Above: Mt. Fuji seen from Enoshima
Spring has finally arrived here in Japan, and one of the most characteristic parts of the Japanese spring is the blooming of the cherry blossom trees sakura. As a part of a small sakura sightseeing trip last week to Shonan we stopped by the famous island Enoshima where we also got a glimpse of the Japanese symbol. The timing of the sakura season changes depending on the area you visit (sakura forecast for 2018 here), and early March was perfect for seeing the beautiful flowers by the Oide River. We did see some sakura on Enoshima as well, but if you're considering to visit Enoshima for the sakura season you might want to include a stop by the Oide River to your itenary.
When we arrived at Enoshima it was already getting late, but we still had an hour or so before sunset. The Enoshima island has a very special atmosphere, making it immensely popular with tourists traveling from near and far. Although most visitors stop by for a day trip from Tokyo the area has a lot of attractive points such as beautiful beaches, good surfing opportunities and the nearby Kamakura making the area ideal for longer stays as well.
There is only one path leading up to the temples on the Enoshima island, so it is easy to navigate. Especially with all the tourists; all you need to do is following the crowds.
After having gone through the first grey torii gate you get to a shopping street where they sell various souvenirs and local snacks. On a side note; The most popular meibutsu (local product) you can find here is shirasu, (young of sardines), and if you're hungry for lunch it's a good chance to try out shirasu-don, a bowl with shirasu topping.
Old ledgends has it that Enoshima island was created by the Goddess of Eloquence; Benzaiten (弁財天). This popular goddess is one of Japan's Seven Gods of Fortune (fukujin) and is commonly associated with good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge. On the Enoshima island you can find three separate shrines that are spread out through the island, making it an interesting place to go for a stroll. Here are some more of my photos from the visit:
Above: A large ema (絵馬) marking the year of the dog
Above: View of Shonan from the staircase behind the red torii
Above: A ring that is suppost to bring you good fortune if you walk through it.
Above: Flowers in bloom
Above: Ema (絵馬) with people's wishes of luck
Above: The ema (絵馬) and an old tree
Above: A map of the area
Above: A sakura tree in bloom on Enoshima
Although Enoshima didn't have many sakura trees to boost of we did visit just as this beautiful sakura tree in the middle of the island was standing there in full bloom.
Above: View of mainland Japan seen from EnoshimaAbove: Sunset and the contures of Mt. Fuji
Above: The Enoshima Sea Candle (lighthouse observation tower)
Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below
- Anette
■ Basic Info
- ・Enoshima (江ノ島)
Related blog posts
- All blog posts about Cherry Blossoms
- All blog posts from Kanagawa
- Kanto:
- Mt. Fuji & Sakura: Maruyama Kouen (丸山公園) and Iwadono Castle (岩殿城)
- Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots: Nakameguro's Meguro River (目黒川)
- Hiking in Tokyo: Sakura viewing (花見) at Mount Takao
- Cherry Blossoms and Jogging in Tokyo: The Imperial Palace (皇居)
- Saitama: Sakura Season & Washi no Sato World Heritage Paper Making in Chichibu
- Chubu:
- The Tsubame Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom PR & Last Minute Preparations
- Behind the Scene of the Tsubame Sakura Matsuri Festival - The Oiran Dochu
- Izu: Sakura Viewing at the Kawazu Sakura Festival (伊豆河津桜まつり)
- Early March Cherry Blossom Viewing in Shonan - Oide River (小出川)
- Sakura Season in Japan: A visit to Enoshima
- Kansai:
- Sakura Season in Kansai - Hanami in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park!
- Spring in Japan: Sakura Season and Hanami in Kyoto!
- Spring in Kyoto: Ritsumeikan University Orientation Week and Cherry Blossom Hanami!
- Sakura Season: Weekend Trip to Nara
- All blog posts from Japan
Recommended Sakura View Hotels in Tokyo
Hotel Chinzanso ★★★★★ → review . | Hotel New Otani Tokyo ★★★★★ . | The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo ★★★★★ , | Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa ★★★★ . |
This page contains affiliate links, and if you follow a link and make a hotel reservation through these links you help support this blog without any additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your kind support!
Leave your comment
Post a Comment