The history and future of Enoshima Electric Railway
Enoshima Electric Railway is the sixth electric railway to open in Japan, and is a very historic railway that will celebrate its 120th anniversary on September 1, 2022. At the time, Japan had just won the Sino-Japanese War and was experiencing an unprecedented economic boom due to the development of industry, and it is said that there were plans to build railways all over the country (the first railway boom).
Under these circumstances, the Enoshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd. was established in 1900, but initially construction did not progress smoothly due to opposition from the rickshaw union and local residents. However, thanks to persistent persuasion and the provision of land by volunteers, construction was completed in 1902 (Meiji 35).
It opened on September 1st with a 3.42km operating section between Fujisawa and Katase.
The line, which connected Enoshima, a place where people would break their fast after making a pilgrimage to Mt. Oyama, with Fujisawa on the Tokaido Main Line, which had already been extended to Kobe, could be said to have been both a commuter line and a tourist line from the time it opened. From there, it was extended several times, and in 1910 the entire line (approximately 10 km) was opened to Komachi (near present-day Kamakura Station). When the entire line first opened, there were 39 stations on the 10.27 km line, more than double the number of stations there are today.
Furthermore, stations have since been relocated, merged, and renamed to meet the needs of tourists and beachgoers (the current Enoshima Station was renamed from Katase in the early Showa period). Currently, there are 15 stations along the 10.0 km line.
Where do you think the Enoshima Electric Railway starts?
When you think of the Enoshima Electric Railway, many people may imagine it as departing from Kamakura. However, if you look at the history of its opening, you can see that Fujisawa is its starting point. (That's why it's expressed as Fujisawa → Kamakura: Downbound, Kamakura → Fujisawa: Upbound.)
The Enoshima Electric Railway, which runs between Fujisawa and Kamakura, is a 10.0km stretch that includes some of Japan's most popular tourist spots, including Kamakura, its terminus, as well as Enoshima, Shichirigahama, Gokurakuji, and Hase, and is used by many tourists every year.
There are also many houses and schools along the line, and it is used as a daily route by local residents (the sight of the trains weaving between houses is already a distinctive feature of the Enoshima Electric Railway).
The Enoshima Electric Railway is popular both domestically and internationally, and before COVID-19 it had an annual ridership of approximately 20 million people.
We spoke with Yoichi Ariyoshi of the General Affairs Department at Enoshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd. about how the company plans to contribute to the development of the local community in the post-COVID era, following the difficult operations it has endured during the pandemic.
Q: Before COVID-19, this route was used by approximately 20 million passengers annually. I understand that the number of passengers has fallen by more than 50% due to COVID-19. To what extent has the number of passengers recovered due to the easing of restrictions on foreign visitors to Japan and the relaxation of travel restrictions for domestic tourists?
-This is a 20% increase compared to fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021.
This is a 30% decrease compared to the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Compared to the same period a year ago (January), the number has increased.
Q. What kind of infection prevention measures is Enoshima Electric Railway taking to ensure customers can use the trains safely?
The main implementation contents are as follows:
・ Thorough health management for all station staff and crew members, including wearing masks while working and taking their temperature before coming to work
・Disinfection of ticket machine screens and handrails at all stations, and disinfection of train and bus interiors
・Announcements calling for ventilation in crowded trains, and staff opening windows for ventilation
・Announcements to customers on our website, in stations, and on trains and buses
Q. The Enoshima Electric Railway has two distinct characteristics: a tourist line and a residential line, but it is expected that the number of tourists will increase after the COVID-19 pandemic. What measures do you think are necessary to maintain convenience for both tourists and local residents in the future?
We hope to continue to welcome as many customers as possible, taking all necessary safety measures and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Q. What role do you think the Enoshima Electric Railway should play in the further development of the Enoshima-Kamakura area?
We would like to work with you to build our role as a public transportation system and what the region should look like as the times change.
Q. Please say a few words about 2024!
The Enoshima Electric Railway, which stretches for a total of 10.0 km, has many historical attractions.
All of our staff look forward to welcoming you to the Shonan area.
Why not go and see the Enoshima Electric Railway, which has a retro atmosphere unique to Kanagawa?
Trivia: We asked the Enoshima Electric Railway!
Q. What were the 39 stations at the time of opening?
A. The 39 stations are as follows:
1. Fujisawa 2, Ishigami 3, Kawabukuro 4, Fujigaya 5, Kugenuma 6, Shinyashiki 7, Nishikata
8. Hamasuka 9. Yamamotobashi 10. Katase 11. Tatsunokuchi 12. Nakahara 13. Dobashi
14. Kobe Bridge 15. Yato 16. Manpukujishita 17. Koshigoe 18. Odegaura
19. Hizaka 20. Yazawa 21. Shichirigahama 22. Minenohara 23. Tanabe 24. Yukiai
25. Oiba 26. Ubagatani 27. Silent Bridge 28. Inamuragasaki 29. Sunakozaka
30. Gokurakuji Temple 31. Gongoro Shrine 32. Hase 33. Yuigahama 34. Kaigandori
35. Haranodai 36. Behind the school 37. Omachi 38. Storehouse 39. Komachi
The only four stations that have not changed in the 120-year history are Kugenuma, Inamuragasaki, Gokurakuji, and Hase.
Q. Please tell me about the history of the Enoshima Electric Railway!
A.The changes to the station from the time of opening to today are as follows:
39 stations at the time of full line opening
Early Taisho period: 40 stations
Early Showa period: 39 stations
1948 13 stations
1950 - 15 stations
The reason for the reduction in the number of stations is that the distances between stations (stops) are short and there are many of them, which has caused problems with regular service, and it is a rationalization measure due to a shortage of staff.
A. History leading up to the opening of the entire line
September 1, 1902: Fujisawa-Katase section opened
June 20, 1903: Katase-Yukiai section opened
July 17, 1903: Opening of the line between Gyoai and Oiba
April 1, 1904: Opening of the Oiba-Gokurakuji section
February 1907: Opening of the tunnel (the only tunnel) Total length: 209m
August 16, 1907: Opening of the Gokurakuji-Omachi section
November 4, 1910: Omachi-Komachi section opened (full line opened)
*The entire 10.27km line starting from Fujisawa has opened.
