The Enoden is a 10-kilometer railroad line that connects Kamakura and Fujisawa cities in Kanagawa Prefecture, opened in 1902, and runs along the historic cityscape and beautiful coastline. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing in Kamakura and Enoshima by riding the Enoden. Below are some of the attractions and ways to enjoy the Enoden.
Attractions of Enoden
The first attraction of the Enoden is its scenery. The Enoden offers a variety of scenery, including the old temples and shrines of Kamakura, the lush green mountains, the shopping and residential areas of Fujisawa, the islands and bridges of Enoshima, and the sea and sandy beaches of Shonan. Especially on the seaside section, the sea can be seen from the train windows. In summer, bathers and surfers can be seen, and in winter, Mount Fuji and the sunset can be seen. The Enoden trains are also attractive for their retro atmosphere and station buildings. Enoden trains come in a variety of types, including old-fashioned wooden cars, colorfully painted cars, and cars collaborating with anime and movies. Station buildings are also unique, ranging from large stations such as Kamakura Station and Enoshima Station to smaller stations such as Komachi-dori Station and Gokurakuji Station. Enoden trains are also popular among railroad fans and photography enthusiasts.
How to enjoy Enoden
One of the best ways to enjoy the Enoden is to use a one-day pass, which allows you to get on and off at all 15 Enoden stations for 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children. The one-day pass also comes with coupons for discounts and special offers at tourist facilities and restaurants along the line. For example, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Haseji Temple, which can be reached on foot from Kamakura Station; the Great Buddha of Kamakura and Kotokuin Temple, which can be reached on foot from Komachi-dori Station; Gokurakuji Temple and Kamakura Literature Museum, which can be reached on foot from Gokurakuji Station; Enoshima and Enoshima Aquarium, which can be reached on foot from Enoshima Station; etc. are recommended. There are also many fashionable cafes, restaurants, and stores selling local specialties and souvenirs along the Enoden line. Ride the Enoden and enjoy the charms of Kamakura and Enoshima to the fullest.
Attractive Stations
The Enoden has stations with various characteristics. Here we introduce three of them.
Kamakura Koukoumae Station
Kamakura Koukoumae Station is famous as the station depicted in the opening of the anime “Slam Dunk. The sea spreads out in front of the station, and a beautiful sunset can be seen in the evening. It is a rare station where people can often be seen on the platform enjoying the spectacular view without boarding the train. There are also stylish cafes, restaurants, and art galleries near the station.
Koshigoe Station
Koshigoe Station is next to Enoshima Station and is a popular tourist spot with many temples and shrines, including Manpukuji Temple, which is closely associated with Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The area used to be a fishing village, and there are many restaurants where you can enjoy delicious seafood, especially shirasu (dried young sardines). There are also fashionable cafes and old-fashioned Japanese sweets stores along the coast, where visitors can enjoy eating their way around. A short distance from the station is “Higashihama,” where you can take a walk while looking at Enoshima Island right in front of you.
Gokurakuji Station
Gokurakuji Station features a beautiful wooden station building surrounded by greenery. Nearby are historical temples such as Seijoin Temple, famous for its hydrangeas, and Gokurakuji Temple. The area is also famous for its cafes and delicious bread. The setting of the movie “Umimachi diary” is also nearby, making it an enjoyable spot to enjoy walking around town.
