The beginning place of the history of Enoshima Island
Iwaya Caves is in the west end of Enoshima Island and where the beginning place of a legend as a religious training spot. Since En on Ozunu trained in Nara era, lot of famous Buddhist monks are trained in the cave and it has been worshiped as the holy land by occasional statesman.
Reef around the cave is known for locals as fishing spot and magnificent viewing spot of Mt.Fuji.
Iwaya Caves guide
Where to go & What to do?
- See fantastic panoramic ocean-view with Mt.Fuji from Chigogafuchi.
- See beautiful sunset
- Visit Iwaya Caves
- Especially recommended for... Families / Friends / Couples / Photographers
- 42 minutes (2.2km) from Katase-Enoshima Station
- 46 minutes (2.5km) from Enoshima Station
- 48 minutes (2.6km) from Shonan-Enoshima Station
- 7 minutes (350m) from Okutsunomiya Jinja Shrine
- Chigogafuchi Rest House [稚児ヶ淵レストハウス] (On the way to Iwaya Caves)
- Iwaya Cave [江の島岩屋] (Tourist Spot)
Enoshima Iwaya Caves
Walking along the way between the rocks, there is a bridge followed to
Enoshima Iwaya Caves [岩屋].It takes more than 40-minutes walk from train stations in Katase town.
This Iwaya Caves was made by erosion by waves and it become ancient religious training place. Then, it was renovate for tourism and has been open to the public from 1993.
[Opening Hours]
- 9:00-16:00 (4:00 pm) in winter.
- 9:00-17:00 (5:00 pm) March to mid of October.
- 9:00-18:00 (6:00 pm) Weekend & holiday on end of April to September
- *Open everyday
- *In case of stormy weather or high waves, it may be closed or closed earlier than usual.
- *It is require to see whole the cave approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
When you pass the entrance, there is a descending staircase, and the passage
continues beyond.There are signs on both sides of the passage, depicting the history of islands and caves.
As you go through the passage, there is a pond in front, and you will arrive
at a place where the passage is divided in two directions.If you go to the left, you will go to the "First Cave" and if you go to the right, you can go to the "Second Cave".
[First Cave]
The "First Cave"has a length of 152m and is divided in two directions along the way.
There is a legend that the cave on the left is connected to Mt. Fuji, but it has not been open for the public. However, sometimes cold winds blow from the back of the cave.
On the other hand, the right cave is the original place where Enoshima Jinja Shrine enshrined in 552 and there is still a small shrine.
Stone statues of gods and Buddha placed along the way were made or donated by many monks who practiced spirit at this cave.
The "First Cave"has a length of 152m and is divided in two directions along the way.
There is a legend that the cave on the left is connected to Mt. Fuji, but it has not been open for the public. However, sometimes cold winds blow from the back of the cave.
On the other hand, the right cave is the original place where Enoshima Jinja Shrine enshrined in 552 and there is still a small shrine.
Stone statues of gods and Buddha placed along the way were made or donated by many monks who practiced spirit at this cave.
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From the First Cave to the Second Cave, it is connected with 128 meters
long open-air viewing corridor. You can enjoy the views of the coast, mountainside
and the birds lives there.
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[Second Cave]The "Second Cave" has 52m long and exhibit an island's old legend about the dragon god.
This "Second Cave" has small sideways in several places, but they are all connected to another parallel cave so you don't have to worry about getting lost.
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