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Enoshima Shrine - Hetsunomiya: Gateway to Spiritual Enoshima

Discover Enoshima's spiritual heart at Hetsunomiya Shrine, dedicated to seafaring and water deities, offering blessings of wealth and artistic success.

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Hetsunomiya is the first of three shrines that comprise Enoshima Shrine, a Shinto complex on Enoshima Island. Founded in 1206, it's dedicated to Tagitsu-hime-no-mikoto, goddess of water and seafaring, and offers a glimpse into the island's rich mythology and scenic beauty.

A brief summary to Enoshima Shrine - Hetsunomiya

  • Monday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 8:30 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Take the Enoshima Escar escalators to ease the climb up the island, especially during hot or humid weather.
  • Wash your coins at Zeniarai Byakuryu Ou for good luck and offer them in the donation box.
  • Visit Hoanden to see the statues of Myo-on Benten and Hachi-hi Benten.
  • Check the weather forecast for clear days to enjoy views of Mount Fuji from various points on Enoshima Island.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Enoshima Benten Bridge, walk along Benzaiten Nakamise-dori Street, a shopping street leading towards the Enoshima Shrine. Pass under the bronze torii gate and continue uphill. After passing through the red torii gate and Zuishinmon Gate, climb the stone steps to reach Hetsunomiya.

  • Public Transport

    From Fujisawa Station, take the Enoden Line to Enoshima Station or the Odakyu Line to Katase-Enoshima Station. Alternatively, take the Shonan Monorail to Shonan-Enoshima Station. Walk across Enoshima Benten Bridge to Enoshima Island. Follow the walking directions from the bridge.

  • Ferry

    Take the Bentenmaru ferry from Benten Bridge Pier to the Iwaya Caves area. From the Iwaya Caves area, walk to Hetsunomiya. The ferry costs ¥400 per adult.

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Discover more about Enoshima Shrine - Hetsunomiya

Enoshima Shrine Hetsunomiya, also known as Shimono-miya Shrine, greets visitors at the base of Enoshima Island, marking the entrance to a spiritual journey. Established in 1206 by Minamoto no Sanetomo, it enshrines Tagitsu-hime-no-mikoto, the goddess of water and seafaring. The current structure, renovated in 1976, showcases Gongen-zukuri architecture, adorned with the "Mukainami Mitsuuroko" crest. As part of the Enoshima Shrine complex, Hetsunomiya connects to Nakatsunomiya and Okutsunomiya, each dedicated to different deities. The shrine's history traces back to 552 AD when the first shrine was built in a cave on the island's south side. Hetsunomiya is also closely associated with Benzaiten, the goddess of music, wealth, and happiness, with a statue of Happi-Benzaiten donated in 1182. Visitors can explore several attractions within the grounds, including the Hoanden, which houses Myo-on Benten and Hachi-hi Benten, the Zeniarai Byakuryu Ou, where washing coins is believed to bring good fortune, and the Uchide no Kozuchi, a mallet said to grant wishes. Enoshima Shrine is one of Japan's three most famous shrines dedicated to Benzaiten.

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