Written by Aarohi Narain
Samurai legends, seaside traditions, and good ol’ festival fun — Enoshima isn’t just a summer destination. Catch the Shōnan Enoshima Spring Festival this March.
What happens?
Enoshima is one of our favorite day-trip destinations from Tokyo for its wholesome mix of Japanese shrines, intriguing caves, and picture-perfect beaches. And the Shōnan Enoshima Spring Festival is a great way to experience it all — plus some seriously impressive horseback archery.
One of the festival’s biggest draws is the Samurai Warrior Procession through Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street, portraying Minamoto no Yoritomo. This reenactment honors the legendary general’s pilgrimage to Enoshima Shrine.
Over on Katase Higashihama Beach, the action intensifies with the aforementioned yabusame. Riders, dressed in traditional hunting attire, gallop at full speed while expertly firing arrows at targets.
For something more introspective, witness the Shell Memorial Service at Enoshima Shrine. This ceremony expresses appreciation for the sea’s bounty and the role shellfish play in sustaining life. Participants offer prayers before releasing young shellfish into the sea.
Meanwhile, at Samuel Cocking Garden, catch performances by popular comedians, try your hand at ninja training or ukiyo-e printing, or test out traditional Japanese spinning tops. Iwaya Cave’s postcard station allows visitors to send a message and drop it in a designated mailbox within the cave, with postcards mailed out at a later date.
Local food trucks line the waterfront, serving up fresh-caught seafood — for which the Shōnan region is famed — and seasonal treats.
Schedule 2026
The Shōnan Enoshima Spring Festival takes place on March 14 and 15.
Day 1 begins at 10 a.m. with the Enoshima Warrior Procession along Benzaiten Nakamise Street. The procession departs from the bronze torii gate, arrives at the vermilion torii gate at 10:15 a.m., offers prayers at Enoshima Shrine Hetsumiya at 10:20 a.m., then returns downhill at 10:50 a.m., arriving back at the bronze torii gate around 11 a.m. Note that times may vary, and horses will not appear on Nakamise Street.
From noon to 2:45 p.m., Yabusame and a warrior procession take place at Katase Kaigan Higashihama.
On Sunday, March 15, events begin at 10:30 a.m. with the shellfish memorial service at Enoshima Shrine Hetsumiya, followed by a children’s procession along Benzaiten Nakamise Street and the release of young shellfish at Enoshima North Green Space.
At Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden Stage, Taiko Group “Fuji” performs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A comedy stage follows at the same venue with shows from noon and 3 p.m., each lasting around 30 minutes.
Across both days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., street performance experiences are held at Kamegaoka Square. Katase top and Oyama top experiences, ukiyo-e printing workshops, and ninja experiences take place at Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden during the same hours.
At Enoshima Cave, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can write and post a message at the Ryujin Cave postbox.
How to get there
Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Fujisawa Station, then transfer to the Odakyu Enoshima Line and get off at Katase-Enoshima Station. The festival venues are about a 10-minute walk from there.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
