Kamakura and Enoshima Day Trip in Tokyo
Part of the Tokyo travel guide — see every topic in All Tokyo Guides.
Kamakura is a small seaside town about one hour south of Tokyo. The Enoden, a little coastal train, links it with Enoshima, a green island with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Start by 9:00 and come back after sunset.
Getting there
From Tokyo Station, the JR Yokosuka line runs direct to Kamakura in about 55–60 minutes, for about ¥950. From Shinjuku, the JR Shonan-Shinjuku line takes about an hour. Or ride Odakyu trains from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima and do the day in reverse. Odakyu's Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass covers the trip from Shinjuku plus unlimited Enoden rides for about ¥1,600–1,700.
The Enoden coastal train
The Enoden runs 10 km between Kamakura and Fujisawa, with 15 stations, in about 35 minutes. Single rides cost about ¥200–310, and the Noriorikun day pass about ¥800. Near Kamakura-Kokomae Station the track runs right beside the sea; stay on the pavement and never stand in the road for photos, because people live here. On weekends the queue at Kamakura Station can take 30 minutes or more.
Enoshima island
Enoshima is about 15 minutes' walk over a bridge from Katase-Enoshima or Enoshima Station. Lanes of snack shops climb to the Sea Candle, a 60 m lighthouse tower with an outdoor deck (about ¥500), and on to the Iwaya sea caves at the far end (about ¥500). Paid escalators help on the steep part. On clear winter mornings you can see Mount Fuji across the bay.
Beaches, trails and food
Yuigahama and Zaimokuza, Kamakura's main beaches, are 10–15 minutes' walk from the station; the swimming season, with lifeguards, is July and August. The Daibutsu hiking trail (about 3 km, 1.5 hours) crosses the green hills to Hase, where the 11 m bronze Great Buddha sits in the open air (¥300). Komachi-dori, by Kamakura Station, is the main snack and craft street. Try shirasu-don, a rice bowl of tiny local whitebait, for about ¥1,200–2,000.
Kamakura and Enoshima Day Trip at a glance
| From Tokyo Station | JR Yokosuka line, 55–60 min, about ¥950 |
|---|---|
| From Shinjuku | JR Shonan-Shinjuku line about 1 hour; or Odakyu to Katase-Enoshima |
| Enoden | 10 km, 15 stations, about 35 min; day pass about ¥800 |
| Enoshima | Sea Candle tower and Iwaya caves, about ¥500 each |
| Beaches | Yuigahama and Zaimokuza; swimming July–August |
| Eat | Shirasu-don, about ¥1,200–2,000 |
| Avoid | Weekend middays; June hydrangea season is very busy |
| Best time | Weekdays; clear winter days for Mount Fuji views |