How to get to Enoshima: trains, buses, rental cars and passes

There are several ways to reach Enoshima, because the island sits at the end of three separate rail routes: Odakyu from western Tokyo, the Enoden running between Kamakura and Fujisawa, and the Shonan Monorail from Ofuna. The best choice depends on where you start and whether you want convenience or lower cost. This guide begins with a short answer, then works through each starting city, down to luggage and reservations.

The fastest way in het kort

One point to keep in mind: the three stations are some distance apart. Katase-Enoshima, Enoshima Station on the Enoden and Shonan-Enoshima Station on the monorail each lie in a different spot and approach the bridge from a different direction. Choose the station to match your return route and your hotel, not simply the one that looks closest to the island on a map. Walking between them is possible, but it adds time you may not want to spend on a short day.

From Tokyo

From Shinjuku, Odakyu runs both reserved-seat Romancecar services and ordinary trains to Katase-Enoshima Station, taking roughly an hour and a bit overall. Leave the station, which looks like a dragon palace, and walk toward the Enoshima bridge, about ten to fifteen minutes on foot. By JR from Tokyo or Shinagawa, take the Tokaido Line to Fujisawa, roughly forty to fifty minutes, then walk to the adjoining Enoden station and ride another ten minutes or so to Enoshima Station. Actual times depend on the train you get.

From Osaka and Kyoto

From Osaka and Kyoto, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shin-Yokohama or Tokyo, roughly two to three hours for the shinkansen leg alone depending on the train type. From there change to the JR Tokaido Line for Fujisawa and the Enoden, or head to Shinjuku for Odakyu. Many travellers combine Enoshima with Kamakura and Tokyo in one route rather than a same-day round trip from the Kansai area, which would be tiring.

From the airports and nearby cities

From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu line to Yokohama, then the JR Tokaido Line to Fujisawa. From Narita the trip is longer and usually means going into Tokyo or Shinjuku first. From Yokohama and Kamakura, JR and Enoden trains make short work of it. These nearby cities suit travellers who use them as an overnight base and head for Enoshima in the morning.

Train, bus and rental car

• Train: the most convenient option and free of traffic, though weekends and summer can be crowded.
• Bus: local lines link Fujisawa and Kamakura to the Enoshima area, but they slow down in traffic.
• Rental car: not recommended for Enoshima, because the coastal roads clog and parking is hard to find on holidays.

Passes and tickets that apply

Three groups of tickets are relevant. First, an Odakyu pass that bundles Enoshima and Kamakura. Second, a one-day Enoden ticket covering the whole Enoden line. Third, JR passes, which work on JR sections only and do not cover Odakyu, Enoden or the monorail. Prices and conditions change, so count the rides you will actually take before buying. Travellers making only a round trip and a few extra rides often do not recoup the cost of a day pass.

Luggage and reservations

Enoden trains are small and fill easily on holidays, so dragging a large suitcase is awkward. Leave bags in lockers at a major station or at your hotel and travel light. The Romancecar uses reserved seats that can sell out on weekends, so book ahead through the operator and leave some slack in case of delays.

Bekijk eSIM-bundels voor Japan

When you are switching between Odakyu, JR and the Enoden, map and timetable apps keep you from picking the wrong station, so data throughout the day matters. An eSIM is an option you can set up before boarding your flight.