Tokyo, Japan - Day Trip to Enoshima

Kamakura and Enoshima will always be on my list of must-visit places. There are historical sights to see, delicious food to sample, hiking, train rides, beaches, all packed in a 1-day trip just 40 min outside of Tokyo.

To get to Kamakura, we will have to take the Odakyu line again. Starting from Shinjuku station, purchase the Enoshima-kamakura Freepass ticket easily from one of the counters or the automatic ticket vending machine. Each ticket, which cost 1,400 JPY covers the round trip fare from Shinjuku to Enoshima, as well as an unlimited number of rides on the Enoden which runs between Enoshima and Kamakura.

We arrived at the Enoshima Odakyu train station shortly before 9 am. I had wanted to try the Hawaiian pancake shop, Egg's n Things earlier while we were in Harajuku, but the queue was simply crazy. Even though I had heard that the Enoshima branch does draw a large crowd as well, it was rather decent that day.

(omelet, which i had a bad reaction
to later on due to the mozarella)

( Must try pancakes. Use the
coconut syrup for a
Hawaiian Taste) 

After breakfast, we crossed the bridge heading towards Enoshima. On our way, we finally caught a clear view of Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji, in my opinon, is rather "shy" and is easily hidden by clouds. One needs to be really lucky to even catch a glimpse of it.

   

We soon began on what I called the "go easy, return difficult" (pardon the Singlish) tour of Enoshima. There are 3 Shinto shrines on the island known collectively as the Enoshima Shrines. To reach the first shrine, visitors can either pay to use the escalators, or climb the steps which is what we did. Upon reaching the entrance, we were greeted by a huge ring. Passing through the ring is said to cleanse any bad Karma accumulated. 

The Shrines are dedicated to Benzaiten, goddess of everything that flows including: water, words, speech, eloquence, music and knowledge. Benzaiten is also one of the seven Gods of Fortune, and there is this interesting activity where people can wash their dollar bills in the nearby fountain if they wish to multiply your savings.

The second shrine is located near to the first shrine, but the third shrine is a lot further and has lesser visitors.

Past the last shrine is the Tori Gate, beyond which is a steep spiral of stairs leading down towards the Iwaya Caves. We walked a short distance just to see the Chigogafuchi Shore, before turning back to take the Enoden to Kamakura.

Enoshima-Kamakura 1-day freepass
Ticket price: 1,470 Yen for Adults, 700 Yen for Children.
Details: http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/enoshima_kamakura/

Egg's n Things, Shonan Enoshima Branch
Opening hours: 9:30 to 22:30, last order 21:30
Access: Exit Enoshima Station exit turn right and walk straight till you see the main road. Turn right again and walk straight, the restaurant will be on the right hand side.

Enoshima Further readings
http://en.japantravel.com/view/enoshima-jinja-shrine