Enoshima Benten Bridge is the gateway to Enoshima Island and stretches about 389 meters across the water. Before a bridge existed, Enoshima was a tidal island — during low tide people could sometimes walk across shallow sandbanks, while at high tide visitors had to rely on small boats or even be carried across by local porters.

The first wooden bridge was built in 1891 to make access easier for pilgrims and travelers visiting Enoshima Shrine. It was later extended and rebuilt several times because storms and waves frequently damaged the early wooden structure. The modern bridge area dates mainly from the postwar and Olympic-development period, when access was improved for growing tourism and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics sailing events.

Before the bridge existed, Enoshima functioned as a tidal island connected by a natural sandbar, known as a tombolo. During low tide, people could sometimes walk across the exposed sand from the mainland, while at high tide visitors had to rely on boats or be carried across.

Today, crossing the bridge is almost like a transition between mainland Japan and island life — with sea breeze, views of the coast, fishing boats, and, on clear days, even a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance.

One thing visitors often underestimate about Enoshima Shrine is its vertical layout. Enoshima may look small from a distance, but the shrine complex is spread across a hillside with a height difference of about 46 meters between the entrance area and the upper part of the island. The three shrine sections — Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya — are connected by many stairs and sloping paths. Walking to the top can take around 15–20 minutes uphill at a relaxed pace.

Fortunately, visitors do not need to climb everything on foot. On the left side of the shrine entrance there is the Enoshima Escar, Japan’s first outdoor escalator, opened in 1959. It consists of several connected escalators that carry visitors uphill in about 4–5 minutes, stopping near the main shrine areas and close to the summit garden and observatory. It is upward-only, so the descent is still on foot.

Samuel Cocking Garden is a hilltop garden named after the British merchant Samuel Cocking, who established a botanical garden here in the late 19th century, benefiting from Enoshima’s mild coastal climate. Today, the garden offers seasonal flowers, subtropical plants, open lawns, and pleasant sea views. There is also a small rose garden, which is especially attractive during the spring and autumn blooming seasons.

At the center stands the Enoshima Sea Candle, the island’s observation tower and lighthouse. From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Shōnan coastline, Kamakura, Sagami Bay, and, on clear days, even Mount Fuji. It is considered one of the best viewpoints in the region, particularly beautiful in the late afternoon and around sunset.

As we walk toward the southern coast of Enoshima, the atmosphere changes from shrine paths and gardens to a more rugged seaside landscape. The island is formed mainly from uplifted marine sedimentary rock, shaped over thousands of years by wave erosion, creating dramatic rocky platforms, cliffs, and sea caves along the shoreline.

Thanks to Enoshima’s mild coastal climate, the island supports unusually rich vegetation for the region, including evergreen trees, camphor trees, pines, and subtropical plants. Sea winds and warm ocean currents help create a lush environment, giving parts of the island an almost southern, semi-tropical feeling. The rocky coast is also a good place to observe seabirds, tidal pools, and marine life during low tide.

Enoshima Iwaya Cave are natural sea caves formed by wave erosion over thousands of years in the island’s soft marine rock. Located at the far end of Enoshima’s rocky coast, the caves have long been associated with spirituality, legends, and mountain-sea worship.

For centuries, monks and ascetics are believed to have practiced meditation here, and the caves became connected to the island’s famous dragon legend and the goddess Benzaiten of Enoshima Shrine. Inside, visitors walk through dimly lit passages — part of the cave is traditionally explored with small lanterns — creating a slightly mysterious atmosphere.

The caves consist of two sections: the first contains displays related to local history and religious traditions, while the second opens dramatically toward the sea and features the legendary dragon motif. The location itself is also rewarding, with powerful ocean scenery and waves crashing against the surrounding rocks.