Southwest of Tokyo, in the heart of Kanagawa Prefecture, the sacred island of Enoshima faces the coastal city and former political capital of Japan, Kamakura. Mount Fuji seems to rise gracefully on the sea from behind the island. What's hiding in this little island, which belongs to one of the most historical cities of Japan?
Historic tram crossing
Is there any better way to get to Enoshima rather than taking the Enoden tram? The island is connected to Fujisawa (neighboring Kamakura) by a bridge from which a magnificent view of the seascape. The name Enoden is an abbreviation of the Japanese Enoshima Dentetsu, Enoshima Electric Railway. It has been running since 1902 and connected at that time the city of Fujisawa to Enoshima (former Enoshima station, called Katase). Today, it also marks the stop to many sites of interest of Kamakura such as Hase dera, the great Daibutsu and so on.
Walk to Enoshima and view of Mount Fuji
The island is mysterious, covered with trees, contrasting with the sea and the magnificent view of Mount Fuji. The best appreciate point of this view, visit the Benten Bridge that connects Fujisawa to the sacred island, or the observation lighthouse at the top after enjoying a beautiful hike. (From the lighthouse, it is also possible to see the Tokyo Skytree tower). The lighthouse is surrounded by a tropical garden, the Samuel Cocking Garden (named after a British businessman who made a fortune by importing carbonic acid used as antiseptic drug to cholera). Cocking bought many Buddhist temples abandoned on the island in the name of his Japanese wife and built a second house with a garden an area of 1 hectare. From early to mid-February, the lighthouse and the garden are magnificently illuminated, this event being considered one of the most beautiful illuminations of the Kanto at that time. Enoshima is the ideal destination to enjoy both beautiful beaches and nature walks. North of the island, you can relax in an onsen sea view or browse the trails surrounded by forest, to admire the many temples and shrines.
The shrine of Enoshima and the legend of the goddess Benzaiten and the dragon
The Enoshima shrine built in the early 13th century includes several Shinto shrines dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten, consist of three sisters who are god of time, eloquence, music, water, knowledge etc. This deity is also present in religion Buddhist and usually accompanied by a sea serpent or dragon. It is one of the most important sanctuaries of Benzaiten in Japan with 2 others located in Hiroshima and Shiga. According to the legend, a dragon lived long ago in the waters near the Japanese coast and devoured the children who came to bathe there. The goddess Benzaiten would have thought that if the dragon did so, it was because he was unhappy. She impressed the dragon by making the island of Enoshima emerge, then offered to marry and raise children they would like. You will see many dragon statues hidden on the island.
To the west of the island you will find the Iwaya cave, a Buddhist sanctuary more than 1500 years old. Many monks and samurai came to make a pilgrimage to this part of the island still mysterious atmosphere. There are many stone statues in soothing calm, including the statue of the famous dragon.
Click here to see our excursion to "Kamakura and Enoshima".
Click here to see our excursion "The beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji and night on its view"
Click here to see all our excursions from Tokyo.
