Kamakura and Enoshima Day Trip from Tokyo: Route, Passes and Entry Fees
The Great Buddha, seaside temples, a little train along the coast and an island with sunset views. How to see Kamakura and Enoshima in one day from Tokyo, which pass to buy, and what the main sights cost.
Kamakura was Japan's capital in the 12th and 13th centuries. Today it is a relaxed seaside town full of temples, with the giant bronze Great Buddha as its star. Next door is Enoshima, a small island with shrines, cliffs and sunset views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.
Link the two with the Enoden, a little train that runs along the coast, and you have one of the best day trips from Tokyo.
At a glance
- Time needed: a full day
- Best pass from Shinjuku: Odakyu's Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass, ¥1,640 (adult)
- Main entry fees: Great Buddha ¥300, Hasedera ¥400, Enoshima Sea Candle ¥800
The route
The easiest plan is a one-way loop, so you never backtrack:
- Tokyo → Kamakura. Start in Kamakura in the morning.
- Kamakura town: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Komachi-dori shopping street, near Kamakura Station.
- Enoden to Hase: the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) and Hasedera Temple are both a short walk from Hase Station.
- Enoden along the coast to Enoshima: cross the bridge to the island, climb to the top, and watch the sunset.
- Enoshima → Tokyo from Katase-Enoshima (Odakyu) or Fujisawa.
You can also do it in reverse: Enoshima in the morning and Kamakura in the afternoon. Doing it in the order above lets you end the day with the sunset on Enoshima.
Getting there: which ticket?
There are two main ways to get there from Tokyo.
From Shinjuku: the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass
Odakyu's Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass is the best deal if you start from Shinjuku or anywhere on the Odakyu Line.
| Adult | Child | |
|---|---|---|
| From Shinjuku | ¥1,640 | ¥430 |
| From Fujisawa | ¥810 | ¥410 |
- Valid for one day.
- Includes a round trip from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line and unlimited rides on the Enoden and on Odakyu local trains in the Enoshima-Kamakura area.
- Discounts at some temples, aquariums and other sights.
- Want a reserved seat? Add the Romancecar for ¥750 (adult) one way between Shinjuku and Katase-Enoshima.
- Buy it as a smartphone ticket on Odakyu's EMot site, or from ticket machines at Odakyu stations.
See the Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass (Odakyu)
From Tokyo Station: JR plus an Enoden day pass
If you are staying near Tokyo Station, the JR Yokosuka Line runs direct to Kamakura Station in roughly an hour. The Freepass does not cover JR, so pay the JR fare (an IC card like Suica works), and buy the Enoden day pass, Noriorikun, for the coast:
| Enoden "Noriorikun" day pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ¥800 | ¥400 |
It gives unlimited rides on the whole Enoden line, from Kamakura to Fujisawa, for one day. Buy it from ticket machines at any Enoden station or on EMot. If you only ride the Enoden two or three times, compare it with single fares (an IC card works on the Enoden too) before you buy.
What things cost
| Sight | Entry (adult) | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) | ¥300 (+¥50 to go inside the statue) | 8:00–17:30 Apr–Sep, 8:00–17:00 Oct–Mar |
| Hasedera Temple | ¥400 | 8:00–16:30 entry (to 17:00 in Apr–Jun) |
| Tsurugaoka Hachimangu | Free to walk the grounds | |
| Enoshima Sea Candle (lighthouse tower) | ¥800 | Varies by season and events |
| Enoshima Escar (outdoor escalators up the island) | ¥500 | |
| Sea Candle set (tower + Escar + garden) | ¥1,100 | Daytime |
Children pay less at all of these. Check each official site for details.
A sample budget from Shinjuku (adult, using the Freepass): Freepass ¥1,640 + Great Buddha ¥300 + Hasedera ¥400 + Sea Candle set ¥1,100 = ¥3,440, before food and souvenirs.
Save your legs on Enoshima
Enoshima is steep. The Sea Candle set ticket includes the Escar escalators to the top, the Samuel Cocking Garden and the lighthouse tower, and costs less than buying the tower and escalators separately (¥800 + ¥500 = ¥1,300).
A sample day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Arrive at Kamakura Station |
| 9:15 | Walk Komachi-dori and visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu |
| 11:00 | Enoden to Hase. See the Great Buddha |
| 12:00 | Lunch near Hase, then Hasedera and its sea view |
| 14:30 | Enoden along the coast to Enoshima |
| 15:00 | Cross to the island, Escar to the top, Samuel Cocking Garden |
| 16:30 | Sea Candle for the sunset (and Mt. Fuji if it is clear) |
| 18:00 | Head back to Tokyo |
This is a rough plan. Sunset is earlier in winter, so start earlier then.
Tips
- Go on a weekday if you can. Komachi-dori and the Enoden get very crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in hydrangea season (June) and autumn.
- Wear good shoes. Hasedera and Enoshima involve a lot of steps.
- Try the local food: shirasu (tiny whitebait) on rice is the Shonan coast's specialty.
- Check closing times. Temples close earlier than you might expect, so see them before the island.
Sources
Prices change
Prices, exchange rates and rules in this article were checked on the date shown above. They can change at any time, so please confirm on the official website before you book or buy.
