Tokyo to Enoshima Day Trip Guide: Train Routes, Fares & Itinerary
Enoshima is a stunning coastal island in Kanagawa Prefecture, making it one of the most popular seaside day trips from Tokyo. Known for its historic shrines, caves, fresh seafood, and sweeping views of Mount Fuji on clear days, it is accessible via multiple rail networks. The route is highly customizable depending on whether you value speed, cost, or coastal scenery.
Trip Details
- OriginTokyo
- DestinationEnoshima
- Travel Time65 - 75 minutes
- Recommended Stay1 Day
- Best Transport ModeOdakyu Limited Express Romancecar
- Cheapest ModeOdakyu Regular Rapid Express Train
- Day Trip PossibleYes (Highly Recommended)
Travel Recommendation
Take the Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass from Shinjuku — it bundles round-trip rail to Fujisawa with unlimited Enoden tram hops on a single value pass. From Fujisawa, hop the charming Enoden coastal tram directly to Enoshima Station for the full seaside experience.
📍 Destination Highlights
- Enoshima Shrine
- Enoshima Sea Candle
- Enoshima Iwaya Caves
- Chigogafuchi Abyss
Transport Options Breakdown
| Transport Option | Travel Time | One-Way Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Odakyu Romancecar (Primary) | 65 mins | ¥1,570 (Base fare + ¥750 surcharge) |
| JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (Secondary) | 60 mins (to Kamakura/Fujisawa) | ¥950 - ¥1,040 |
| Enoden Combination Route (Alternative) | 85 - 90 mins | ¥1,640 (Included in Freepass) |
Odakyu Romancecar (Primary)
Direct to Katase-Enoshima, guaranteed reserved seats, highly comfortable.
Requires advance seat booking, limited departures.
No
JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (Secondary)
Direct from major hubs like Shinjuku/Shibuya, fast transit.
Requires a transfer at Fujisawa or Kamakura to reach Enoshima Island.
Yes
Enoden Combination Route (Alternative)
Extremely scenic coastal tram views, passes famous anime locations.
Slower total travel time, trains can get crowded on weekends.
No
🚀 Getting There Guide
- ### How to Get from Tokyo to Enoshima #### 1.
- Primary Route: Odakyu Railway (Romancecar or Rapid Express) Departing from **Shinjuku Station**, the Odakyu Electric Railway is the most straightforward gateway to Enoshima.
- For maximum speed and comfort, take the direct Limited Express **Romancecar** straight to **Katase-Enoshima Station**.
- Alternatively, take a regular Odakyu Rapid Express train to **Fujisawa Station** and make a quick transfer to the Odakyu Enoshima Line to complete your trip.
- #### 2.
- Secondary Route: JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line If your starting point is in eastern or northern Tokyo (e.g., Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, or Shibuya), board the **JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line** or JR Yokosuka Line bound for **Fujisawa** or **Kamakura**.
- This route is fully covered by the **JR Pass**.
- From either transfer station, you will need to switch to local transit lines to reach the island.
- #### 3.
- Alternative Route: Enoden Combination Route For a classic sightseeing experience, take a train to Kamakura Station first, then board the iconic, retro **Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)** coastal tram.
- This scenic route hugs the Shonan coastline and delivers passengers directly to **Enoshima Station**.
↩️ Return Journey Guide
- ### Heading Back to Tokyo Returning to Tokyo is simple and mirrors your outward journey.
- Head to **Katase-Enoshima Station** (Odakyu) for direct trains back to Shinjuku.
- Be aware that the last direct Romancecar trains usually depart in the late afternoon or early evening.
- If you miss them, regular Odakyu Rapid Express commuter trains operate frequently until late night.
- If you are using a JR Pass, take the local Enoden or Odakyu line back to **Fujisawa Station** and transfer directly to the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line returning to central Tokyo.
🚌 Local Loop Transport Guide
- ### Navigating Around Enoshima * **Walking:** Enoshima is an island connected to the mainland by the **Enoshima Benten Bridge**.
- It takes roughly 10–15 minutes to walk across the bridge from any of the three local stations.
