A pilgrimage way to original holy site of Enoshima

Oiwaya-michi way [御岩屋道] is a old pilgrimage way from Hetsunomiya main shrine to Iwaya Caves and it connecting all 3 Enoshima Jinja Shrines and original sanctuary area Iwaya Caves, east and west of Enoshima Island.
Many religious people and authorities of time occasionally came and crossed this way seeking enlightenment and protection of God.

Oiwayamichi way sightseeing guide

Where to go & What to do?

Take rest and try Japanese sweets at street side cafes that used traditional wooden Japanese house
Eat fresh local seafoods at street side restaurants

Especially recommended for... Friends / Couples

How far? (by walk)

15 minutes (670m) from Hetsunomiya to Okutsunomiya Shrine
7 minutes (375m) from Red torii gate to Yama-futatsu valley via shortcut way

Free Wi-Fi spot

Enoshima Daishi [江の島大師] (Tourist spot)
Enomaru [江のまる] (Cafe & Restaurant)
Nakamuraya [中村屋羊羹店] (Sweets shop /Yama-futatsu valley)
Kitasan Chaya [きたさん茶屋] (Restaurant /Yama-futatsu valley)
Yurantei [遊覧亭] (Restaurant /Yama-futatsu valley)

When you are in case of emergency situation here, please see the page.

The way to original and deep west of Enoshima

There is a way that continued to straight west while progressively downward. It called as "Oiwaya-michi" and is a original pilgrimage way to Iwaya Caves and Okutsunomiya Shrine the original shrine of Enoshima Jinja Shrines.

On the day that the sky is clear, the Mt.Fuji can be seen back of stairs.

If you walk a little, there is a round shaped roof building, which is two red Nio (Deva Kings) statue stands in front, on your left.
This is a Buddhist temple Koyasan Saifukuji branch temple a.k.a. Enoshima Daishi [江の島大師].

[Opening Hours] 8:30 - 18:00 (6:00 pm) , everyday
[Admission] Free

Go further ahead from the temple, there are some shops and cafe that used old traditional wooden houses.

In this area, there are several stone monuments stand aside of the way.

Right one is in order to help the islanders that drinking water was insufficient, it has been told that famous Buddhist monk Ippen dug a well.

During the night in August, the road is illuminated in the pale light of a number of lanterns.
If you're here in August, why do you miss this summer illumination event? You can experience the elegance of Japan deeply.

Yama-futatsu Valley

When you go on the way it bent a little to the right, your verge of visibility is spread suddenly, the way falls into the valley at steep angle.
Here is the valley called Yama-futatsu [山二つ], in which two mountains of east and west are in contact with.
This valley is also being for air passage, where the can be seen tree is bent by the wind.
Here is the only place that able to see the sea from this Oiwayamichi way.

There is some shops and restaurants around the valley.
Especially, Nakamuraya [中村屋羊羹店] Japanese sweets shop has more than 100 years history and originator of Nori-yokan (a sweet bean paste jerry with seaweed).
The shop uses traditional old wooden houses both sides of the way.

Shortcut way to Red Torii gate

An alley next to the sweets shop is a shortcut way to the end of Nakamise street at the front of Red Torii gate with less stairs.
If you go this way, it takes only 8 minutes (500m), compare with standard full of stairs way takes 15 minutes (700m).

Most of this way is covered with the trees, but you can see Mount Fuji and the seascape of northern part of the island in some places.

Go west furthermore

There is a stone pagoda near the valley.
It was built on the basis of the Koshin faith derived from the legacy was Taoism from China.

It is a rare thing that has carved a number of monkey cartoon-like on the surface.
Many of them has a action such as dancing, walking a tightrope and ride to the bar.

When it exceeds the valley, the way begin to climb again while turn left.
There are some seafood restaurants and cafe on your right.
After that, the way will be flat and straight. Okutusunomiya Shrine is near by.