Enoshima, Enoshima Aquarium

Enoshima is a small island of volcanic origin in Sagami Bay, located only 6.5 km from Kamakura. In a small area of this picturesque island there are many attractions, interesting from the point of view of cultural and historical enrichment. Climbing the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse of Enoshima Island, you can enjoy an unusual panorama of sandy beaches of the neighboring city of Kamakura, which received the title of "Japanese Miami". To the top of the island of Eno Shima, we are raised by Japan’s first outdoor escalator. Next, visit the sanctuary of Enosima Jinja, which includes three small sanctuaries and two caves. Each of the three temples is dedicated to different mythological goddesses. And in the natural caves of the island of Eno Shima, you can see ancient images of the cult of the goddess Benten - one of the Seven Gods of Happiness, mistress of water, patroness of music and theatrical arts, and a five-headed dragon, with whom Benten happily married. Eno Shima Island is one of the most beautiful places in Kanagawa. This small island, located less than a kilometer from the coast, has a coastline of only 4 km, but the highest point reaches 61 m. Today it is connected by a road and pedestrian bridge to the coast of Sagami Bay, and once there was even the profession of a ferryman on Enosima, and the fee varied depending on the severity of the load.

According to temple legends, the first small idol in honor of the Dragon God appeared in 552 on the northern part of the island of Enosima, looking at the sea. This side of the island is rocky, precipitous, and at the water itself, in a sheer rock - a grotto, in which the Five-Headed Dragon - the patron of the island lives. However, in addition to the Dragon, other gods are honored on Enosim, even in ancient times, the god of the sea and the god of safety of navigation were worshipped here.

The Enoshima-jinja temple complex, consisting of three buildings standing in different parts of the island, was created gradually. So, one of the temples - Nakatsunomiya was built in 853, and only in 1182 by order of the shogun Minamoto Yoritomo was erected the main building - Hatsunomiya. There is a legend that Minamoto Yoritomo had a vision - the goddess Benten herself came to him and asked to build a temple in her honor on the island of Enosima.

Benten is a beloved and highly revered goddess in Japan. She patronizes women, protects family happiness, in addition, Bentan is considered the goddess of eloquence, as well as all types of musical and theater arts. The cult of Benten gained special popularity in the XVI century, when the goddess was listed among the Seven Gods of Happiness (Citifukujin). The temple on the island of Enosima is one of the three most important temples of the goddess Benten in Japan.

The dragon, fascinated by her beauty, married Bentan and she is believed to have given her consent. The entry of the Dragon into a marital relationship with the goddess Bentan led to the deification of the image of the Five-Headed Dragon, who began to be revered by the deity - the giver of moisture of the earth Sagami. This deity became known as Ryukomeijin, i.e., the "Bright Dragon Deity". One of the main places of worship of this deity in Kanagawa Prefecture is the Buddhist temple of Ryukoji, on the territory of which there is a small Shinto sanctuary - the receptacle of the soul of the Five-Headed Dragon. This temple is located on the coast near the island of Enosima. It is believed that the goddess Bentan and the Dragon Deity should always be close to each other.

The cult of the Dragon and Bentan still occupies a large place in the system of popular beliefs of Kanagawa Prefecture. Thus, the annual festival on Enosima becomes an event of prefectural significance. This is a special Great ceremony, which is held once a year, on the first day of the Snake in the new year according to the lunar calendar (the first day of the Snake falls in late March - early April according to the Gregorian calendar). This holiday reaches an unprecedented scale once in 60 years, when the first day of the Snake occurs in the first year of the new 60-year cycle. The last time this happened was in 2001, which was the first year of the Snake in the new 60-year cycle. The main event of this holiday was the solemn transfer of the unique wooden sculpture of the Five-Headed Dragon (gozu-no ryu) from the temple of Ryukoji to the temple of Enosima Jinja and the following “meeting” of two relics: the sculpture of the Dragon and the statue of the goddess Benten, and, therefore, the connection of the Dragon and Benten.

In principle, the connection of the spouses occurs every year on the first day of the Snake: from the temple of Ryukoji carry mikoshi - a closed palanquin, where the deity sits, but wooden sculpture is carried out only once every 60 years. In addition to the Five-Headed Dragon, the island of Enosima in Kanagawa Prefecture is revered by other Dragons, which is still mentioned in ancient legends and legends.

The Enoshima Aquarium is known for its marine zoo, where in addition to fish, seals, penguins, dolphins and other animals are contained. This aquarium, where a lot of educational and educational work is carried out, is supervised by the Ministry of Education of Japan. It is located 600 meters from the island. Entrance 2,200 yen per person.