Easiest
Yuigahama
The town beach
- Coast widthAbout 890 m
- From JR station15-minute walk
- Enoden stops5 minutes
Where things are
Kamakura beach guide: Yuigahama to Enoshima
In one line
The official swimming season on the Kamakura beaches runs from July 1 to August 31, and Yuigahama is the beach closest to Kamakura Station.
Where and when
44 places to see
Kamakura, Hase, Enoshima and the coast
Choose an area, then touch a pin or a name for a short note and directions.
The Odakyu station; the garden is about 20 minutes on foot from here.
Google MapsThe Sea Candle site gives about 25 minutes on foot from here.
Google MapsThe bronze torii stands just past the bridge, and the Benten-maru boat leaves from its foot.
Three shrines make up Enoshima Shrine, first built in 552; the Hoanden hall costs 200 yen for adults.
Google MapsJapan's first outdoor escalator, opened in 1959; a ticket for all sections costs 500 yen for adults.
Google MapsThe tower is 59.8 meters tall and costs 800 yen for adults; the Samuel Cocking Garden around it is free until 17:00.
The third of the three shrines that together form Enoshima Shrine.
Two caves, 152 meters and 56 meters deep, open 9:00 to 17:00 and 500 yen for adults.
A bright light over Enoshima is said to have saved the monk Nichiren here in 1271.
Built as the sailing venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, with around 1000 yachts moored.
JR Kamakura Station: the shrine is a 10-minute walk from its east exit.
Starts 2 minutes on foot from the east exit and runs to the shrine, with about 250 shops.
Google MapsA straight 2 km pathway from Yuigahama Beach to the shrine, modeled on Suzaku Oji in Kyoto.
The Genji Pond has three islands and the Heike Pond four; lotus blooms here in summer.
Shrine moved here by Yoritomo in 1180; the gate is open 6:00 to 20:00 all year.
Google MapsMuseum opened in 2019; open 10:00 to 16:30 and closed on Mondays.
Enoden stop; the Great Buddha is a 7-minute walk and Hasedera Temple a 5-minute walk.
The Great Buddha sits in the open air, a National Treasure about 11.3 meters tall.
Google MapsEleven-headed Kannon, 9.18 meters tall, with a sea-view platform on the upper ground.
Google MapsA spring where crowds wash money; a 20-minute walk from Kamakura Station.
Reached through dozens of red-bannered torii gates and a flight of stairs.
Enshrines the court noble Hino Toshimoto, who died in 1332; 25 minutes on foot from Jochiji.
Station for Engakuji, a 1-minute walk away, and for Jochiji.
Founded in 1282; open 8:30 to 16:30 from March to November, admission 500 yen for adults.
Built in 1281; open 9:00 to 16:30, admission 200 yen for adults.
About 2,500 hydrangeas draw visitors to the Kita-Kamakura temples in June.
Ranked first among the Kamakura Gozan; open 8:30 to 16:30, adults 500 yen, cash only.
About 240 steps up from the temple grounds, lined with tengu statues.
Bamboo garden open 9:00 to 16:00; admission 400 yen, matcha 600 yen.
Rock garden and matcha; open 9:00 to 16:30, adults 100 yen.
A shortcut entrance that climbs about 20 minutes to the Imaizumidai junction.
The highest point of the course at 159.2 m; its one toilet is about five minutes below.
The Tenen course ends at its gate; the stone garden is a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Slightly less crowded than Yuigahama, with a two-minute walk from the Zaimokuza bus stop.
A 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station and 5 minutes from Hase Station.
An Enoden station within 5 minutes on foot of Yuigahama, like Yuigahama and Hase stations.
A cape between Yuigahama and Shichirigahama, free to visit; about 30 minutes is enough.
Popular with surfers throughout the year and known for Mount Fuji views at sunset.
A coastal area that, like Yuigahama and Shichirigahama, draws large numbers of tourists.
Next station along; staff are on hand only from 9:00 to 18:00.
Unmanned station EN08 beside the railway crossing; no restrooms.
A three-minute walk from Koshigoe Station; the harbor shop sells fresh fish.
In 2026 open for swimming from July 1 to September 6; the Tenno-sai sea procession began here at 11:00.
In 2026 open from July 1 to September 13; the Enoshima fireworks were launched from here at 19:40.
Base map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Kamakura sits on a curve of Sagami Bay with sandy beaches a short walk from its stations. Here is which beach suits you, when you can swim, and where to watch the sun go down.
