🌊 Solo Escape: Enoshima Day Trip – Beyond the Tourist Trail

#summervacay **📍 Where?** Enoshima Island, Kanagawa (1hr from Tokyo) **⏰ Best Time?** Weekday mornings (June for hydrangeas, Sept-Oct for sunsets) --- ### **✨ Why Solo Travelers Love This Route** - **🗼 Secret Pagoda** – Avoid the crowds at **Enoshima Sea Candle** and find the tucked-away **Hōtō-ji Temple pagoda** with ocean views - 🏄 **Surf Culture** – Watch locals ride waves at **Kohama Beach** (rent a board for ¥2,000/hr) - 🐚 **Hidden Shrine** – **Enoshima Jinja’s hidden cave** (low tide only!) with dragon legends - 🍤 **Street Food Hack** – Skip the main drag and try **Tobiume**’s shrimp croquettes near the marina --- ### **🚆 Solo-Friendly Route** 1. **From Tokyo:** Odakyu Romancecar to Katase-Enoshima (1hr) 2. **Local Hack:** Take the Enoden Line from Kamakura for vintage coastal vibes --- ### **🌅 Perfect Solo Itinerary** **Morning Adventure:** - 7:30 AM: Sunrise at **Hōtō-ji Temple** (pagoda opens early) - 9:00 AM: Explore **Iwaya Caves** before crowds arrive (¥500, flashlight provided) **Midday Chill:** - 11:30 AM: **Kohama Beach** surf watching + matcha latte at **Hula Coffee** - 1:00 PM: Secret lunch at **Uomitei** (seaside udon – ask for the “solo counter”) **Evening Magic:** - 3:30 PM: **Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden** hydrangea tunnel (Jun-Jul) - 5:00 PM: Sunset from **hidden cliff spot** (past the lighthouse, turn left at bronze bell) --- ### **💡 Insider Tips** ✔ **Tide Check:** Iwaya Caves only accessible 2hrs before/after low tide ✔ **Money Saver:** Buy Enoshima 1-Day Pass (¥2,000) for unlimited escalators + attractions ✔ **Solo Photo Op:** Pagoda’s reflection in the **Zeniarai Benten pond** --- ### **📸 Hidden Photo Spots** ✅ **Hōtō-ji’s stone lanterns** framing Mt. Fuji (on clear days) ✅ **Abandoned boat dock** behind Enoshima Aquarium ✅ **Surfboards stacked** at Shōnan Kōsaten intersection --- ### **🌿 Beyond the Island** - **Kamakura Komachi Street** (20min train) – Matcha soft serve heaven - **Shichirigahama Beach** – Instagrammable coffee trucks - **Yokosuka Navy Curry** – Try this local twist at **Enoshima Curry Lab** --- ### **📌 Hashtag Your Escape** #solokanagawa #hiddenenoshima #shonansurf #pagodaviews #tokyodaytrip --- **🏄 Solo Wisdom:** "Finding that quiet pagoda corner just as the morning fog lifts – this is why we travel alone." *Beach bum or temple explorer? Surf vibes or shrine serenity?* 🌊⛩️ Comment below! **P.S.** The island cats hang out near **Enoshima Hotel’s garden** – bring treats! 🐈⬛