The Iwaya Caves is a small cave system on the westerly side of Enoshima Island. We were initially iffy about including the entry fee into this cave when we were picking up the Enoshima Island pass after arrival. But we decided to go for it since it’s unlikely we’d be coming back to this area anytime soon after this trip.
According to the guide notes: the Iwaya Caves were formed through centuries of tidal erosion. There are staff stationed at the first cave who will pass lit candles to you, but the cave is lit enough that you won’t stumble even if you don’t take the candle.
There are two caves, and both are fairly small and you can cover both in about 15 minutes. The second cave that’s at the furthermost end is also lit up as Winter Illumination, and it turns what would otherwise be an ordinary and small cave into something else: both surreal and serene at the same time. The first cave has two separate paths that are accessible at the same entrance, while the second cave is connected by a 128m long footbridge where you can get expansive views of Sagami Bay, with continuous waves crashing against the rocky shoreline.
We saw numerous Kites flying overhead us, and there are signs warning visitors that they might swoop down to grab food from you even!Making our way down Oiwaya Street. There are many restaurants and small eateries on both sides of the street, offering both western and Japanese cuisine.Enoshima Shrine. There weren’t many visitors at the past noon time we explored this part of the island, but we gradually saw more visitors as the day went on.Maing our way to the Dragon’s Love Bell.Ryuren no Kane, or Dragon’s Love Bell. According to the map guide, this bell was erected in 1996 and reflects the theme of ‘love’. Couples today come here to ring the bell as a sign of their eternal affection for each other.Finally arriving at the westerly coast, we spotted a very brave fellow in the far distance in the sea.On the walking bridge towards the first cave.Waves crashing against the rugged shoreline.Information boards about the birds that can be seen in the Iwaya Caves area.I had a hard time believing this info bit to be true!At Cave 1. The candles are really a novelty, since the stretch leading to the end of Cave 1 is pretty short: i.e. just a minute or two.Many photographic possibilities in this area.A colony of sea birds in the distance just chillin’.Facing the Philippine Sea.The walking bridge that connects Cave 1 to Cave 2.Cave 2 decorated with winter illumination lights. Lovely!Information board of the Iwaya Caves system.
One last post in this series covering our visit to Enoshima Island: Winter Illumination!
