The three shrines on the island, Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya, are collectively called Enoshima Shrine, and each shrine enshrines a guardian goddess.
It is one of the three major Benten shrines in Japan.
Until the Edo period (1603-1867), Benzaiten was enshrined and called Enoshima Benten and Enoshima Myojin.
In addition to traffic safety, bountiful fish, and good harvests, the goddess is believed to invite happiness and treasure, and to be a goddess of artistic improvement.
According to shrine legend, the shrine dates back to around 552, when a palace was built in a cave south of Enoshima Island by the order of Emperor Kinmei based on a divine decree.
According to the Shinto and Buddhist syncretism, the shrine became a temple called Konkameyama Yoganji Temple. According to Azuma Kagami (Azuma Kagami), in 1182, Bunkaku, by order of Minamoto no Yoritomo, invoked Benzaiten at an iwaya on the island, and this is said to be the origin of the temple.
The shrine was revered by successive shoguns and regents of the Kamakura Shogunate, as well as lords from generation to generation. During the Edo period (1603-1867), the worship of Benzaiten became popular, and many common people began to visit the shrine.
The shrine gate is a Ryugu-zukuri style gate, modeled after the Ryugu Palace.
8:30-17:00
20 minutes on foot from Odakyu Katase Enoshima Station