Editorial team, kamakuradaytrip.quest · Updated November 1, 2026 · A 6-minute read
Facts first
- SeasonThe official swimming season on Kamakura's beaches runs from July 1 to August 31.1
- ClosestYuigahama is a 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station.2
- QuieterZaimokuza tends to be slightly less crowded than Yuigahama.3
- SunsetShichirigahama is known for Mount Fuji views at sunset.4
- EnoshimaIn 2026 the Katase beaches by Enoshima opened for swimming on July 1.5,6
Kamakura's beaches, and the Enoshima ones
Kamakura is known for its temples, but the town also sits on the sea, and a Kamakura beach is never far from a station. Japan's national tourism office lists three beaches in the town itself, Yuigahama, Zaimokuza and Koshigoe.7 A few stops further along the Enoden line, at Enoshima, there are more stretches of sand run by Fujisawa city, and in between lies a coast road with another beach at Shichirigahama.
The swimming season is short. The official beach season on Kamakura's beaches runs from July 1 to August 31, and the tourism office describes it as just two months in summer.1,7 Outside those dates the beaches are for walking, surfing and sunsets.
In summer the beaches change. Beachside cafes, restaurants and bars open, beach huts and rental shops appear, and you can book surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, wakeboarding or sea-kayaking sessions.8 This page walks the coast from east to west, then covers the Enoshima beaches, the season and the practicalities of a beach day.
Beach by beach
Where to swim and how to get there
| Beach | Nearest stop | Swimming season | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuigahama | Wadazuka, Yuigahama or Hase | Jul 1 to Aug 31 | About 890 m of coast |
| Zaimokuza | Zaimokuza bus stop | Jul 1 to Aug 31 | Slightly less crowded |
| Koshigoe | Koshigoe Station | Jul 1 to Aug 31 | Harbor shop nearby |
| Katase Higashihama | Katase-Enoshima | Jul 1 to Sep 6 in 2026 | Tenno-sai procession |
| Katase Nishihama | Katase-Enoshima | Jul 1 to Sep 13 in 2026 | Fireworks launch site |
Kamakura dates are the official season, the Fujisawa dates are the 2026 dates; check the current year.1,5,6,10,2,18,3,19,20,21
Yuigahama, the beach by the station
Yuigahama Beach in Kamakura is the long town beach. It has been popular for swimming since the Meiji period, and close to Kamakura Station the coast is about 890 m wide.10 It is a 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, and 5 minutes on foot from the Enoden stations Wadazuka, Yuigahama and Hase.2
The beach is set up for a day out. It has public toilets and public showers, and in summer there are marine houses, monitoring stations and first aid stations.13 There is no car park at the beach itself, and visitors are asked to use nearby parking lots.14 The train is a simple way to come.
Yuigahama is also where the Kamakura fireworks festival is staged each July, with the fireworks launched from the Yuigahama coast.15 Behind the sand, Kamakura Seaside Park spreads across three districts facing Yuigahama and the cape of Inamuragasaki, and on sunny days it offers views of Izu Oshima and the Izu Peninsula, with Mount Fuji sometimes visible behind Enoshima in winter.16
Zaimokuza and Koshigoe
East of the main beach, Zaimokuza is the one to pick when Yuigahama feels busy. It tends to be slightly less crowded, and local schools offer paddle boarding, water-biking, wakeboarding, kayaking and fly-boarding.3 From Kamakura Station you take a Keikyu Bus and get off at Zaimokuza Bus Station, and the beach is a two-minute walk from there.18
Along the shore towards Zushi lies Wakaejima. The prefecture's Feel Shonan guide describes it as the oldest existing harbor construction site in the country, and at low tide people beachcomb for shells, hermit crabs and starfish, so it suits a slow walk in easy shoes.22
The third official beach is Koshigoe, at the western end near Enoshima. It is a three-minute walk from Koshigoe Station on the Enoden line, and the nearby harbor has a shop that sells freshly caught fish and shellfish, a good reason to come hungry.19 The three beaches share the same swimming hours: the sea is open as a swimming area from 9 am to 5 pm between July 1 and August 31.11
Decision helper
Which Kamakura beach should you pick?
Choose by what you want from the sea
If I want the easiest beach
Yuigahama
A 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station, with showers and toilets.2,13
If Quieter sand, please
Zaimokuza
It tends to be slightly less crowded than Yuigahama.3
If I want a Fuji sunset
Shichirigahama
Known for Mount Fuji views at sunset.4
If I want seafood after
Koshigoe
A harbor shop sells freshly caught fish nearby.19
If I want to swim near Enoshima
Katase beaches
Beaches compared
Yuigahama, Zaimokuza or Shichirigahama?
Inamuragasaki and Shichirigahama for sunsets
For sunsets, go west of Yuigahama. Inamuragasaki is a cape between Yuigahama and Shichirigahama and a famous scenic spot, free to visit, with about 30 minutes enough for a look.12 It sits on the Enoden line, so it is easy to add to a ride along the coast.
