The Enoden, a local line ambling through Shonan's streets and along the coast, always leaves me wondering which train will show up today. Retro green-and-cream cars, a blue car marking the line's anniversary, even limited-run character collaboration trains — every Enoden car has its own personality. This article introduces the trains running on the Enoden, with photos taken along the line.
What Is the Enoden?
A note for photographers
Please be mindful not to block traffic when shooting along the line or near stations, and be considerate of nearby residents.
History & Route Overview
The Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) is a historic local line that opened in 1902, connecting Fujisawa Station and Kamakura Station over roughly 10km. It started life as a streetcar line, and today it's beloved as a uniquely varied railway, running through everything from residential neighborhoods to seaside scenery. Despite being a compact, single-track operation, it draws large numbers of tourists year-round.
Sea, Mountains & Old-Town Scenery Along the Line
The scenery along the Enoden line blends the sea, mountains, and old-town Kamakura in equal measure. The stretch between Koshigoe and Kamakura-Kokomae is especially popular for its sweeping views of the Shonan coast from the train window. With easy access to beaches like Yuigahama and Shichirigahama, and historic sites like Hase-dera and the Great Buddha, simply riding the train feels like part of the sightseeing.
The Special Feeling of a "Train Running Through Town"
One of the Enoden's biggest draws is the slightly surreal feeling of running so close to residential neighborhoods. Watching it brush past the eaves of houses is a sight you rarely see in an urban setting. In some stretches the train runs alongside the road, giving it a streetcar-like closeness. Its unhurried pace gives the whole ride the quality of a scene from a film.
A Field Guide to Enoden's Character & Anniversary Trains
Alongside its everyday cars in traditional colors, the Enoden also runs special trains marking openings and anniversaries, plus limited-run character collaboration trains. Here's a rundown of the cars that make you feel a little lucky when you spot them.
| Train | Overview |
|---|---|
| Netflix One Piece Enoden | A special wrap designed after the Going Merry (ran spring 2026, now retired) |
| Classic Green & Cream | Series 1000 & 1500, the traditional colors that define the Enoden look |
| Navy Blue Anniversary Cars | Series 10 & 20 anniversary trains, known for their elegant styling |
| Randen Sister-Line Collaboration | A Kyo-murasaki-colored car marking the tie-up with Kyoto's Randen (currently running) |
| Baby Star Ramen Collaboration | A lively wrap featuring mascot Hoshio-kun (ran 2024, now retired) |
"Netflix One Piece Enoden," a Collaboration with Netflix's One Piece
The One Piece train stopped at the platform at Gokurakuji Station.
In spring 2026, this train was running on the Enoden: the "Netflix One Piece Enoden," a wrapped train celebrating the release of Netflix's live-action One Piece Season 2. A special design evoking the Going Merry covered the entire car, with the interior flooring and hanging ads all styled around the show's world — a genuinely playful touch.
The One Piece wrapped train arriving at Kamakura Station.
The moment this train pulled onto the platform at Kamakura Station, I couldn't help reaching for my camera. Seeing familiar characters woven into the Enoden's usual run through residential neighborhoods made for a genuinely fun, small-adventure kind of ride.
The One Piece train passing Manpuku-ji.
This One Piece train ran on a limited basis through early May 2026 and has since returned to regular service. The Enoden rolls out these limited-run character collaboration trains a few times a year, so it's worth following the Enoden's official social media to catch whatever comes next.
Series 1000 & 1500: The Traditional Green-and-Cream Enoden Colors
Pictured here is the two-tone green-and-cream car that's become the Enoden's signature look. This paint scheme, sometimes called the "Enoden color," is beloved by tourists and locals alike. The Series 1000 debuted in 1979 as the line's first entirely new-built cars in 48 years, and 6 sets (12 cars) remain in service today. Its successor, the Series 1500, joined the fleet in 1987. Both have a rounded front end and window frame design with a nostalgic touch, giving them a presence that blends perfectly into the Shonan scenery.
A crossing near Kamakura-Kokomae Station, where the sea, the train, and flowers all come together for a moment.
The car pictured, in deep navy blue with gold lines, belongs to the Series 10 and Series 20 anniversary cars. The Series 10, a single 2-car set, debuted in 1997 to mark the line's 95th anniversary. Between 2002 and 2003, two more 2-car sets, the Series 20, joined to mark the 100th anniversary. They're some of the rarest cars on the Enoden.
Despite their retro appearance, they're built with modern safety and comfort standards, making them popular with locals and tourists alike. Their elegantly decorated cars have a mood closer to a classic hotel lounge, and watching one glide slowly along the narrow tracks through a residential neighborhood is the Enoden's "train in harmony with the town" concept at its finest.
The moment two trains pass each other, between Kamakura-Kokomae and Shichirigahama stations.
The Kyo-Murasaki "Sister-Line" Train, Tied to Kyoto's Randen
This is the "Enoden × Randen Sister-Line Train" (car no. 1002), running since September 2024 to mark the 15th anniversary of the sister-line partnership between the Enoden and Kyoto's Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad). Repainted in Randen's traditional "kyo-murasaki" purple, it's a single car linking two old capitals on opposite ends of Japan. It's scheduled to run through around autumn 2026, so it's still active for now.
The car features cute artwork of the Enoden's mascot, "Enon-kun," alongside Randen's mascot, "Aran" — a hit with kids and families, not just train fans. The message "Discovering something new" adds a nice touch of anticipation for the journey.
