From Kamakura to Enoshima (Tokyo Day Trip)

Tokyo is an incredibly amazing city full of versatility and fun, however at times it can bring a sense of chaos and therefore become overwhelming. However, a great positive of Tokyo is that the City is centrally located and also an ideal base for day trips in the region.

Out of all the options available, if it’s a trip to the seaside you’re after, then look no further than Kamakura and Enoshima.

Around an hour south from Tokyo, these beautiful seaside locations present themselves as a major point of calmness and relaxation away from the city.

Which side to start from depends on where in Tokyo you are based, if you are staying in the east it's easier to reach Kamakura with a direct Train, alternatively if you’re staying in west Tokyo for example in Shinjuku, then it’ll be quicker to start from Enoshima. However with all being said, ideally starting in the morning in Kamakura and finishing in Enoshima is best, mainly because Enoshima has the best views out towards Mt. Fuji for sunset.

To get from Kamakura to Enoshima or vice-versa, I highly recommend walking as you’ll be able to see much more and take in many sights and seaside pleasures along the way. The walk is around 10km, although depending on the route you take and how much of the attractions and side streets you explore, of course it can be more.

The other option would be to take the local Enoden Line train, which in itself takes a scenic route winding through towns and along the coast. However, as poetic and lovely as it sounds, the train ride itself is one which is famous and has become popular through the use of socials such as Instagram and TikTok. As a result of this, anytime from mid-morning to evening the train is normally packed to the point you can’t move, which is not a fun experience.

If you’re a fan of taking photos and all things photography, then here you’ll be in your element. From quiet side-streets to surfers, temples to still-life, and fingers crossed Mt. Fuji, the route between Kamakura and Enoshima provides you with a whole host of variations and exciting subjects and possibilities to shoot and discover. As it’s a location where you can hug the coastline or come in-land and explore the backstreets of the area, I suggest being readily versatile with your Lens choices for the day as the wider angle for example an 35mm is great for the tight narrow streets, and a telephoto such as a 24-70mm or even a 70-200mm is ideal for shots by the seaside and for compressed photos of Mt. Fuji.

Kamakura

If you arrive in Kamakura, you’ll have a few options of what to do first. Firstly, I would suggest to explore the area behind and next to the station, where here you’ll find a great selection of local shops and restaurants. From the main town, you’ll have two options, wander through the backstreets of Kamakura, weaving your way through the small neighbourhoods and villages, or alternatively head straight down towards the Beach.

If you decide to take a wander through the beautiful and tranquil backstreets, you’ll find many hidden locations and spots that are great fun to search through and explore. Although the main road has the advantage of local shops and cafes for you to spend time within, it can be overly touristic especially on Weekends, therefore it’s the many side streets and backroads where I suggest you walk through while getting lost experiencing the local way of life. Whichever way you decide to walk, each road eventually leads down towards the Sea.

Before you reach the Beach, a few locations I suggest visiting are the Great Buddha of Kamakura and the Hase-dera Temple. The Great Buddha in particular is a beautiful piece of architecture and somewhere well worth visiting, the true scale of the Buddha is something to be applauded. These two locations are near the Hase Enoden Line train station, and are easy to find. If you do plan on visiting either or both, it may be best to come earlier rather than late before the crowds arrive.

After visiting the Great Buddha and the Hase-dera Temple, it’s then only a short walk down to the beach. Here you’ll find a sea full of Surfers and people strolling along the sand. If the tide is out, I suggest joining everyone else walking up and down the beach for a relaxing experience being besides the sea. Furthermore, this is a great spot for some photography, catching the details of being at the seaside, and capturing Surfers riding the waves.

Overall you could easily spend most of the morning if not more in Kamakura, depending on how much of the backstreets and attractions you decide to explore. One thing to keep in mind is the time of the Sunset, as for example I visited a number of times in October/November, and the Sunset was around 4:30-5. Therefore it would be wise to start heading towards Enoshima not long after lunchtime or even midday.

The Path Between

As for the walking path and route to take to Enoshima, you’ll have two options. The first is to simply follow the train tracks, while the other is to simply walk along the coastal path of the sea. After exploring both options on different occasions, my suggestion is to keep an open mind and to do a combination of both along the way. In some areas the train tracks straddle the path straight through small villages which you can follow and explore, whereas in other parts they move into sections you can’t follow, and this is where you can move down towards the sea.

There are many different routes you can take and explore, the possibilities are endless. At times I found myself at a crossroads and simply went one way and then looped back round to take the other. If you are taking the sea route, then simply keep an eye on the side roads, and if they look interesting and you also spot the train track, then head on inland a little to see if the pathway is clear and it’s one worth exploring.

Enoshima

Enoshima itself is a small island just off the coast, but one which is easily accessible and fun to explore. You can walk across to the island along the bridge, and firstly there are a number of restaurants and shops for you to divulge in and enjoy. After this, head on up the hill where you have the option of going up the observation tower where you’ll experience a great view of the area from above, or alternatively get straight to working your way straight across to the far end of the island against the sea by the rocks. From here, the view out to sea is amazing and one worth making the effort to reach. Once finished exploring this area and of Enoshima, depending on time, you may be able to catch a boat back to the mainland if they are running.

After making your way back from Enoshima Island to the mainland, make sure to head to Katase-Nishihama Beach to watch the Sunset with everyone else, and hopefully with a clear view of Mt. Fuji. If Fuji-San is clear, I promise you won’t be disappointed, the location is perfect with the Sun setting behind from this side of the mountain.

Once the Sun has settled, stick around for a while for dinner in one of the various restaurants nearby, or catch the train back to Tokyo from Katase-Enoshima Station. Alternatively, you can take the Enoden Line Train back along the coast to Kamakura and make your way home to Tokyo from there.

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