Fujisawa breaks tourist record: over 20 million visitors in 2022!

Fujisawa breaks tourist record: over 20 million visitors in 2022!

The city of Fujisawa in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, set a new record in 2022, recording over 20 million tourists for the first time. Loud sumikai.com The number of visitors was 20.4 million, which corresponds to an increase of around 4% compared to the previous year. Tourism spending reached an impressive 113.8 billion yen (around 667 million euros), setting a new record.

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

Transport connections and arrival

Getting to Enoshima Island is uncomplicated as it is easily accessible via three different train and monorail lines. The Enoden Line stops at Enoshima Station, while the Odakyu Railway stops at Katase Enoshima Station, near the aquarium. The Shonan Monorail ends at Shonan Enoshima Station, near Ryukoji Temple. From Tokyo, visitors can get to the island via the Odakyu Railway or Japan Railways.

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

Another attractive offer is the Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass, which includes unlimited travel between Fujisawa and Kamakura, as well as round-trip travel from Shinjuku, at a cost of 1640 yen. This is particularly beneficial for visitors who want to explore both Enoshima and Kamakura.

Challenges and future measures

At the same time, the city of Fujisawa is faced with infrastructural problems resulting from the high number of visitors. Overcrowded paths and traffic jams are putting increasing strain on residents. Mayor Tsuneo Suzuki announced measures to distribute tourism more evenly across the city. This includes the strategy of highlighting lesser-known places in Fujisawa to reduce pressure on popular attractions such as Enoshima.

Additionally, neighboring cities such as Kamakura have also benefited from the tourism boom, with visitor numbers increasing by 29% to approximately 15.94 million. This upward trend reflects the nationwide influx of tourists in Japan since the end of the pandemic. The combination of stable summer weather, an increase in coach tour groups and international guests has contributed to many returning to their travel plans.