Stand on the Kugenuma Beach sand at low tide and the whole sweep of Sagami Bay opens up in front of you, with Enoshima sitting on the horizon like a landmark you can walk toward. Fujisawa works best for travellers who want a coastal base rather than a checklist of monuments: surfers, families, and anyone content to spend a day moving between beaches and a small island.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around Fujisawa that are worth your time, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions. Most of what is here is outdoors, so plan around the weather rather than around opening hours.
Top things to do in Fujisawa
1. Enoshima
Enoshima is the surf island that sits administratively within Fujisawa City, and it is the single strongest reason to build a day here. It is a short train ride from the city, which makes it easy to combine with the mainland beaches on the same outing.
Give it the better part of a day rather than squeezing it in at the end, and pair it with Kugenuma Beach or Shichirigahama Beach if you want sand and sea views in the same trip.
2. Kugenuma Beach
Kugenuma Beach is one of the nearby beaches that make Fujisawa a coastal destination rather than just a stop on the way to Enoshima. It is a straightforward place to spend a few unhurried hours by the water.
Combine it with Enoshima, which is a short train ride away, so you can split your day between the island and the beach.
3. Shichirigahama Beach
Shichirigahama Beach is the other nearby stretch of coast named alongside Kugenuma Beach. Like Kugenuma, it is a beach to visit for the sea itself rather than for any built attraction.
If you are planning a beach day, treat Kugenuma Beach and Shichirigahama Beach as alternatives or as two halves of the same outing, then add Enoshima when you want a change of scene.
4. The August festival and kingyo sukui
Every year a festival is held in August, and it is the one dated event worth arranging a trip around. At it you can try kingyo sukui, the game in which you scoop goldfish with a paper scoop.
The festival's kingyo sukui is the largest in the world and is registered in the Guinness Book, so if you are in Fujisawa in August, this is the thing to plan your day around. Check locally for the exact dates before you travel, as the source does not specify them.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Kugenuma Beach, where the sand and the view across the bay give you an easy introduction to the coast.
Afternoon: Take the short train ride to Enoshima and spend the core of the day there, since it is the island that defines a visit to Fujisawa.
Evening: Finish at Shichirigahama Beach for a quieter stretch of coast before heading back.
If you are travelling in August, build the day around the festival and its kingyo sukui instead, and fit the beaches around it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Enoshima part of Fujisawa?
Yes. Enoshima is administratively a part of Fujisawa City, and it is just a short train ride away from the city.
What beaches are near Fujisawa?
Kugenuma Beach and Shichirigahama Beach are both nearby, along with Enoshima itself.
When is the festival held, and what can I do there?
The festival is held every year in August. There you can try kingyo sukui, scooping goldfish with a paper scoop, and the festival's version of the game is the largest in the world.
How much time should I give Enoshima?
It is worth treating as the main stop of a day rather than an add-on, and it pairs well with the nearby beaches if you want to fill a full day on the coast.
Decide whether you are travelling for the August festival or for the beaches, then start building your days around Enoshima and the coast.