Enoshima Iwaya Caves (Fujisawa)

 cave / caves, interesting place

The two caves (created by tidal waves) are connected by a pathway. One cave network contains religious object, historical photographs and an automated fire-breathing dragon. The token entrance fee includes quaint, candle lanterns carried to light up darker portions of the cave.
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On the south side bluff, there are two caves. To reach the caves, visitors have to go down the flight of 220 stone steps at the west end of the islet.
The first (west) cave is 13 meters wide at the entrance and pierce to the length of 45 meters. Roughly 100 meters ahead stands a statue of Priest Kukai and then the cave branches into two. The right-hand one, 39 meters long, is called Kongo (Diamond or Vajradhatu in Skt.) cave and the left one, 20 meters long, is Taizo (Womb or Garbhakosa in Skt.) cave, based on Shingon Sect's doctrines of Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana in Skt.). Being an amalgam of Buddhism and Shinto, the cave also houses Shinto deities: The trio goddesses are still enshrined in the innermost recess of the right-hand cave and Amaterasu Sun Goddess (see Shinto) in the left. However, the cave is filled with a number of stone-statues mostly associated with Shingon sect Buddhism, and there is no viewable object of worship for Shinto since it is not an idolatrous cult. The interior of the caves is dimly lit, too dark to make them out.

Local folklore goes on to say that the cave looks like women's vagina, particularly the far end of the Taizo cave. In 1971, the caves were temporarily closed after rocks at the entrance fell off, causing nine casualties. Twenty-two years later in April 1993, it was reopened. As early as summer 1995, the visitors topped one million. This cave, together with the nude Benten statue, appears to be the driving force to attract hordes of curious visitors.

The second (east) cave, which is linked to the first one, is dedicated to the dragon deity that has long been believed to be the guardian deity for fishermen. In the far end is the statue of a fierce-looking dragon, colored green. From time to time, the artificial sound of thunder surprises visitors.

Legend asserts that this dragon (some say it was a large serpent as long as 60 meters residing in the cave) deity came into view when Tokimasa Hojo (1138-1215), father-in-law of Yoritomo and the First Hojo Regent, visited here and prayed for the prosperity of his offspring. The dragon promised that Tokimasa's wishes be answered, leaving behind three scales, which are the origin of the Hojo crest, or Three Scales.

The caves are open from 9:00 to 17:00 year-round (9:00 to 16:00 from November through February). Admission: 500 yen.