640 yen. It is a good value if you also visit Kamakura, but it does not pay off if you visit Enoshima alone.

From Tokyo by Japan Railways (JR)

Take the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo Station or the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Fujisawa Station (45-50 minutes, 990 yen) and transfer to either the Enoden (10 minutes, 220 yen) or Odakyu Railway (7 minutes, 160 yen) for Enoshima. Alternatively, get off at Ofuna (40-45 minutes, 820 yen) and transfer to the Shonan Monorail for an exciting ride to Enoshima (15 minutes, 320 yen, stand or sit at the front of the car for interesting views).

From Kamakura

The one way trip between Kamakura and Enoshima by Enoden train takes 25 minutes and costs 260 yen. There are trains about every ten minutes.

Hotels around Kamakura

Top rated in Kamakura
Budget:
    • ŒÃ–¯‰Æ‚Ìh Š™‘qŠyˆÁ - Kamakura Rakuan -
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Kamakura and with Yuigahama Beach reachable within 300 metres, ŒÃ–¯‰Æ‚Ìh Š™‘qŠyˆÁ - Kamakura Rakuan - offers a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge. The property is located 1.3 km from Zaimokuza Beach, 3.4 km from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and 23 km from Sankeien. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, babysitting service and luggage storage for guests. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a fridge, an oven, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. The units feature a shared bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen. The area is popular for hiking and cycling, and bike hire is available at this 1-star hostel. Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km from the hostel, while Nissan Stadium is 32 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 43 km from ŒÃ–¯‰Æ‚Ìh Š™‘qŠyˆÁ - Kamakura Rakuan -.
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    • Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura
      Luxury
      Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura is located in Kamakura, within 20 km of Sankeien and 21 km of Yokohama Marine Tower. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. Guest rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Every room comes with a safety deposit box and selected rooms come with city views. At the hotel each room has bed linen and towels. Guests at Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Speaking English and Japanese at the reception, staff are ready to help around the clock. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 40 km from Hotel Metropolitan Kamakura.
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    • CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED
      Budget-friendly
      CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED has air-conditioned guest accommodation in Kamakura, 600 metres from Yuigahama Beach, 1.2 km from Zaimokuza Beach and 2.8 km from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. This 2-star guest house offers full-day security and luggage storage space. Nissan Stadium is 32 km away and Higashiyamata Park is 38 km from the guest house. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also boast free WiFi. At the guest house, each unit includes bed linen and towels. Sankeien is 23 km from the guest house, while Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 42 km from CASA Kamakura Espresso&BED.
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    • Guest House Irodori Kamakura
      Budget-friendly
      Set just less than 1 km from Yuigahama Beach, Guest House Irodori Kamakura offers accommodation in Kamakura with access to a bar, a shared lounge, as well as a concierge service. With free WiFi, this 1-star guest house offers a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen. The guest house has family rooms and facilities for disabled guests. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a shared bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen including a microwave, fridge and kitchenware. Some units feature a seating area and/or a terrace. At the guest house, all units are allergy-free. The traditional restaurant at the guest house specialises in Japanese cuisine, and is open for dinner and lunch. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at Guest House Irodori Kamakura. Zaimokuza Beach is less than 1 km from the accommodation, while Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is a 19-minute walk from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 41 km from Guest House Irodori Kamakura.
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    • BIRD HOTEL
      Mid-range
      Located 400 metres from Yuigahama Beach, BIRD HOTEL offers 3-star accommodation in Kamakura and features a garden, a restaurant and a bar. Featuring a sun terrace, this property is situated near attractions such as Zaimokuza Beach. Free WiFi and room service are provided. Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Each room is fitted with air conditioning, a desk and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at BIRD HOTEL have a balcony. At the accommodation all rooms have bed linen and towels. Breakfast is available daily, and includes ? la carte, continental and American options. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from BIRD HOTEL, while Sankeien is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 42 km from the hotel.
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    • Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kamakura, just 300 metres from Yuigahama Beach, Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji provides beachfront accommodation with a garden, a shared lounge and free WiFi. The 2-star guest house features garden views and is 1.4 km from Zaimokuza Beach. The guest house has facilities for disabled guests. Certain units in the guest house have private entrance and are equipped with desk and dressing room. Units are complete with a shared bathroom, while some units at the guest house also offer a seating area. At the guest house, some units are soundproof. Guests at the guest house can make the most of yoga classes offered on-site. Guests at Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kamakura, like cycling and hiking. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 3.5 km from the accommodation, while Sankeien is 23 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 43 km from Guest House Kamakura Zen-ji.
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    • Guest House Kamejikan
      Budget-friendly
      Just 250 metres from Zaimokuza Beach, Guest House Kamejikan is 1.5 km from JR Kamakura Train Station. It offers simple non-smoking Japanese rooms and dormitory-style accommodation with free WiFi and shared showers. Guests at Kamejikan Guest House can sleep in a bunk bed in a dormitory room, or experience traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. All rooms are air-conditioned. Toilets are shared. Built 92 years ago as a family residence, Kamejikan is about 2 km from both the Kamakura Daibutsu Buddha Statue and Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine. Bicycle rental is offered. A shared-use fridge, free-use PC and free coffee/tea are available at the lounge, and a coin launderette is available. The shared showers are open 24/7. Bodyboards and yukata robes can be rented. Breakfast can be served with an advance reservation.
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    • kamakura seizan
      Luxury
      Kamakura seizan features a garden, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Kamakura. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.5 km from Yuigahama Beach. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. An ? la carte breakfast is available daily at kamakura seizan. Zaimokuza Beach is 1.5 km from the accommodation, while Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 1.2 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 40 km from kamakura seizan.
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    • guesthouse SHIBAFU
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Kamakura, 600 metres from Yuigahama Beach and 1.3 km from Zaimokuza Beach, guesthouse SHIBAFU offers a garden and air conditioning. This 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. Yokohama Marine Tower is 23 km away and Nissan Stadium is 32 km from the guest house. Units have a kettle, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi, while some rooms also boast a terrace and some have garden views. At the guest house, each unit has bed linen and towels. A modern restaurant, coffee shop and bar can be found on-site. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is 2.8 km from the guest house, while Sankeien is 23 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 42 km from guesthouse SHIBAFU.
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    • Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura
      Mid-range
      Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura is set in Kamakura, 21 km from Sankeien and 21 km from Yokohama Marine Tower. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. At Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always on hand to help. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Yuigahama Beach, Zaimokuza Beach and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 41 km from Tosei Hotel Cocone Kamakura.
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