Ultimate Kamakura-Enoshima Day Trip – Top Things To Do

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Kamakura and Enoshima are two cities right beside each other both located in the Kanagawa prefecture about an hour and 23 minutes away from Tokyo which makes it a popular weekend destination for the city dwellers. Even shorter using the Japanese efficient well-connected public transportation that you can reach Kamakura Station, the main station of the city, by 1 hour or so which also depends on the trains you will take.

I used my JR Pass to reach Kamakura from Tokyo when I stayed in Ikebukuro so all my transportation expenses were paid. Hyperdia is your best friend to finding routes.

This is the best route to explore both cities because of the efficient private railway Enoshima railway that you can take to get on and off the sites from Kamakura all the way so see Enoshima Sea Candle to see the 360 view of the prefecture and on a perfect summer clear skies weather, you can even see Fuji-san! (Mt Fuji).

Fugenzan Meigetsu-in (福源山明月院)

This Buddhist temple is one of the most visited temple in the city. Its name stands for ‘bright moon’ and it can get crowded during end of June to early July because of the hydrangeas. Those months are hydrangea season which is why this temple is also named ‘Temple of Hydrangeas’.

To get here, get off at Kamakura station and transfer to Yokosuka Line Local  or Shonan-Shinjuku Line Rapid to Kita Kamakura Station. When you reach Kita-Kamakura Station, you’ll see signs to Meigetsu which is basically the path walking back towards Kamakura station.

I went here during the hydrangea season so the temple was in full bloom. The pathways were colourful and so pretty to walk specially the inner garden, The temple also has a window of enlightenment. When I visited, there were so many Japanese people in kimono lined up. I think they were here to celebrate their coming of age and others were there to wed.

Entrance to the temple is ¥ 300 (yen) and ¥ 500 (yen) in June. Open all year around from 9:00 to 16:00 and 8:30 to 17:00 in June.

You can spend a good 1 or 2 hours here taking photos and admiring the blossoming hydrangeas. When you’re done, walk back towards Kamakura station and you’ll pass by more temples and shrines. About a twenty minute walk and you’ll end up at the one of the top-rated shrines in Kamakura that I highly suggest you visit because I did!

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (鶴岡八幡宮)

Dedicated to the god of war named Hachiman in the Shinto religion, this shrine is always at the top 5 temples and shrines to visit in Kamakura. Staircase steps lead up to the shrine and you can see a mesmerizing view of the city from the top. A good walk to spend 1 to 2 hours as well. Pathways are magical and shows the culture of Japan. Also visitors wear kimono walking around the lush gardens of the shrine and two charming ponds dedicated to the Kamakura and Taira clans.

Truly amazing view up the top when I walked up the stairs. I had an amazing cultural experience when I walked around the shrine learning about the history of the shrine and Kamakura. I visited each shrines and the museum where you can learn more about its rich history.

Entrance to the shrine is free and its open from 5:00 to 21:00. The shrine museum is ¥ 200 (yen).

After this, if you are getting geared up to visit more temples and shrines in Kamakura, another temple you should not miss is the Hikokuji Temple.

Hikokuji Temple (報国寺)

A must see in Kamakura, this Buddhist Zen temple is a popular one because it houses a bamboo forest. So if you can’t make it to Arashiyama, another famous one, don’t worry, there’s another one closer if you are only thinking of traveling in Tokyo when you’re in Japan. Day trip to Kamakura is doable and many Tokyo people does this as a day trip activity. I did it when I was in Tokyo when I visited my Ikebukuro friend for 4 days.

Super zen temple that will provide you with peace and tranquility when you visit this temple. Walk around the steps and visit the main hall if you want to pray and meditate. In addition, check out bamboo groove which you will see on the left side of the main hall and be enchanted with the beauty of the 2,000 dancing bamboos swaying with the wind.

Entrance to the temple is ¥ 200 (yen) and its open from 9:00 to 16:00.

