Enoshima-jinja

Kamakura


On Enoshima Island, a popular date spot connected by road to the Shōnan Coast, a steep cobblestone lane (or the escalator if you prefer) leads to this shrine to the sea goddess Benzaiten. There are separate entry fees for individual shrines within the complex.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kamakura attractions

1. Hase-dera

3.14 MILES

The focal point of this Jōdo sect temple, one of the most popular in the Kantō region, is a 9m-high carved wooden jūichimen (11-faced) Kannon statue…

2. Daibutsu

3.37 MILES

Kamakura's most iconic sight, an 11.4m bronze statue of Amida Buddha (amitābha in Sanskrit), is in Kōtoku-in, a Jōdo sect temple. Completed in 1252, it's…

3. Sasuke-inari-jinja

3.74 MILES

This Shintō shrine, dedicated to the fox spirit Inari and strewn with thousands of tiny fox totems, is located in woodland along Kamakura's Daibutsu…

4. Zeniarai-benten

3.95 MILES

One of Kamakura's most alluring Shintō shrines, which you can enter via tunnel or a trail above; it's located along the Daibutsu hiking trail. Washing…

5. Jōchi-ji

4.42 MILES

Founded in 1283 by Hojo Morotoki, Jōchi-ji is the fourth of Kamakura’s five great Zen temples. The main gate’s bell, on the second floor of the bell tower…

6. Tōkei-ji

4.44 MILES

Across the railway tracks from Engaku-ji, Tōkei-ji is famed as having served as a women's refuge. A woman could be officially recognised as divorced after…

7. Ennō-ji

4.62 MILES

Tiny Ennō-ji is distinguished by its statues depicting the judges of hell. According to the Juo concept of Taoism, which was introduced to Japan from…

8. Engaku-ji

4.68 MILES

Engaku-ji is one of Kamakura's five major Rinzai Zen temples. It was founded in 1282 for Zen monks to pray for soldiers who lost their lives defending…