- * **Enoden Line:** Connects Enoshima Station to Kamakura and is ideal for visiting coastal stops like the famous *Slam Dunk* level crossing at Kamakura High School.
- * **Enoshima Escar:** The island's terrain is steep and hilly.
- Instead of climbing hundreds of stone steps, you can purchase tickets for these indoor outdoor escalators to effortlessly ascend to the top.
- * **Shonan Monorail:** An alternative suspended monorail option connecting Shonan-Enoshima Station back to JR Ofuna Station, offering a thrilling, roller-coaster-like ride over suburban streets.
Suggested Day Trip Itinerary
### Ultimate Enoshima Day Trip Itinerary * **09:00 AM** – Depart Shinjuku Station via the Odakyu Line.
* **10:15 AM** – Arrive at Katase-Enoshima Station and walk across the **Enoshima Benten Bridge**.
* **10:45 AM** – Explore **Benten Nakamise Dori Street**, a bustling uphill market lane lined with stalls selling local delicacies like *tako senbei* (giant pressed octopus crackers).
* **12:00 PM** – Visit **Enoshima Shrine** and opt for the *Enoshima Escar* to ride smoothly to the top of the island.
* **01:30 PM** – Lunch at a local seafood restaurant to try *Shirasu-don* (local whitebait fish over rice).
* **03:00 PM** – Explore the lush **Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden** and climb the **Enoshima Sea Candle** observation tower for sweeping 360-degree ocean views.
* **04:30 PM** – Walk down the back paths of the island to view the rugged cliffs of **Chigogafuchi Abyss** and tour the mysterious **Enoshima Iwaya Caves**.
* **06:00 PM** – Catch a classic sunset view of Mount Fuji over the water before heading back to the station for your return train to Tokyo.
Must-Visit Attractions in Enoshima
Enoshima Shrine
A complex of three distinct shrines spread across the hills of the island, dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of music, wealth, and water.
Enoshima Sea Candle
A striking lighthouse and observation tower standing at the highest point of the island, offering panoramic views of the Shonan coast and Mount Fuji.
Enoshima Iwaya Caves
Natural sea caves located on the far south coast of the island, featuring illuminated Buddhist statues and local dragon legends.
Chigogafuchi Abyss
A scenic, flat rocky plateau along the ocean's edge, famous for its crashing waves, tide pools, and premier sunset viewing spots.
Which Option is Best For You?
🥇 First-Time Visitors
Perfect for travellers wanting an accessible coastal escape from Tokyo that perfectly blends traditional Japanese history, vibrant food markets, and natural ocean views in a single day.
📸 Photographers
Offers dramatic coastal landscapes, retro trains on the Enoden line, historic torii gates, and iconic evening silhouette shots of Mount Fuji across Sagami Bay.
👨👩👧👦 Families & Strollers
Great due to the exciting train rides, easy moving walkways (Escar), safe pedestrian-only paths on the island, and the nearby massive New Enoshima Aquarium on the beach.
🌲 Nature Lovers
Ideal for exploring tide pools at Chigogafuchi, coastal botanical gardens, and the dark, ocean-carved geological formations inside the Iwaya Caves.
Popular Experiences in Enoshima
Top-rated tours & activities — book directly with confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the JR Pass to travel from Tokyo to Enoshima?
You can use the JR Pass for the bulk of the trip via the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Tokyo to Fujisawa or Kamakura Station. However, the final legs to the island (via the Odakyu Line or Enoden Line) are run by private companies and are not covered by the JR Pass.
What is the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass?
It is a highly cost-effective discount ticket issued by Odakyu Railway for ¥1,640. It includes a round-trip journey from Shinjuku to the Enoshima area and provides unlimited rides on both the Enoden coastal tram and local Odakyu train lines for one calendar day.
Is Enoshima wheelchair accessible?
The island is highly steep with heavy stair climbing. While the Enoshima Escar escalators help visitors ascend, descending still requires navigating steps. The main market street and the coastal bridge are flat and fully accessible, but the caves and deeper shrine trails are difficult for those with limited mobility.