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Kamakura Enoshima Day Trip | Travel & Transportation
Kamakura was the political center of the Kamakura Shogunate in the 12th century, and many historical sites remain. During this period, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, a traditional Japanese religion, was greatly expanded, and various schools of Buddhism were actively developed. In addition to the Jodo Sect, which the Shogunate favored at the time, Zen Sect was also introduced to Japan, leaving many famous Buddhist temples around Kamakura, which are now the main sightseeing spots in Kamakura. Enoshima is a small island to the southwest, and Enoshima Shrine is the main attraction of the whole island. Since Kamakura and Enoshima are both located to the southwest of Tokyo, the combination of the two is a perfect day trip from Tokyo.
Transportation by Odakyu RailwayKamakura Enoshima One-Day PassIf you take the Odakyu subway from Shinjuku and get off at Katase-Enoshima station, it is about an hour's ride.
A day trip to Kamakura Enoshima from Tokyo can be accomplished entirely by Enoden and feet, and we arranged the route using a total of four stops.
- First stop: Hachimangu Shrine. Take Enoden from Katase Enoshima to Kamakura Station. After getting off at Kamakura Station, walk for about a kilometer to Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, where you can eat and drink at Komachi-dori.
- Second stop: Hasegaya Temple and Kotokuin Temple. Take Enoden from Kamakura Station to Hase Station. Get off at Hasegaya Station and walk about 100 meters to Hasegaya Temple. From Hasegaya Temple, walk north for about 10 minutes to Kotokuin Temple.
- Stop 3: Kamakura Gakuen-mae Station. Take Enoden from Nagaya Station to Kamakura Kakumae Station.
- Fourth stop: Enoshima. Take Enoden back to Enoshima Station. It is easy to walk to all the sightseeing spots on the island.
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Kamakura Enoshima | Attractions
Kamakura Attractions | Komachi-dori
The east exit of Kamakura Station is the entrance to Komachi-dori. Komachi-dori is actually not very long, only about 600 meters, and is lined with small stores with various specialties. If you stroll along the street, you will soon reach the destination of Hachimangu Shrine. However, Komachi-dori has a lot of delicious food, so if you like to eat snacks, don't miss it.
Kamakura Attractions | Hachimangu Shrine
The former Tsuruoka Wakamangu Shrine was relocated to the present site after the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate by the Minamoto no Yoritomo Dynasty, and expanded to serve as the center of Kamakura's faith. The enlarged Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, with its main shrine on the upper slopes and the Wakamangu Shrine on the lower slopes, served as the guardianship of the Minamoto family's samurai warriors and as the center of Kamakura's construction. The first red-colored building we see as we approach is the Mai-den in front of the Wakamiya, and after passing through it, we reach the Wakamiya.
dance hall
In April every year, Shizuku no Mai (Shizuku no Mai) is performed at the Dance Hall in honor of Shizuku Mitsumae, one of the three great beauties of ancient Japan. Shizumi was originally the concubine of Minamoto Yoritomo's younger brother, Minamoto no Yoshinori, and was one of the greatest dancers of the Heian period. When Minamoto no Yoshitsune was thought to be a traitor, he was captured and interrogated by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Minamoto no Yoritomo ordered Shizumae to perform a song and dance at the Hachiman Shrine on the day of the festival, but in the song and dance she expressed her thoughts and praises for Minamoto no Yikei, and this incident made Shizumae famous in history for her bravery in the face of the ruler.
Hachimangu Shrine
The main shrine of Hachimangu Shrine, known as Kaminomiya, is located at a relatively high altitude and is reached by a steep staircase. Inside the main shrine, the god Hachiman is worshipped as the god of war in Shintoism and the guardian of the Genji family. There is also the Treasure Hall, which you can buy tickets to visit.
Genji Pond and Taira Pond
Going down the hill towards the main gate, there are two ponds in front of the torii at the main gate, the larger Genji Pond and the smaller Taira Pond. Since the Genji clan was destroyed and the Taira clan ruled the world, three small islands were placed in the Genji Pond to symbolize "life" and four islands were placed in the Taira Pond to symbolize "death". Originally, only the white lotus for the Minamoto clan and the red lotus for the Taira clan were planted in the Minamoto pond, but now the two types of lotus have grown together. The Genji Pond and the Heike Pond are separated by the Taiko Bridge in front of the Torii. Under the bridge, the water of the two ponds flows into each other.
Kamakura Attractions | Haseiji Temple
Eleven faces of Hasegaya Kannon are enshrined here. The history of Hasegaya Temple dates back to the Nara Period. According to legend, a Tokudo priest made two Kannon statues out of camphor wood, one of which was enshrined in Yamato Hasegaya Temple, and the other was sent into the sea to save the world, and the one that drifted in the sea floated to the Miura Peninsula fifteen years later, and then was moved to Kamakura to open the mountain, which is the Hasegaya Temple that we are now here.
After entering the temple and walking up the hill, there are three small Jizo statues inside the temple, called Jizo of Good Fortune, which look super cute. On the internet, it is said that if you take a picture of the three small Jizos, you will be able to make a good relationship.
