Visiting Enoshima and Kamakura in new year

During Dec.30 to Jan.03, all the railways runs with the holiday timetable. It is slightly different from the weekdays.

From the midnight of Dec.31 to morning of Jan.01, Enoden Line, Odakyu Line and JR Yokosuka Line / Shonan-Shinjuku Line operates extra night-trains from Shinjuku and Shinagawa to Enoshima and Kamakura area.

Here shows detailed extra train info during the midnight of Dec.31 to early in the morning of Jan.01.

This is the most useful route to go to Enoshima and Kamakura area from Tokyo during the midnight of Dec.31 to morning of Jan.01.

Odakyu Line operates extra reserved Limited Express Romance-car train "New year Express" during 1:00 am to 5:00 am from Shinjuku Station.
It runs from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima directly. The reservation is possible just before taking the train at the station.

Also extra midnight Local train runs between Shinjuku and Sagamiono for every 15 minutes, Sagamiono and Katase-Enoshima for every 30 minutes.
No Express train and direct local train between Shinjuku and Katase-Enoshima during the period. So please change train for Katase-Enoshima at Sagamiono Station.

Enoden Line operates extra train for every 36 minutes during 0:00 am to 5:00 am in the morning of Jan.01, every 12 minutes from 5:00 am to 6:00 am.

JR Yokosuka Line and Shonan-Shinjuku Line operates extra Local train from Shinjuku and Shinagawa to Kamakura via Yokohama in the early morning of Jan.01 for every 1 hour each. (*Timetable updated on Dec.19,19)

Extra train Timetable (From Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama)

Shinjuku	0:29	1:22	2:23	3:33	4:36
Shibuya	0:35	1:27	2:28	3:38	4:41
Yokohama	1:02	2:00	3:00	4:08	5:11
Kamakura	1:27	2:29	3:26	4:33	*transfer at Ofuna

Extra train Timetable (From Shinagawa and Yokohama)

Shinagawa	1:09	2:09	3:11	4:09
Yokohama	1:33	2:33	3:35	4:33
Kamakura	1:57	2:57	3:59	4:57

*Here shows major stations only.

"Hatsumode [初詣]" is an popular event and custom of Japan's new year, that visit and worship shrine or temple for the first time in new year.
Some shrines and temples are decorate its precincts with lanterns and curtain, mainly on first three days of the new year.

Especially on Dec.31 to Jan.1, almost of major shrines and temples are open overnight and many people visit even at midnight.
From around 0:00 A.M. of Jan.01, an event to sound 108 times of bells called "Joya no Kane [除夜の鐘]" is held at major temples. In some temples, you have a chance to sound the bell once, up to 108 first arrival to hope for.

One of the most crowded shrine in the area during the new year. Many people goes up Nakamise Street slope and visit here before 0:00 A.M. of Jan.01.
Entrance regulation is often enforced depending on the congestion of the precincts, it may be made to wait in the middle of the slope even at midnight.

Many "Chochin [提灯]" traditional Japanese style lanterns decorated from red Torii gate to the main shrine building via Zuishinmon twer gate and it lighted on at the night. During the new year season, enter and exit way of Hetsunomiya main shrine is limited. It is possible to enter only from the Red Torii gate at Nakamise Street and unable to enter from Nakatsunomiya Square side.

The second shrine of Enoshima Jinja Shrines is also decorated with lines of Chochin lanterns around the shrine building.
It lighted on at the night time.

Even during the first days of the new year, this shrine located on the farthest area of the island is this shrine located on the farthest area of the island is less visitors than other shrines.
However, we can enjoy the costarring of the light with modern illuminations of Sea Candle and traditional Japanese style illumination that uses Chochin lantern during the year end and new year.

The biggest old temple Ryukoji [龍口寺] near Enoshima Island is also popular "Hatsumode" destination for residents.
Here is possible to sound the "Joya no Kane" bell. From around 23:00 of Dec.31, the temple distribute a numbered ticket for first arrival 108 applicants.
After the Buddhist ceremonies around 0:00 A.M., you can sound a bell sequentially.

A passing Enoden train and the gate decorate with chochin lanterns is annual new year scene at Manpukuji Temple in Koshigoe town.

Popular small shrine Goryo Jinja [御霊神社] that faces Enoden Line railway will held a new year celemony from 0:00 on Jan.01.

On Dec.31, the gate of Hasedera Temple [長谷寺] is closed once at 17:00 as usual.
Then open again at 23:00 (11:00pm). You can visit the temple free for charge until 8:00 am on Jan.01.
In addition, only during the period, you can enter from the temple's regular gate that is normally closed.

From 23:00 on Dec.31, a special candle illumination and buddhist ceremony "Manto Kigan-e [万灯祈願会]" is held at upper precinct. A lot of candles are lined up and the pattern emerges in the midnight precinct. Here is possible to sound the "Joya no Kane" bell. From around 22:00 of Dec.31, the temple distribute a numbered ticket for first arrival 108 applicants at near the entrance gate.
After the Buddhist ceremonies around 23:45, you can sound a bell sequentially.

On Jan.01, one of the popular sightseeing spot in Kamakura is open from 0:00am to 17:00.
But we strongly recommend you visiting the place at midnight to before dawn. Because there is a wonderful chance that you can meet with the Great Buddha without anyone else in the darkness and silence of the night, where it is usually very crowded.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine [鶴岡八幡宮] is one of the most crowded popular "Hatsumode" destination shrine not only in Kamakura but also in Japan.

The shrine is open 24 hours from Dec.31 to 21:00 of Jan.04. Entrance regulation is often enforced depending on the congestion of the precincts, it may be made to wait sometime even if it is the midnight.

[ Other temples and shrines info ]
Following temples are closed during first 3 days from the new year.

• Hokokuji Temple (known for bamboo garden) [報国寺]
• Jyomyoji Temple [浄妙寺]
• Kakuonji Temple [覚園寺]

Another popular events and customs for Japanese new year is "Hatsuhinode [初日の出]" to see the first sunrise of the year.
In Enoshima and Kamakura, sunrise of Jan.01 is past 6:50am. Here we will guide some good places to see.

Katase Higashihama Beach

The beach is one of the most crowded popular "Hatsuhinode" viewing spot for residents.
The sun rises from around the mountain over the sea on the left side.

Katase Gyoko fisherman's port

From the breakwater of the port adjoining to Katase Nishihama Beach is also good to see the sunrise. There are fewer people than other places.
The sun rises from over the bridge just in front of you.

You can see almost same sunrise scenery from Enoshima Bentenbashi Bridge, but here is very crowded.

Katase Nishihama Beach

Here is the only place where able to see the sunrise together with Enoshima Island.
The sun rises from just above of the sea shore on the left side.
The advantage of this place is you can see the beautiful snow-capped Mt. Fuji on the right side of the beach.

Nakatsunomiya Square

There is a viewing terrace near "Escar (paid escalator)" entrance. Here is possible to see the sunrise above the sea.

Sea embankment near Yacht Harbor

From the sea embankment in the dead end of east side of Enoshima Island is able to see the sunrise. Here has a wood deck near the white lighthouse.

Shichirigahama

Hatsuhinode is also can be seen from the seaside of Shichirigahama. The sun rises above the mountains on the left side.
Almost same sunrise scenery also can be seen in Kamakura Koko Mae Station and west side of Inamuragasaki.

Yuigahama and Zaimokuza Beach

On these cohesive beaches in the coastal side of Kamakura City is also one of the good "Hatsuhinode" viewing spot.
The sun rises from around the mountain on the left side.