Enoshima technically touches four different rail lines, but only three stations actually put you within walking distance of the island: Shonan-Enoshima Station (Shonan Monorail), Enoshima Station (Enoden), and Katase-Enoshima Station (Odakyu Line). Which one you use depends entirely on where you're coming from. Here's the full route from Tokyo, plus what makes each of the three stations worth a look on its own.
How to Get to Enoshima from Tokyo
The most direct route from Shinjuku is the Odakyu Line: take a commuter train or the Romancecar limited express to Fujisawa Station (about 50 minutes), then transfer to the local Odakyu Enoshima Line for the final three stops to Katase-Enoshima (about 10 minutes). Total travel time is roughly 70–80 minutes, and a one-way fare runs about ¥650 with an IC card. A handful of direct Romancecar trains run straight from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima without the transfer, a few times a day — worth checking if you'd rather skip changing trains.
From Shibuya, the trip takes a little over an hour including transfers. If you're coming via JR, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line connects through to Fujisawa or Ofuna, where you can transfer to the Odakyu Line, the Enoden, or the monorail depending on which of the three stations you're headed for.
A route map posted near the station, showing all 3 lines and the main sights around Enoshima.
Comparing the 3 Stations
Which station makes sense depends on where you're starting from and which line you're already on.
| Station | Line | Travel Time | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shonan-Enoshima Station | Shonan Monorail | ~14 min from Ofuna | A suspended monorail — you ride hanging from the rail above. A fun novelty, especially with kids. |
| Enoshima Station | Enoden | ~13 min from Fujisawa | Single-track line through residential streets. A one-day Enoden pass costs ¥800 for adults, ¥400 for kids. |
| Katase-Enoshima Station | Odakyu Line | ~6 min from Fujisawa | Most convenient if you're coming from Shinjuku or elsewhere on the Odakyu Line. Look for the dragon-palace-style station building. |
Enoshima Station (Enoden)
Watching Enoshima Station come into view from the front car of the train.
Enoshima Station has a retro, wood-toned charm that feels completely different from Katase-Enoshima down the road.
The station is actually split into two separate buildings — one for the Fujisawa-bound platform, one for the Kamakura-bound platform — both with matching triangular wooden roofs.
Two Station Buildings, One Retro Look
A Nostalgic Ticket Gate
The log-cabin-style exterior is another Enoshima Station trademark. IC card gates are fully modern, but the whole station still carries a Showa-era, nostalgic atmosphere.
Enonden: A Real Train Car Inside the Station
Inside the ticket gates, look for a small exhibit called "Enonden," set up in 2009. It includes a real cut-away cab section from car No. 303 (retired in 2007) and a diorama of the Enoden line built by the railway modeling club at Iwakura High School. It's open from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM, and you don't have to be a train enthusiast to enjoy sitting in a real Enoden seat for a photo.
An Enoden train pulling out of the station, crossing the level crossing and heading off toward Fujisawa in its retro color scheme.
Katase-Enoshima Station (Odakyu Line)
This is the station that looks like it belongs in the story of Enoshima itself.
A Dragon Palace Built New
The current building, which broke ground in March 2018 and reopened in 2020, uses "ryugu-zukuri" — a traditional construction style associated with shrines and temples — to recreate a dragon palace, complete with vivid red lacquer and detailed carving throughout.
The station has looked vaguely like a dragon palace since it first opened in 1929, and the 2020 renovation pushed that theme even further.
A Golden Dragon and Intricate Roof Details
The gold bronze dragon on the roof's peak is a direct reference to Enoshima's own legend of the five-headed dragon and the celestial maiden. Round decorative roof fittings echo a wave motif along the curved eaves, and a golden dolphin statue takes the spot where a shachihoko roof ornament would normally sit. Inside the gates, there's reportedly a real jellyfish tank done in collaboration with the New Enoshima Aquarium — worth a look if you have a minute before heading to the island.
Looking up, even the eaves are carved with an elaborate wooden dragon.
Suzuki Street (Subana-dori)
From Enoshima Station, the route to the island runs through Suzuki Street (Subana-dori), a shopping street lined with restaurants and souvenir shops on both sides — a good spot to stop on your way back if you didn't have time going in.
Where the Name Comes From
The name comes from the area's position at the mouth (hana) of the nearby Sakai River, known historically as "Subana." The street has served as an approach to Enoshima Shrine since the Edo period, and it grew further as a resort and beach town during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
A Quiet Old Ryokan Just off the Street
Down a tree-lined stone path, the entrance to the old ryokan Kiinokuniya.
A little further off the main street, a stone-paved lane surrounded by greenery leads to the entrance of Kiinokuniya, a long-standing ryokan. It's the kind of quiet corner you don't expect right next to a busy food street.
Crossing to Enoshima
Signage at the underpass entrance points the way to the New Enoshima Aquarium, Ryukoji Temple, and other nearby sights.
Past Suzuki Street, Enoshima Bridge comes into view — a roughly 389-meter pedestrian bridge connecting the mainland to the island. At the foot of the bridge stands a stone lantern carved with a dragon, placed in reference to Enoshima's own dragon legend, the Enoshima Engi. From partway across, you can already see the Sea Candle observation tower rising above the island ahead.
Enoshima seen across Katase fishing harbor, the Sea Candle just visible above the trees.
Enoshima Station Basics
| Shonan-Enoshima Station | Shonan Monorail / ~14 min from Ofuna (suspended monorail) |
| Enoshima Station | Enoden / ~13 min from Fujisawa. One-day pass: ¥800 adults, ¥400 kids |
| Katase-Enoshima Station | Odakyu Line / ~6 min from Fujisawa |
| Suzuki Street | Shopping street from Enoshima Station to Enoshima Bridge |
| Enoshima Bridge | Roughly 389m pedestrian bridge |
FAQ
Q. Which station should I use if I'm coming from Tokyo, Shinjuku, or Shibuya?
A. From Shinjuku or anywhere on the Odakyu Line, Katase-Enoshima Station is the most direct. Coming via Kamakura on the Enoden, use Enoshima Station. If you're coming through Ofuna and want to ride the monorail, use Shonan-Enoshima Station. All three are within about a 15-minute walk of Enoshima Bridge.
Q. Do I need a special ticket or pass to get to Enoshima?
A. No special ticket is required — a regular IC card or paper ticket works fine on any of the three lines. If you plan to hop on and off the Enoden multiple times, though, the one-day pass (¥800 adults, ¥400 kids) can be worth it.
Q. Why does Katase-Enoshima Station look like a dragon palace?
A. It's been designed around a dragon-palace theme since the station first opened in 1929. The 2020 renovation brought in "ryugu-zukuri," a traditional shrine-and-temple construction style, to build out that theme more fully — with the roof's gold dragon a direct nod to Enoshima's own dragon legend.
Q. How far is the walk from the station to Enoshima?
A. From Enoshima Station, you'll walk through Suzuki Street and across Enoshima Bridge (about 389m) to reach the island — plan on roughly 10 minutes to cross the bridge alone.
Summary
Enoshima has three gateway stations, each with its own personality — the retro charm of Enoshima Station, the dragon-palace theatrics of Katase-Enoshima, and the novelty ride of the Shonan Monorail. Wherever you're coming from in Tokyo, the trip itself is part of the experience, and the walk to the island starts the moment you step off the train.
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