Look closely while it's stopped at a platform and you'll spot little details — the two mascots holding hands, for instance — that make spotting this train even more fun.
The Retired Baby Star Ramen Collaboration Train
Between August and December 2024, the Enoden also ran a collaboration train marking the 65th anniversary of Oyatsu Company's "Baby Star Ramen" snack brand. Based on a Series 2000 car, it carried a lively white-and-red design covering the entire body, decorated with the official mascot "Hoshio-kun" and characters from a three-way tie-up with Kaohsiung Metro in Taiwan.
A second set, based around white and dark green, ran during the same period. Its wrap was more understated, blending naturally into the townscape and scenery along the line — a great subject for anyone hoping to photograph the train together with the sea.
Both are now retired, but the Enoden regularly organizes collaborations like these with local partners and companies. Between trains like the One Piece car and the sister-line train, there's always a small sense of anticipation about what you might encounter on your next ride.
FAQ
Q. Where are the best spots to photograph the trains?
A. Areas around Kamakura-Kokomae and Shichirigahama stations are popular for capturing the sea and a train together. See the linked article below for a detailed, photo-illustrated guide to this stretch, also known as a Slam Dunk pilgrimage site.
Q. What kind of train is the Enoden's "Series 1000"?
A. A veteran mid-generation car built between 1979 and 1987, with a relatively large number of sets still in active service among the Enoden's fleet. Its rounded, retro front-end design and distinctive rattling drive sound are part of its charm. It's still frequently used for special event wraps today.
Q. How is the "Series 2000" different from the Series 1000?
A. Introduced between 1990 and 1992, it's essentially a full model-change successor to the Series 1000. Large windows give great views from inside, and the boxier body has a more streamlined, stylish look. It also runs noticeably quieter, and won a Good Design Award from Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry the year it debuted, in 1990.
Q. How can you tell the trains apart by appearance or color?
A. The Series 1000 has a classic, rounded front-end shape and is often in the traditional Enoden colors (green and cream). The Series 2000 has a boxier design with large windows, and is frequently seen in colorful event wraps or special paint schemes.
Q. Which train has the smoother ride?
A. The Series 2000 tends to feel quieter and smoother. The Series 1000 has a louder motor sound and a bit more sway, but that's exactly the appeal for anyone chasing a classic, old-school train feel.
Q. Which train is best for photos?
A. Both are photogenic, but it depends on what you're going for.
- Series 1000: Best if you want that classic, old-school Enoden feel.
- Series 2000: Its large windows and wraps make for visually punchy, colorful shots.
It's also fun to try catching the moment two trains pass each other, or when a collaboration wrap lines up with another car.
Q. What is "Enon-kun," the Enoden's mascot character?
A. He's the Enoden's official mascot, sometimes appearing alongside Randen's mascot "Aran," as seen on the sister-line train. He turns up in small details around stations and on the trains themselves, so keeping an eye out for him is part of the fun of riding.
Q. What camera do you use for this blog?
旅先やディズニーに気軽に持ち歩いて、パッとスナップを撮りたい。そんな時に活躍しているのがNikon Z fcです。 見た目通り軽くてコンパクトなので、バッグに入れっぱなしにしていても負担になりません。「大きい一眼を持ち歩くのはちょっと…」という方でも、これなら気負わずシャッターを切れると思います。 クラシックなフィルムカメラを思わせるデザインも旅先で気分が上がるポイントで、カメラを構えているだけで少し楽しくなる、そんな一台です。 実際、このサイトのディズニーや旅行の写真も、身軽に動きたいシーンではこのZfcで撮っていることが多いです。 「まずは気軽にミラーレスを始めたい」「散歩感覚で写真を撮りたい」という方は、ぜひチェックしてみてください。
Summary: A Field Guide to Enoden's Retro & Character Trains
From the retro, character-filled Series 1000 to the blue anniversary cars and limited-run character collaboration trains, the Enoden is full of cars that make you want to reach for your camera. Far more than just a way to get around, the Enoden has been embraced as part of the local scenery — its design and colors carry the region's history, culture, and a real sense of playfulness. Walk the line with a camera in hand, and you might just come home with a shot you couldn't get any other day.
Photo spots along the Enoden line, including Kamakura-Kokomae and Shichirigahama, where you can capture the trains and the sea together.
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If you're planning to spend a full day exploring Kamakura and Enoshima on foot, the Enoden's "Noriorikun" one-day pass is worth a look. Its appeal is simple: get off at whichever station catches your eye, take photos, duck into a…
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Articles from walking and photographing the Kamakura and Enoshima area myself, grouped by theme — temple visits like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Hase-dera, Enoden station highlights, one-day passes and train cars, and shopping streets and food. Use it as a reference for planning your own Kamakura walk.
Agoda
Expedia
Hotels.com
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Goshuin & Blessings
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Sake Barrel Guide
Kotoku-in: The Great Buddha
Meigetsu-in: Goshuin & Hydrangeas
Hase-dera: Flowers & Views
Gokuraku-ji: A Quiet Old Temple
Koyurugi Shrine: Ocean Views
Manpuku-ji: Enoden Photo Spot
Enoshima Complete Guide
Listed in order from Fujisawa to Kamakura, by Enoden station number (EN06–EN15).
EN06 Enoshima Station
EN07 Koshigoe Station
EN08 Kamakurakokomae Station
EN09 Shichirigahama Station
EN10 Inamuragasaki Station
EN11 Gokurakuji Station
EN12 Hase Station
EN15 Kamakura Station
