Past Okutsunomiya, the third and final hall of Enoshima Shrine, the path climbs straight toward the island's summit. That's where you'll find Samuel Cocking Garden, the Enoshima Sea Candle observation tower, and — heading back down the other side — Iwayamichi Street, a quieter stretch lined with old shops and seafood restaurants that leads all the way to Chigogafuchi and Enoshima Iwaya Cave. Here's what's worth knowing before you make the climb.
Sea Candle Tickets and Hours
The Sea Candle observation tower charges admission separately from Samuel Cocking Garden below it, though a combined ticket covering both is usually the better deal if you want to see everything. Expect to pay somewhere around ¥800 for adults to go up the tower alone, with garden admission priced lower — but check current rates before you go, since prices and hours shift from season to season. Hours generally run from morning until early evening, later in summer.
Samuel Cocking Garden and the Climb Up
Okutsunomiya to the entrance of Samuel Cocking Garden is a short walk, and once the garden comes into view, you know the summit is close.
The garden's small "World Shell Museum" is worth a quick look if you're already there — it's packed with shell-themed displays that fit the island's whole aesthetic.
The View from Enoshima Sea Candle
The Sea Candle sits at the highest point on the island, and the elevator ride up is worth it for the view alone.
Sagami Bay opens up beneath you, and on a clear day, Mount Fuji is visible on the horizon. It's the best panoramic spot on Enoshima, hands down.
There's also an Italian restaurant, Il Chianti Cafe Enoshima, right at the base of the tower if you want to eat with the view still in front of you.
Turn around from the observation deck and you'll also catch Enoshima Yacht Harbor and the Fujisawa skyline stretched out below.
Walking Down Iwayamichi Street
From the Sea Candle, the path down toward Chigogafuchi is Iwayamichi Street — reached by heading straight past Cocking Garden from Nakatsunomiya. It's a stone-stepped street with a quieter, more mountain-village feel than the food stalls of Nakamise, lined with a handful of old shops worth stopping at.
Shima Cafe Enomaru
Shima Cafe Enomaru, set in a renovated old house, is the most eye-catching stop on the street — a warm, wood-toned spot that's easy to want to linger in.
Kaijotei
A little further on, Kaijotei is a guesthouse-and-seafood restaurant with a lived-in, unpretentious feel that stands out from the more polished tourist shops nearby.
Heidi
Heidi, a wood-fired bakery, fills the air with the smell of fresh bread from its stone oven — hard to walk past without stopping.
Nakamuraya Yokan
For a classic souvenir, Nakamuraya Yokan is a long-running shop that makes and sells yokan (sweet bean jelly) right in front of customers, one of the more memorable things to watch on this street.
Tousha
Further along, Tousha, a café built into an old house, offers a calmer break from the crowds.
Shima no Chaya Aburaya
Shima no Chaya Aburaya, an old-house sweets shop, sits near a charcoal grill stall sending up smoke you'll smell before you see it.
Azaleas and Old Shopfronts
The street itself has plenty of ups and downs — stone steps, a stretch of azaleas in season, and old shopfronts the whole way down toward the restaurants near Chigogafuchi.
Three Restaurants with a View: Miharutei, Fujimitei, and Uomitei
Toward the end of Iwayamichi Street, three seafood restaurants sit in a row overlooking the ocean — Miharutei, Fujimitei, and Uomitei, listed in order of proximity to Chigogafuchi. All three have terrace seating looking out over Sagami Bay, which is really the whole appeal.
Opening hours and days can shift by season, so it's worth checking ahead if you have one in mind. Just past Miharutei, a steep staircase leads down, and looking back as you descend, the red awnings against the ocean make for one of the better photo moments on this side of the island.
Chigogafuchi and Enoshima Iwaya Cave
Past the restaurants, a steep staircase leads down to Enoshima's west side and Chigogafuchi. From there, a coastal walkway with red rope railings follows the rocky shoreline — a completely different mood from the shrine visits and food stalls, with nothing but the sound of the waves.
Local legend connects Enoshima Iwaya Cave to Narusawa Ice Cave at the foot of Mount Fuji, supposedly linked by an underground passage called "Jigoku-ana" (Hell Hole) at the ice cave's deepest point. There's no scientific basis for it, but it's a story that's been told on both sides for generations — a nice piece of local color even if you don't make it into the cave itself.
Heading back toward the shrine side, there are also a few small restaurants tucked along the way where you can sit and look out at the water for a while before continuing your walk.
Summit Area Basics
| Main spots | Enoshima Sea Candle, Samuel Cocking Garden, Iwayamichi Street, Chigogafuchi, Enoshima Iwaya Cave |
| Hours | Varies by shop (roughly 9:00 AM–5:00 PM); Sea Candle open later |
| Sea Candle admission | Paid; combined ticket with Samuel Cocking Garden available — confirm current pricing before you go |
| Access | About a 5-minute walk from Okutsunomiya (Enoshima Shrine) to Samuel Cocking Garden |
| Note | Lots of stone steps and slopes — wear comfortable shoes |
For Enoshima Shrine and the Nakamise Street food stalls before this point, see the earlier steps in the walking route.
Enoshima Shrine Guide: Hetsunomiya, Nakatsunomiya & Okutsunomiya Explained
Enoshima Nakamise Street Food Guide: What to Eat on Your Way InFAQ
Q. Where does Iwayamichi Street start?
A. It starts past Nakatsunomiya, heading straight ahead with Samuel Cocking Garden on your right. Expect a fair number of stone steps, so wear shoes you can walk in comfortably.
Q. How much does it cost to go up the Sea Candle?
A. Admission is paid separately from Samuel Cocking Garden, though a combined ticket usually works out cheaper if you want both. Prices shift by season, so it's worth checking the official site before your visit.
Q. Is there an escalator, or do I have to climb the whole way?
A. If you'd rather not climb the stairs from near the shrine entrance, the Enoshima Escar — a series of outdoor escalators — covers most of the elevation gain up toward Samuel Cocking Garden for a small fee. It won't get you all the way to the Sea Candle deck, but it takes care of the steepest part.
Q. What's the difference between Miharutei, Fujimitei, and Uomitei?
A. They're listed in order of distance from Chigogafuchi — Miharutei closest, then Fujimitei, then Uomitei. All three share the same draw: terrace seating with ocean views. Hours can vary by season and day, so check ahead if you're set on one.
Q. Is it true that Enoshima's cave connects all the way to Mount Fuji?
A. It's a legend tied to Narusawa Ice Cave at the foot of Mount Fuji, with no scientific evidence behind it. That said, it's been told on both sides of the story — Enoshima and the Fuji Five Lakes area — for a long time, and it's a fun piece of local folklore either way.
Summary
From Okutsunomiya to the Sea Candle, down through Iwayamichi Street to Chigogafuchi, this stretch shows a different side of Enoshima than the shrine or the food stalls — old shops, ocean views, and a coastline walk to finish. Take your time on the way down; there's a reason to stop every few steps.
The full Enoshima walking route, from Nakamise Street to the summit, plus how to get there from Tokyo.
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Enoshima Shrine's three halls, the dragon legend, and the goshuin stamps to collect.
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What to eat on Nakamise Street before you start the climb toward the shrine.
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