Let's get the most out of “eno=pass”! Discover the traditions of Enoshima, an island rich in history.

After crossing the Enoshima-Ohashi Bridge from the mainland, the Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street begins at the bronze torii gate. The street is about 200 meters long to the red torii at the end, and the street is lined with about 30 restaurants and souvenir shops, creating a lively vibe that is ideal as Enoshima’s gateway.

The streets are so narrow that only one car can pass through, and during the busy season, the streets are usually jammed with tourists. If you want to enjoy strolling through the nostalgic streets, go early in the morning when the streets are less crowded. There are also many local delicacies available for takeout, such as "Tako senbei (octopus crackers)" and "Shirasu (young white fish) black croquettes."

While strolling down the street, why not look for retro spots scattered throughout the town, such as black mailboxes used during the Meiji period? This is yet another enjoyable way to explore the island. Furthermore, many stores, such as Marudai, a souvenir shop famous for its homemade salted squid, offer discounts or special offers to visitors who present their eno=pass.

After leaving “Enoshima benzaiten Nakamise Street,” the “Enoshima Escar” is the easiest way up to the “Enoshima Shrine”. When you visit the shrines on the way to the top, you have to walk up about 250 steep stairs with a height difference of 46 meters, but the Enoshima Escar will take you there in 5 minutes.

When it first opened in 1959, it was Japan’s first outdoor escalator and was a hot topic at the time. It is 106 meters long and is made up of four linked ascending escalators that are popular among tourists. You can ride it with eno=pass as many times as you want.

“Enoshima Shrine” is the guardian deity of the island and is popular among tourists as a sacred place for good fortune in wealth, work, and love. The shrine’s deities are the three sisters, Benzai-Tennyo, and the shrine has a history of over 1,500 years. There are three sub-shrines within the vast grounds, and “Hetsumiya,” where various prayers are held, is the closest to Enoshima’s gateway.

With its historic atmosphere, the Gongen-zukuri style main building has a miraculous efficacy enshrining the deity "Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto." The "Zeniarai Hakuryuoh," located near the main hall, is believed to bring good fortune in money. Be sure to wash and purify your mind and money with this golden sacred water and pray for wealth.

Located halfway to the highest point of Enoshima Island is the Nakatsumiya Shrine, with its vivid vermilion main building. There are many stone lanterns dedicated by entertainers and merchants during the Edo period, and they convey the prosperity of the time. There are more highlights, such as 154 flower-and-bird paintings on the ceiling of the worship hall and a garden with a suikinkutsu (water harp cave) where you can purify your body and mind.

With an eno=pass, you can visit the "Enoshima Sea Candle" and the "Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden'' for free. The “Enoshima Sea Candle,” the Shonan’s symbol, stands about 60 meters tall and offers a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and the ocean from the observation deck. There is more to enjoy than just the scenery, including a cafe serving special foods and drinks as well as a souvenir shop selling unique items.

The Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden is a tropical botanical garden. The specious garden features a greenery area and a rose garden, and city-designated natural treasures, such as the Tsukami-Hiiragi (holly olive) and the Araucaria Columnaris Hook, are must-sees. The park also includes some areas related to Fujisawa City’s sister cities, including Miami Beach in the U.S., as well as a stone pagoda gifted to the city.

The "Oiwayamichi Way'' shopping street connects the entrance gate of the “Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden” to the Chigogafuchi area. Many stores were established over 100 years ago, and among them is “Nakamuraya Yokan,” a Japanese confectionery that represents Enoshima and is one of the participants in eno=pass. Their “Ganso Nori-yokan” is a must-have Enoshima souvenir, made of top-quality white bean paste mixed with green laver. Also, “Tenno-Bayashi,” a baked sweet in the shape of a taiko drum that is used in local summer festivals, is popular.

While strolling down the street, you can see Sagami Bay and Enoshima Daishi in some spots, so you can enjoy both the nostalgic atmosphere of the street and the large-scale scenery.

Following “Hetsumiya” and “Nakatsumiya,” the third shrine of Enoshima shrine is “Okutsumiya.” It enshrines “Takirihime-no-mikoto” as a deity who protects the sea in peace since it is located near the “Iwaya cave” overlooking Sagami Bay.

On the ceiling of the worship hall, there is a restored painting of “Happo-niramino-kame (a turtle watching all directions)” by the Edo period artist Hoitsu Sakai, and it has been watching over the worshippers to purge evil spirits from them and bless them from the gods. Other historical treasures on the shrine grounds are the stone torii gate, which is said to have been dedicated by Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the 320-kg “Chikara-ishi” stone.

In the furthest part of the island, there is the “Enoshima Iwaya Cave,” which was formed by ocean wave erosion over thousands of years. This is the birthplace of Enoshima worship, and it is believed that Kobo Daishi and Nichiren Shonin chose it for their religious training, and also that Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed there to defeat Fujiwara no Hidehira in the Oshu.

There is a romantic legend that the cave leads to an ice cave on Mt. Fuji. The 152-meter route has been developed, and inside is cool and refreshing even in mid-summer. As rough rock walls are illuminated and stone statues are lit up by candlelights, you may feel as if you have entered a mystical world. In addition, the entrance fee is waived with an eno=pass, as it is at “Enoshima Escar” and ”Enoshima Sea Candle”.

After walking all the way to the “Enoshima Iwaya Cave,” passing through many ups and downs, you may be more exhausted than you expected, and the “Benten-maru” boat is a convenient way to return.

It is a pleasure boat that directly connects “Chigogafuchi Abyss,” one of Kanagawa Prefecture’s 50 most scenic spots near “Enoshima Iwaya Cave,” to “Enoshima Benten Bridge,” Enoshima’s gateway. You can enjoy a 6-minute cruise on the cute, retro boat while admiring the view of the calm sea and Mt. Fuji. Please keep in mind that the boat may be cancelled due to high waves or strong winds.