Enoshima Island

A tidal island connected to the mainland by a 600-metre bridge, sacred to Benzaiten (the goddess of everything that flows — music, water, time). The island rises 60 metres with a pagoda, sea caves, and a lighthouse park offering Mt Fuji views on clear days. The approach street (Benzaiten Nakamise) is lined with shirasu (whitebait) restaurants.

Location

Why Visit

• 1

  Mt Fuji visible from the lighthouse observation deck on clear winter mornings

• 2

  The sea caves (Iwaya) at the base of the island have 1,500-year-old carvings and candle-lit passages

• 3

  Shirasu (raw whitebait) rice bowls are the island's signature dish — try them at the harbour restaurants

Local Tips

Weekends are very crowded — the single bridge causeway creates bottlenecks. Come on a weekday morning when the island feels like a local escape. The Sea Candle observation tower gives the best views of Mt Fuji on clear winter mornings. Shirasu (whitebait) is the local specialty — try shirasu-don at a restaurant near the causeway entrance.