Kamakura · KoshigoeNo.200★★Open in map →
Kamakurakokomae Railway Crossing
A level crossing on the Enoshima Electric Railway in Koshigoe, Kamakura, where the train passes against a wide view of Sagami Bay. The crossing became internationally known after appearing in the opening sequence of the 1990s anime Slam Dunk.
The No. 1 level crossing beside Kamakurakokomae Station sits where National Route 134 crosses the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) tracks. The Enoden is a narrow-gauge single-track line that has run through this coastal town since 1902, weaving between houses and roads so closely that the trains pass at arm's length. At this particular crossing, the tracks curve right toward the beach and the view opens onto Sagami Bay, with the Miura Peninsula in the distance — a composition that stops people even without knowing the anime connection. The 1993 manga and 1994 anime Slam Dunk used this crossing in its opening title sequence, a scene that became iconic for a generation of viewers across Asia. The theatrical film The First Slam Dunk (2022) renewed that recognition significantly. Kamakura City now deploys security personnel at the crossing on weekends and holidays and has posted multilingual manner signs asking visitors to use the footpath and avoid blocking the road.
Why it stays quiet
The crossing is documented by the city government, Wikipedia, and multiple travel authorities; it became a pilgrimage site following a globally distributed anime and its 2022 theatrical sequel, giving it a cultural angle that most scenic railway crossings do not have.
Background & history
The Enoshima Electric Railway opened its Kamakura–Fujisawa line in stages between 1902 and 1910, and Kamakurakokomae Station was part of that original network. The coastline along Route 134 has been a popular leisure destination since the early 20th century. The level crossing gained broader cultural significance when Takehiko Inoue's Slam Dunk manga began serialisation in 1990, and later when the opening sequence of its anime adaptation made this precise view widely recognisable. The crossing was registered as a Wikidata landmark following the 2022 film's release.
What to look for — in walking order
- The Enoden crossing itself
- the level crossing on Route 134 where trains pass with the bay view behind; the image made famous by Slam Dunk
- Sagami Bay panorama
- the open sea view visible from the crossing; clearest on days without ocean haze
- Kamakurakokomae Station
- a tiny single-platform Enoden station right beside the crossing, with the original 1902 line character still present
- Enoden train on the coastal road
- between this station and Shichirigahama, the Enoden runs directly alongside Route 134 with the sea to one side
How to enjoy it
The crossing is most photogenic with a train in the frame and the bay behind it; trains pass roughly every 12 minutes, so the wait is short. The viewing spot is the public footpath beside the crossing — stand on the footpath, not in the road. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekend afternoons. Combine with a ride along the Enoden coastal stretch between Kamakura and Fujisawa, which takes about 35 minutes end to end.
How to actually get there
- Shinjuku Station → Kamakura Station (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, ~55–60 min).
- Kamakura Station → Kamakurakokomae Station (Enoden, ~18 min, 7 stops).
- Exit the station; the level crossing is right beside the exit — stand on the footpath to watch the train pass with Sagami Bay behind it.
- Shinjuku Station → Kamakura Station → Enoden to Kamakurakokomae
- From Shinjuku Station, take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Kamakura Station (about 55–60 min, 1,040 yen; some trains require a transfer at Ofuna — check the platform display for trains bound for Zushi/Kurihama, which go direct). At Kamakura Station, board the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) toward Fujisawa and ride 7 stops to Kamakurakokomae Station (about 18 min, 260 yen; IC card accepted). The crossing is right next to the station exit.
- Enoden back to Kamakura Station, then JR to Shinjuku
- Take the Enoden back to Kamakura Station (about 18 min), then the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Shinjuku (about 55–60 min). Trains run frequently; no booking needed. If you want to continue to Enoshima, ride the Enoden in the other direction to Enoshima Station instead.
Before you go
- Cash
- JR fare from Shinjuku to Kamakura about 1,040 yen; Enoden fare 260 yen — both payable by IC card (Suica or PASMO). There is no admission charge at the crossing.
- Closing days
- The crossing is a public road intersection and is accessible at any time. Kamakura City deploys security staff on weekends and holidays; please use the footpath and follow their instructions. Standing in the road for photos blocks traffic and is against local guidance.
- Another way
- From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line direct to Kamakura (about 57 min, 1,040 yen), then the Enoden to Kamakurakokomae. The Odakyu Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass (from Shinjuku, 1,640 yen) covers the Enoden day pass and is worth it if you plan to ride the full line.
- After you get off
- Exit Kamakurakokomae Station and the crossing is immediately to your left, where the Enoden tracks cross Route 134.