You’ve heard of the cutesy Hello Kitty-themed station that’s emblazoned with cute motifs, and the otherworldly station lined with torii gates. Now, add Kamakura Kōkōmae Station onto your expanding list of train stations to make a pit stop at – it’s so scenic that it was even featured on Slam Dunk!
Situated in the city of Kamakura, a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture that’s just a little under an hour away from Tokyo, Kamakura Kokomae Station is a small seaside station that has made a name for itself thanks to its picturesque views.
Though seemingly a nondescript station located in a residential area, the station offers a panoramic view of the sea and the nearby Enoshima. On a clear day, visitors will be treated to an unobstructed view of the mountains of Oshima Island and the Izu Peninsula. And if you’re really lucky, you might even spot Mount Fuji.
The Enoden – a quaint local train that connects Fujisawa Station and Kamakura Station – runs every 12 minutes along the coastline, which makes this the perfect spot for railway enthusiasts to train-watch.
Just a stone’s throw away from the station lies a famous anime pilgrimage spot: a railway crossing that’s been featured in dramas, movies, and even anime series. Most notably, it was featured in the opening sequence of the cult classic anime Slam Dunk.
Image credit: @r_un_5296
Although the basketball anime was first aired in the early 1990s, its popularity has not waned over the years, and the area remains a hotspot, drawing domestic and international visitors who are hoping to recreate Sakuragi’s iconic scene where he gazes at the sea.
Image credit: hans-johnson
To get there, we recommend starting your journey at Ofuna Station and hopping onto the Shonan Monorail to Shonan Enoshima Station. The ride should take around 14 minutes.
After that, transfer to the Enoden Line, which can be boarded at Enoshima Station. A short four-minute ride will bring you straight to Kamakura Kokomae Station. In total, the whole journey will cost you ¥520 (~USD4.01).
Image credit: @fumirin999
Locating the Slam Dunk photo spot is easy – simply walk down the road that’s right outside the gantry and you’ll spot the railway crossing. Though it’s a tourist spot, the surrounding area is residential, so be mindful of your volume.
Address: 1-1 Koshigoe, Kamakura, 248-0033 Kanagawa
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
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Cover image adapted from (clockwise from left): hans-johnson, @r_un_5296 and Toei Animation
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