Eat Shirasu

After all that walking on temples and shrines, you are going to be starving and it’s probably lunch time already so it’s time to eat local food.

If you want to have a taste of Kanagawa Prefecture, then you shouldn’t miss the chance to eat shirasu in Kamamakura. Shirasu (しらす) is the Japanese word for baby sardines and this is what Kanagawa Prefecture is famous for. This ingredient can be found on almost all dishes in the area. Pizza, rice bowl, pasta, and even on noodles. You name it, the pride is there. I recommend this place 鎌倉釜飯かまかま本店. It’s located at the heart of downtown Kamakura close to Kamakura station.

Continue your journey towards Enoshima but before heading there, you may want to catch some amazing dessert located right beside… Literally right beside a train station.

Mushinan

This amazing dessert restaurant is right at Wadazuka station. I say RIGHT AT because once you get off the station, you’ll see it right away. It’s just amazing how this is a great representation of how small Japan is and I find it convenient to be right beside station. I super enjoyed my time here that I even wrote a whole article about Mushinan.

Go back to the station. It’s a super short walk and you won’t get lost, hop on and continue towards Enoshima. Want some beach time? Then I recommend to stop at Yuigihama station for beach time.

Kamakura Yuigahama Beach (由比ガ浜海水浴場)

If you’re a sandy person, like me, you would not want to miss the chance to be on the shore. Again like me, then you should make this as one of your stops.

From Yuigahama station, head east and you’ll pass by a street full of beach shops, stores, restaurants, ice cream shops that leads you towards the beach.

The beach has complete beach amenities where they have change rooms, toilet, and feet washing station. It’s a popular destination in the summer offering many water activities. Visitors are also swimming and picnicking in the sun.

Walk along the beach to relax your exhausted feet as they are probably pretty tired from all the work they did in the temples and shrines. Catch some sun, take a nap, dig your feet into the sun! The island girl in me couldn’t resist the water so I took off my sandals and ran straight to the water.

I love walking on the shore so that’s what I did when I was here. I walked and the waves washed my feet. To make my trip efficient, I walked west towards the direction of the next station, Hase station. I got on the same train westward and got off at Enoshima Station, an 18 minutes train ride.

Enoshima Sea Candle (江の島シーキャンドル)

When you get off at Enoshima Station. you’ll wanna walk on Subana street. It then becomes connected to the bridge that leads you to Enoshima Island. Don’t worry, Japan is very tourist friendly. If you can’t read Japanese like me. Okay I can read a bit of hiragana actually, you’ll see signs for Enoshima Sea Candle. The other name is Shonan Observatory Lighthouse because Shonan is the name of the coastal region in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Enoshima island itself is worth a days visit to explore destinations such as a shrine, Samuel Cocking Garden, an aquarium, and Iwaya caves. I specifically went here to see the sunset at the lighthouse.

Enoshima Sea Candle has a lower and an upper deck observation area. There’s an admission fee for the upper observation deck and the ticket also includes admission to the Samuel Cocking Garden. Cost about ¥ 500 (yen) in total for adults which is not too bad considering the views you’ll see. Before going up, go to the garden first. Samuel Cocking Garden is an English style garden. Enjoy the roses, tulips, and other flowers in the botanical garden, take pictures with the lighthouse as your backdrop. After admiring the garden, head towards the lighthouse. There’s an escalator that leads to you to the platform then take the elavator up. The usher tears your ticket before you go up the elavator.

It was absolutely gorgeous up there! I walked around and around the deck and did not care that my hair flipped back and forth. I tied it up after I got annoyed and continued to watch the whole Sagami Bay and the sunset.

This is a great way to end your day and see the sunset at the top of the lighthouse! Also, on a very very clear day like Mr. Sun is shining bright and clouds are clear in the sky, guess what? You can see Fuji-san on the west! Super duper worth it. Two amazing views back to back!