Fujisawa breaks tourist record: over 20 million visitors 2022!

Fujisawa breaks tourist record: over 20 million visitors 2022!

Fujisawa, Japan - The city of Fujisawa in the Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, set a new record in 2022 and for the first time recorded over 20 million tourists. According to Sumikai.com , the number of visitors was 20.4 million, which corresponds to an increase of around 4 % compared to the previous year. The tourist expenditure achieved impressive 113.8 billion yen (around 667 million euros) and thus set a new maximum value.

The main attraction for tourists is the picturesque island of Enoshima, which is considered one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Tokyo region. This not only contributes to the high number of visitors, but also has an important geological and religious story because it was once an important pilgrimage. The popular attractions on Enoshima include the Katase Kaigan Higashihama-Strand, the Samuel Cocking Garden and the Enoshima-Iwaya Caves.

transport connection and arrival

The journey to the island of Enoshima is uncomplicated because it is easily accessible by three different rail and monorail lines. The Enoden line stops at the Enoshima station, while the Odakyu Railway stops at Katase Enoshima Station, near the aquarium. The Shonan Monorail ends at the Shonan Enoshima station, near the Ryukoji Temple. From Tokyo, visitors can get to the island with the Odakyu Railway or Japan Railways.

Visitors who travel with the Odakyu Railway from Shinjuku either use the Express or Rapid Express train to Fujisawa, followed by a switch to a local train to Katase Enoshima. The entire trip takes between 65 and 75 minutes and costs 650 yen. The direct train Romance Car is also available and takes 60 minutes for the route, but only one to two hours.

Another attractive offer is the Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass, which includes unlimited trips between Fujisawa and Kamakura as well as the return trip of Shinjuku at a price of 1640 yen. This is particularly advantageous for visitors who want to explore both Enoshima and Kamakura.

challenges and future measures

The city of Fujisawa is also faced with infrastructural problems that result from the high number of visitors. Overcrowded paths and traffic jams are an increasing burden for the residents. Mayor Tsuneo Suzuki announced measures to distribute tourism more evenly across the city. This includes the strategy of emphasizing less well -known places in Fujisawa to reduce the pressure on the popular attractions such as Enoshima.

In addition, neighboring cities like Kamakura also benefited from the tourism boom, with an increase in visitor numbers by 29 % to around 15.94 million. This upward trend reflects the nationwide influx of tourists in Japan, which has been recorded since the end of pandemic. The combination of stable summer weather, an increase in bus travel groups and international guests has contributed to the fact that many implement their travel plans again.