Shichirigahama Beach lies between Enoshima and Kamakura. It is popular with surfers throughout the year and is known for its views of Mount Fuji at sunset, and the sand lies a 2-minute walk from the station.4 The view is not new: the ukiyo-e artists Hokusai and Hiroshige both covered it in their Mount Fuji series.79
A good plan is to see both late in the afternoon after Yuigahama, ending with Shichirigahama at dusk. The Enoden rolls past the water on the way, and the train window itself is part of the view.
Cost calculator
Price a day on the Kamakura coast
Enter your group size to compare four days that include the coast.
Weigh up 4 choices
Price a day on the Kamakura coast
Enter your group size to compare four days that include the coast.
- Temples and EnoshimaFull day · a head, starting at $51
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View - Enoden and beach11 hours · a head, starting at $54
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View - Enoshima and coast10 hours · a head, starting at $57
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View - Seaside morning walk1 hour · a head, starting at $6
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View
Starting prices from GetYourGuide, converted at the ECB reference rate; the booking page shows the exact sum.
A beach day
From Yuigahama to the sunset
Morning
Ride the Enoden
The line links Kamakura and Fujisawa in 30 minutes.9
Mid-morning
Yuigahama walk
About 890 m of sand, 5 minutes from the Enoden stations.10,2
Noon
Beach cafe lunch
Summer cafes, huts and rental shops open on the sand.8
Afternoon
Swim before 17:00
The swimming area closes at 5 pm between July 1 and August 31.11
Late afternoon
Inamuragasaki
A cape between Yuigahama and Shichirigahama, about 30 minutes for a look.12
Sunset
Shichirigahama
Mount Fuji views at sunset, 2 minutes from the station.4
The Enoshima beaches at Katase
Enoshima beach really means the Fujisawa city beaches beside the island. Katase Higashihama East Beach and Katase Nishihama West and Kugenuma Beach both open for swimming in summer. In 2026 the east beach opened from July 1 to September 6, with swimming hours of 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 8:00 to 17:00 on weekends, holidays and the Obon period, August 8 to 16.5
The west beach was open from July 1 to September 13 in 2026, with the same swimming hours and beach houses open 8:00 to 21:00.6 Tsujido Beach, further along the Fujisawa coast, opened from July 18 to August 31.80 These are the dates for 2026 only, so look up the current year before you plan, because they change from year to year.
Fujisawa runs the beaches with a few extras. Free life jackets with transmitters for rapid rescue support can be rented at the Beach Office, and drinking alcohol and smoking on the sand are strictly prohibited outside designated areas.81,82 The sea procession of the Tenno-sai festival began at 11:00 on July 12 in 2026, when men carried portable shrines deep into the ocean.21 The Enoshima fireworks were launched at 19:40 from the west beach on August 2 and August 18, and are cancelled in rain with no postponement.20
Video
Summer trip to Kamakura and Enoshima
Sol Life on YouTube · YouTube stays silent until you press play.
Yuigahama Beach is a long-established beach that has been popular as a beach for swimming since the Meiji period.
Checklist
Packing for a Kamakura beach day
Wear and carry3
- Sun protection and a hat
- Water and a towel for the showers
- Shoes you can take off easily
Know the rules3
- Swim only while the swimming area is open
- Check the signs for alcohol and smoking limits
- Carry yen for beach huts and cafes
Swim, surf or just walk? Season and safety
Choose by season. During the swimming season the sea is zoned for swimming from 9 am to 5 pm, and surfing is prohibited then, although a body board without fins is allowed.11 Outside those hours the same beach looks quite different.
Weather is the other filter. The average daily high, read at the Yokosuka station 11.6 km away, is 25.3 °C in June, 29.1 °C in July, 30.3 °C in August and 27.1 °C in September.17,17,17,17 The chart below sets them side by side. July averages 7 days with at least 2.5 mm of rain, August 5 and September 8.17,17,17
In an emergency call 119 for an ambulance or the fire service and 110 for the police, both free and available 24 hours a day.83 The JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline, 050-3816-2787, also answers 24 hours a day.83 On Yuigahama, look for the monitoring and first aid stations that open in summer, and swim only inside the zones the beach sets out.
FAQ
Asked often, answered briefly.
When is the Kamakura beach swimming season?
Which Kamakura beach is closest to the station?
Yuigahama.
It is a 15-minute walk from Kamakura Station, or 5 minutes from the Enoden stations at Wadazuka, Yuigahama and Hase.2
How big is Yuigahama beach?