I think the most attractive thing about Hasegaya Temple is that it's very friendly. I saw three super cute Jizo's in the front, and here is another Jizo who is so peaceful that everyone can't help but line up to take a picture with him.
Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of the Great Vow (save the soul of the deceased)
On the way to Kannon Hall, you will first pass through a garden called the Myoji Pond on the left and the Bonsai Pond on the right. As you go up the stairs next to the Myoji Pond, you will pass the Jizo Hall. The Jizo Hall here is dedicated to children who have never been born, so it is surrounded by Jizo statues of all sizes.
Kwun Yum Tong
Kannon Hall is the home of the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva. The 9.18 meter tall Nagaya Kannon inside is the largest wooden Kannon ever built in Japan, with eleven faces on its head, each with a different expression, representing the wishes of different people. Although it was originally made of wood, the Ashikaga clan later added gold leaf to it.
Tripitaka (602-664) Tang dynasty Buddhist monk and translator, who traveled India 629-645
The Chakra, also known as the Sutra Cabinet, is a place where the treasure of the temple, the Mahamudra, is housed. Inside the chakra is the treasure of the temple, the Great Tibetan Sutra. Even if you don't know Sanskrit, you can read the sutra by turning the wheel.
Kamakura Scenic Spot | Takadayasuin
Kotokuin belongs to the Jodo sect and enshrines the Great Buddha of Kamakura. The statue is made of bronze and belongs to the Song style of the Kamakura period. At 13.53 meters, it is the second largest statue of Buddha in Japan. The actual date of construction is not known, and the main history only records the construction of the wooden Buddha in 1238. It is still a mystery why the wooden Buddha disappeared and the bronze Buddha was built. Originally, the Buddha was enshrined in a temple, but a tsunami destroyed the temple at the end of the 15th century, so only the Buddha remains.
Kamakura Scenic Spot | Kamakura High School Station
Why did you come here? Because the level crossing scene here is the prototype of the scene where Sakuragi Hanamichi and Eyes meet in the opening song of the Slam Dunk Master. (Kamakura High School is not Shonboku, it's Rinnan, though.) There are always a lot of tourists waiting to take photos here, and most of them are Taiwanese and Hong Kongers, maybe we like watching Slam Dunk Master.
Enoshima Scenic Spot | Enoshima Shrine
After getting off at Enoshima Station, walk across the bridge to Enoshima.
After passing through the Seishin Gate, you will enter the territory of Ejima Shrine. After entering the shrine, you can choose to take the stairs or pay for the escalator to the top of the hill. It should take about 30 minutes to get to the top by stairs, but we chose to take the elevator because we had a full day of walking ahead of us. After getting off the elevator, we still need to walk a few steps, and on the way, we will pass by Yasaka Shrine first.
Ejima Shrine enshrines the three sisters of the goddess, who are called Ejima Omikami, and are located in the Bizu, Nakatsu, and Okutsu Shrines. From Yasaka Shrine, you can climb the stairs to Nakatsu Shrine.
If you are lucky, the Sea Candle at the top of Ejima Shrine has a beautiful view of the sea, and on a good day, you can see Mt.
Leave the plaza and head downhill towards Otsu Shrine and Ryugu Shrine. The sea view along the way is very beautiful. Most of the tourists seem to be heading to the lighthouse, so the road is less crowded and you can take your time to enjoy the sea view.
Kamakura Enoshima | Dining
Kamakura Gourmet | Kamakura Tobaya Cake
- Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $
It's on Komachi-dori, the road to Hachimangu Shrine, and I bought the beef flavor. The flavor is quite delicate, so I think it's okay for those who don't have a particular love for coleslaw.
Kamakura Gourmet | Anchovy and Bean Skin Sushi
- 推薦指數: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $
Also located on Komachi-dori, this snack features anchovies and sushi rice wrapped in soybean skin, with more fish than I expected.
Kamakura Gourmet | Yumemiya
- Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $
It's on Komachi-dori.YumemiyaThe dumplings are very famous, this time I chose only the simplest looking flavor, which is made of glutinous rice.
Kamakura Gourmet | Imojikan
- 推薦指數: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $
I followed the kids in front of me and bought purple potato ice cream, which actually tasted pretty good.
Kamakura Must Eat | Anchovy Rice Donburi
- 推薦指數: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Anchovy donburi is famous in Kamakura, we casually found a store on the side of the road and sat down to order a meal. There are different kinds of anchovy donburi orders: raw anchovies and cooked ones, the more traditional one is raw, but some people are afraid to eat it. We ordered one raw and one half raw and half cooked to compare. I think it is better to have the raw fish donburi to get the fresh and sweet flavor, it is very tasty. The whole set comes with soup and side dishes, and the way to eat it is to mix the raw egg yolk inside the rice bowl.
Enoshima Precious Objects | Octopus Scallop
- Recommendation Index: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Enoshima is famous for its senbei, octopus senbei and tiger shrimp senbei, which are sold all the way to the shopping street of Enoshima Shrine, and there are a lot of customers buying them. We climbed all the way up to the top of Nakatsugu Mountain and ate them when we were resting, but they were actually the same as the ones on the street below. The octopus scallops are pressed into very thin slices, and the texture is quite special. The octopus is very chewy.
Further reading
- More Kanto, JapanRelated Posts
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