Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Shichirigahama Beach The sun's down, but I'm not ready to go home yet
After sunset at Shichirigahama Beach, I spotted Mount Fuji's silhouette beyond Enoshima. With both hands tucked into my coat pockets, I watched the waves—and couldn't find a reason to leave.
Come watch a winter sunset with me.
WinterAfter sunset in late January
Just a little longer with Mount Fuji’s silhouette
Even after the sun had set, there was still a little light in the sky over Shichirigahama Beach. I stood on the sand with both hands tucked into my coat pockets. As I listened to the waves roll in and out, the thoughts I’d carried with me on the way here slowly began to fall away.
As I looked at Enoshima off to my left, I noticed the shape of a mountain farther to the right. Wait—is that Mount Fuji? The moment I spotted its silhouette floating across the sea, I was so happy I straightened up without thinking.
After that, I kept looking back and forth between Enoshima and Mount Fuji. Even when I told myself to focus on one, I couldn’t help glancing at the other. The views were far off, but I could hear the waves right beside me, and I wanted to stay as long as I could.
As the waves drew back, the wet sand caught a thin streak of light from the sky. Until then, I’d been watching the mountain’s silhouette; now I followed that narrow gleam with my eyes instead. Looking out into the distance was just as lovely as watching the beach at my feet, so I kept shifting my gaze between the two.
I flexed my fingers inside my pockets and thought maybe it was time to head home. But I was still facing the sea. I told myself, “Just a little longer,” and then the next wave caught my attention. I couldn’t quite bring myself to move.
I finally decided to leave after watching Mount Fuji’s silhouette fade into the sky. Before I turned around, I took one last look at Enoshima’s shape and listened to the waves, trying to hold on to both. I thought the day would end with sunset, but the view afterward was the hardest to leave.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialties
Boiled Shonan whitebait
Shonan whitebait from Sagami Bay is a local specialty. Fishermen handle every step, from landing the catch to processing and selling it directly. Apparently, the shipping standard for boiled whitebait calls for salt and nothing else. After looking out at the sea, I want to take a taste of the region home with me, too.
Highlights
A beach with views of Enoshima and Mount Fuji
Shichirigahama Beach sits on the coast of Sagami Bay, between Enoshima and Kamakura. Mount Fuji at dusk is another highlight. Each time I looked from Enoshima to Mount Fuji, I wished I could hold on to that view a little longer.
A sandy stretch to watch the waves
The beach stretches for about 2.9km. On a winter evening, I love watching the waves retreat as much as taking in the distant view. With both hands in my pockets, I followed the light reflected on the wet sand.
A sunset captured by Edo-era artists
I’ve heard that the dusk view of Mount Fuji from Shichirigahama Beach appears in works by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. I watched its silhouette after sunset. The thought that people long ago had paused to look out over this same sea made me want to linger even longer.
Getting there and the drive
Getting to Shichirigahama Beach
- By rail / on foot
- 2 minutes on foot from Shichirigahama Station
- Address
- 2-1 Shichirigahama-higashi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
From Shichirigahama Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway, it’s a 2-minute walk to the beach. The beach lies between Enoshima and Kamakura, and the coastal road is also featured as a classic Shonan drive route. Once I was standing by the sea, I found it hard to take even one step toward home.
Open Shichirigahama Beach on the map and have a look along the coast. Whenever I picture the view beyond Enoshima, I want to come back and hear the waves again.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