Which beach has the Fuji sunset?
Shichirigahama.
It is known for Mount Fuji views at sunset, and the station is 2 minutes from the sand.4
Can I surf at Kamakura in summer?
Not during swimming hours.
Surfing is prohibited in the swimming area from 9 am to 5 pm between July 1 and August 31.11
Is there a beach at Enoshima?
Can I drink alcohol on the beach?
Not on the Fujisawa beaches.
Drinking alcohol and smoking on the sand are prohibited outside designated areas.82
Sources
- Japan National Tourism Organization · Kamakura Beaches ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · Yuigahama Beach ↩
- Japan National Tourism Organization · Kamakura Beaches ↩
- Kanagawa Prefectural Tourism Association · Shichirigahama Beach ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Japan National Tourism Organization · Kamakura Beaches ↩
- Japan National Tourism Organization · Kamakura Beaches ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Access ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · Yuigahama Beach ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · The recommendation of how to spend summer in Kamakura by blogger living SHONAN ↩
- Kanagawa Prefectural Tourism Association · Inamuragasaki ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · Yuigahama Beach ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · Yuigahama Beach ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · The recommendation of how to spend summer in Kamakura by blogger living SHONAN ↩
- Kanagawa Prefectural Tourism Association · Kamakura Seaside Park Yuigahama Area ↩
- NOAA · Global Summary of the Month, Station Yokosuka (NOAA GHCN JAW00043323), 1991 to 2020 ↩
- Japan National Tourism Organization · Kamakura Beaches ↩
- Japan National Tourism Organization · Kamakura Beaches ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Kanagawa Prefecture · The recommendation of how to spend summer in Kamakura by blogger living SHONAN ↩
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · Access
- Visit KAMAKURA (Kamakura City Tourist Association) · Komachi Street
- Visit Kanagawa · Komachi Street
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · Learn
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · A Tour of the Shrine Grounds
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · Learn
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · Access
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · Museum
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu · Access
- Enoshima Electric Railway · FAQ | Train
- Kotoku-in · The Great Buddha and the Teachings of Kotoku-in
- Hasedera · Introduction
- Hasedera · Introduction
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Kuzuharaoka - Daibutsu (Great Buddha) Hiking Trail
- Enoshima Electric Railway · FAQ | Train
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Kuzuharaoka - Daibutsu (Great Buddha) Hiking Trail
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Kuzuharaoka - Daibutsu (Great Buddha) Hiking Trail
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Kuzuharaoka - Daibutsu (Great Buddha) Hiking Trail
- Engakuji · Visiting information and access (Japanese)
- Visit Kanagawa · Jochi-ji (Visit Kanagawa)
- Engakuji · About Engakuji (Japanese)
- Engakuji · Visiting information and access (Japanese)
- Engakuji · Visiting information and access (Japanese)
- Visit Kanagawa · Find Peace as You Observe Kamakura's Seasonal Temple Flowers
- Kenchoji · Kenchoji Temple (Visit Kanagawa)
- Kenchoji · Access and visiting information (Japanese)
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Ten-en Hiking Course
- Houkokuji Temple · About Houkokuji Temple (English)
- Houkokuji Temple · Guide (visiting information)
- Houkokuji Temple · About Houkokuji Temple (English)
- Visit Kanagawa · Jomyo-ji (Visit Kanagawa)
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Ten-en Hiking Course
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Ten-en Hiking Course
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Ten-en Hiking Course
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Ten-en Hiking Course
- Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoshima Sea Candle) · Enoshima Bali Sunset 2026 (news)
- Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle · Home
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Shrine
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Iwaya Cave, Ryuren no Kane and Benten-maru
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Shrine
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Shrine
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and Enoshima Sea Candle
- Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoshima Sea Candle) · Fees and tickets
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and Enoshima Sea Candle
- Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoshima Sea Candle) · Fees and tickets
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and Enoshima Sea Candle
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Iwaya Cave, Ryuren no Kane and Benten-maru
- Kanagawa Prefectural Tourism Association · Enoshima Iwaya Cavern
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Ryuko-ji Temple
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Yacht Harbor
- Visit KAMAKURA (Kamakura City Tourist Association) · Yuigahama Beach
- Kamakura City Tourist Association · Considering Kamakura's Environment
- Enoshima Electric Railway · FAQ | Train
- Enoshima Electric Railway · KAMAKURA-KOKO-MAE | Station information
- Enoshima Electric Railway · FAQ | Train
- Enoshima Electric Railway · Train
- Kanagawa Prefectural Tourism Association · Shichirigahama Beach ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Enoshima Miami Beach Show 2026! ↩
- Fujisawa City Tourist Association · Safety Information ↩