The beginning place of the history of Enoshima Island

Iwaya Caves is in the west end of Enoshima Island and where the beginning place of a legend as a religious training spot. Since En on Ozunu trained in Nara era, lot of famous Buddhist monks are trained in the cave and it has been worshiped as the holy land by occasional statesman.

Reef around the cave is known for locals as fishing spot and magnificent viewing spot of Mt.Fuji.

In 1047, the Buddhist monk Kokei chronicled the dark history of Enoshima island and the surrounding area of Koshigoe. Collectively know as the Enoshima Engi, the work recounts local folklore about the origin of the island. The writings assert the prehistoric village of Koshigoe was plagued for a thousand years by the gigantic five-headed dragon Gozuryu. Today, Koshigoe is written with different characters yet the original “child-death-overcome” Kanji combination was thought to have come from the dragon’s appetite for small children.
The Enoshima Engi claims the area of Koshige was once racked by violent storms and relentless earthquakes. When the madness finally came to an end and the clouds cleared, a heavenly maiden descended from the skies. Just before she touched the surface of the water south of Koshigoe, a mysterious island arose from the depths which would serve as her home. If legends are to be believed, this island is in fact Enoshima and the residence of its maiden, the goddess Benzaiten.

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