Enoshima, Tied island in Fujisawa, Japan
Enoshima is a tied island in Fujisawa, Japan, rising 60 meters high and connected to the mainland by a 389-meter bridge. The island covers a circumference of roughly 4 kilometers and contains botanical gardens, shrines, observation towers and caves along the coastline.
A British merchant named Samuel Cocking purchased the island's uplands in 1880 and built a power plant and botanical gardens there. These facilities remain operational today and continue to shape how the island looks.
Locals connect the three shrines on the island through a pilgrimage path that winds through forest and stone steps. Each shrine has its own torii gate and prayer areas where visitors find good luck charms and wooden plaques with wishes.
Three train stations lie within walking distance of the entrance bridge: Katase-Enoshima, Enoshima Station and Shonan-Enoshima. Paths on the island involve stairs and slopes, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
The Iwaya Caves along the southern coast hold Buddhist statues and tell stories of a five-headed dragon that once lived in the area. Colorful lanterns hang from the ceiling in one of the caves and mark the path through the narrow passages.
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