About Enoshima
Enoshima is a small island in the Shonan Sea, located in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is a tourist destination with many attractions. Enoshima is packed with history, culture, and natural beauty, and attracts a wide variety of visitors, including families, couples, and tourists from abroad. The entire Enoshima island is a sightseeing area full of attractions, and the spectacular views of the sea and sky from the island's surroundings and from the top of the island make it a place where visitors can experience extraordinary healing and excitement just by visiting.
First of all, one of Enoshima's unique attractions is the natural and abundant sea scenery that stretches across the entire island. Enoshima has an undulating topography, and the view of the Shonan Sea from the mountainside and the top is spectacular itself. On a clear day, Mt. Fuji can be seen beyond Sagami Bay, and the scenery is as beautiful as a painting. On a clear day, Mt. Fuji can be seen beyond Sagami Bay, making the scenery as beautiful as a painting. At dusk, the sea and sky turn orange, creating a fantastic sight. Simply strolling along the coastline will refresh you with the sea breeze and the sound of the waves.
The charm of sightseeing in Enoshima lies in the fact that visitors can visit various spots while climbing a mountain path. As you climb the mountain path, you will first see Enoshima Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to a goddess believed to protect the sea, and its magnificent precincts are lined with torii gates and vermilion-lacquered pavilions. In addition to worshipping at the shrine, the view from the grounds is also magnificent, and visitors can enjoy the solemn atmosphere along with the sea and island scenery. The Enoshima Shrine is divided into three areas (Hentsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya), each with a different atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience the history of the island while taking their time to visit the shrine.
Another highlight of Enoshima is the Enoshima Sea Candle. This is the symbolic tower of Enoshima and also serves as an observation lighthouse. The sea candle offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea of Sagami Bay, the mountains of Kamakura, and on clear days, even the Tokyo Sky Tree and Mt. Fuji on a clear day. At night, the area is sometimes illuminated, making it a very popular date spot, where you can enjoy the beautiful night view with fantastic light effects.
Furthermore, there is a cave called “Iwaya” on Enoshima. Iwaya is a natural cave that was carved by waves over a long period of time. The cool air inside the cave creates a mysterious space that makes visitors feel as if they have wandered into a different world. Divided into the First Iwaya and the Second Iwaya, the attraction of this place is the adventurous experience of going deeper into the cave with a light.
One of the pleasures of visiting Enoshima is the food. There are many restaurants on the island that serve fresh seafood, and you can enjoy such Enoshima delicacies as “shirasu donburi” (rice topped with baby sardines) and “tako senbei” (octopus crackers). Shirasu (baby sardines) are a specialty of the Shonan area, and a bowl of rice topped with a sumptuous portion of freshly caught shirasu is a popular menu item among tourists. The octopus rice cracker is made from a whole large octopus, and its crispy texture and octopus flavor can be enjoyed. One of the best parts of sightseeing on Enoshima is the opportunity to stroll around the island and enjoy the food as you go.
The island is also dotted with cafes and souvenir shops, where visitors can take a break and enjoy shopping during their stroll. In particular, there is a cafe near the top of the island overlooking the ocean, where visitors can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Cafe time while looking out at the ocean is a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The events and scenery of Enoshima that change with the seasons are not to be missed. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom; from early summer to fall, visitors can enjoy lush greenery and sea breezes; and in winter, the “Jewel of Shonan” illumination event is held. This illumination features the Enoshima Sea Candle and surrounding trees in a variety of colors, creating a romantic atmosphere.
All in all, Enoshima is an attractive tourist destination filled with natural beauty, history, culture, and cuisine. Each visitor can enjoy the area in his or her own way, and both those who enjoy active sightseeing and those who want to spend a relaxing time there will be satisfied.