Enoshima hosts Shonan Candle through 3 November
Published on 10/21/2026 at 21:28 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSCandle programme and island setting
- Shonan Candle 2026 runs from 10 October to 3 November 2026 at Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle.
- More than 10,000 candles and live performances shape the programme, with Iwaya Cave also included.
- Samuel Cocking Garden traces its history to 1882, while Sea Candle rises 59.8 m above the island.
Enoshima hosts Shonan Candle 2026 from 10 October to 3 November 2026, with the island's Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle forming the main venues in Fujisawa, Japan. More than 10,000 candles are scheduled across the programme, which remains under way on 21 October.
Shonan Candle 2026 continues across Enoshima
The event is organised by the Shonan Fujisawa Vitalization Consortium. The official event programme lists Samuel Cocking Garden, Sea Candle and Iwaya Cave among the venues, with the main candle display continuing until 3 November 2026.
The programme includes special lighting at Sea Candle and a display of more than 200 candles inside Iwaya Cave. A slide show on 24 October has two listed sessions, while Shonan Candle Live is scheduled for 31 October, 1 November and 3 November. The official visitor notice says weather, strong winds or congestion can lead to changes, controlled entry or cancellation.
Samuel Cocking Garden gives the display its historic setting
Samuel Cocking Garden occupies the site of a Japanese and Western-style garden created by the British trader Samuel Cocking from 1882. Fujisawa's tourism authority records the former garden as covering more than 10,000 square metres and notes that it became Samuel Cocking Garden in 2003.
That history gives the 2026 programme a specific setting: the candles are not spread across an anonymous event ground, but arranged around a garden with paths, ponds, flower beds and surviving greenhouse remains. Sea Candle stands within the garden and was also renewed in 2003. The city tourism profile of the garden identifies its address as 2-3-28 Enoshima, Fujisawa.
The observation tower rises 59.8 metres to the top of its lightning conductor and has a glass observation floor and an outdoor deck. The Sea Candle landmark profile places both tower and garden at the same Fujisawa address.
Night programmes connect the garden and cave
For travellers, the event links several distinct parts of the island rather than concentrating every activity in one room. The garden carries the main candle field and stage programme, Sea Candle supplies the illuminated tower setting, and Iwaya Cave adds a candle installation in a sea cave.
The arrangement also creates different evening options within the same event period. A visitor arriving before the final weekend can find the main display and the listed 24 October slide show, while the closing run adds live performances on 31 October, 1 November and 3 November. A special programme at Enoshima Shrine is listed for 1 and 3 November.
Visiting Enoshima: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Shonan Candle 2026 runs from 10 October to 3 November 2026 at Samuel Cocking Garden, Sea Candle and Iwaya Cave on Enoshima.
- Entry to Samuel Cocking Garden is required for the main event. The official notice says weather or congestion may pause activities, limit entry or cancel parts of the programme.
- The island is in Fujisawa, Japan. Access information for the event lists Katase-Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line as a route to the garden.
- Sea Candle is inside Samuel Cocking Garden, while Iwaya Cave is a separate venue on the island. The programme therefore combines a garden, observation tower and cave visit.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Enoshima
When does Shonan Candle 2026 take place at Enoshima?
It runs from 10 October to 3 November 2026. The principal venues are Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle, with Iwaya Cave also included.
What can visitors see at Enoshima during Shonan Candle?
The programme includes more than 10,000 candles, special lighting at Sea Candle, a candle display in Iwaya Cave and live performances on 31 October, 1 November and 3 November.
Where is Enoshima and how do you get there?
Enoshima is in Fujisawa, Japan. The event information lists Katase-Enoshima Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line as an access point.
