EN04 ／ ENODEN STORIES
Pine shadows, the riverside and the slow pace of a villa district
Pine shadows, the riverside and the slow pace of a villa district
Kugenuma’s name is said to come from swans that once visited its wetlands. In modern times, the railway and the popularity of sea bathing helped it develop into a villa district, drawing writers and painters who left works inspired by the area. Enoden’s Kugenuma Station lies among homes near the Sakai River; it is separate from Odakyu’s Kugenuma-kaigan Station. Enjoy the quiet streets, then extend your walk to the river to discover the inland side of Shonan life.
This stop, walk like this · Suggested 60–100 minutes
This station offers residential streets, swan imagery and river views, rather than direct sea views. Kugenuma, Kugenuma-kaigan and Hon-Kugenuma are separate stations. Shorten the riverside section in rain, and select an entrance according to the station’s current accessibility notices.
Read the station artwork for local imagery connecting the character 鵠 with swans.
First, take a short walk along the riverbank near the station, enjoying the scenery of the railway and water surface forming a district landscape.
Turn back toward the residential street and go north to the café closer to Yanagikoji.
Continue riding from the adjacent station, completing a short cross-station walk.
This route involves a short visit to the Sakai River, then turning back toward the north, rather than proceeding along the river all the way to Yanagikoji; public roads are followed according to the map navigation, without using railway land.
THE STORY OF EN04
Kugenuma’s name is linked to a tradition of swans visiting its wetlands. In modern times, railway access and sea-bathing culture helped it develop as a villa district. This station lies among homes near the Sakai River, offering greenery, river views and everyday scenes on public bridges. It is separate from Odakyu’s Kugenuma-kaigan Station.
If you prefer the quiet of a residential neighborhood, take a walk connecting Kugenuma and Yanagikoji, then head to cotocoto coffee's pour-over shop. This shop is located closer to Yanagikoji, serving as a dining stop along a cross-station stroll; once you confirm the direction, a cup of coffee will naturally connect you to the riverbank and neighborhood scenery.
WALK A LITTLE FURTHER
Observe the streets retaining a residential scale and greenery, understanding the living landscape left behind by the development of seaside villa estates.
Kugenuma covers a fairly large area. The tourism association’s full cultural heritage route extends as far as Odakyu’s Kugenuma-kaigan Station. This itinerary covers only streets near Enoden’s Kugenuma Station. Do not treat the two stations as the same starting point or use the full heritage route’s duration to estimate a brief stop here.
Viewing a train passing through a neighborhood from public bridge and riverbank roads; choose a route based on on-site pedestrian pathways.
Use public roads near Kugenuma Station to find a river view where you can safely pause, then decide whether to turn back or visit a nearby shrine. The bridge approaches and riverside roads are still used by residents, and a continuous dedicated sidewalk is not guaranteed. Shorten the walk if you encounter narrow roads, construction barriers or poor weather.
The shrine beside the station inscribes the Shonan coastal culture at its entrance: a surfboard-shaped stone tablet bearing the shrine's name stands on a base shaped like waves, together with pine trees and torii gates forming a small and distinct neighborhood memory.
The Kanagawa Prefectural Association of Shinto Shrines lists the address as 3-10-19 Kugenuma Fujigaya, Fujisawa. Enter this address and Kaku Shrine (賀来神社) into your map, rather than another address in Kataseyama. For ofuda talismans or prayer services, the official page directs inquiries to Kodaijingu Shrine. Access to the grounds does not mean that shrine items and services are always available on site.
Kaku Shrine beside Kugenuma Station has a surfboard-shaped stone name marker at its entrance, set on a base carved into waves. The Fujisawa City Tourism Association’s guide highlights this Shonan detail and records that the shrine name is said to follow calligraphy by Katsu Kaishu. Stop briefly before or after a walk along the Sakai River: the marker, pines and torii offer a glimpse of local faith in this residential neighborhood.
Kugenuma, Kugenuma-kaigan and Hon-Kugenuma are separate stations in different locations. Check the restaurant’s address carefully.
Kugenuma is unstaffed. If using an IC card, tap the simple card reader when entering and again when exiting. Follow Enoden’s instructions for paper tickets: hand used tickets to train staff or put them in the used-ticket box. The station has toilets and an elevator. If you walk here from Yanagikoji before continuing south by train, use this stop to freshen up and organize your supplies. Wheelchair users can ask the conductor for boarding and alighting assistance.
TASTE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
On a walk linking Kugenuma and Yanagikoji stations, pause at this pour-over coffee shop in Kugenuma Fujigaya. It is closer to Yanagikoji, rather than at the entrance to Kugenuma Station.
The address is 1-6-20 Kugenuma Fujigaya. Official information places it about a 2-minute walk from Yanagikoji Station, rather than at Kugenuma Station’s entrance. Walk north from Kugenuma and make the café the endpoint of your walk between stations. Published closing times and closed days differ, so check the café’s Instagram for the day before making a detour.
Next stop, a different sea breeze.
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