What Anime is Set in Enoshima? Tsurune & Slam Dunk Guide

So, you're typing "what anime is set in Enoshima?" into Google. I've been there. Maybe you just saw a stunning backdrop of an island with a famous bridge and a lighthouse in an anime and thought, "Wait, I know that place!" Or perhaps you're planning a trip to Japan and want to walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters. Whatever the reason, you've hit the jackpot with this search.

Let's cut straight to the chase. The anime most directly and famously set in Enoshima is Kyoto Animation's "Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudoubu" (often just called *Tsurune*). Its story, characters, and very soul are intertwined with the real-life locations of Fujisawa City and Enoshima Island in Kanagawa Prefecture. But—and this is a big but—the conversation doesn't end there. When people ask what anime is set in Enoshima, they're often also thinking of the colossal shadow cast by another series: "Slam Dunk." While not *set* there in the same narrative way, its iconic opening sequence cemented a specific railway crossing in nearby Kamakura (on the Enoshima Electric Railway Line) into the global anime hall of fame.

This guide isn't just a list. It's a deep dive. We'll explore why these shows chose this location, exactly where you can find the spots, what it's like to visit, and even tackle other anime that brushed against Enoshima's shores. By the end, you won't just know the answer to "what anime is set in Enoshima?"—you'll feel like you've already taken the trip.

Tsurune: The Anime That Calls Enoshima Home

If any anime has the right to claim Enoshima as its hometown, it's Tsurune. This isn't just a case of pretty background art. The location is a fundamental character in the story. The series follows Minato Narumiya, a high school boy who rediscovers his passion for kyudo (Japanese archery), grappling with personal pressure and the sound—the "tsurune"—of the bowstring.

The coastal wind, the specific quality of light, the relaxed yet persistent rhythm of life near the sea—all of this feeds directly into the anime's mood. Kyoto Animation, known for its meticulous background work, didn't just copy Enoshima; they captured its essence. When the characters ride their bikes along the shore, you can almost smell the salt air. When they look out from the school grounds, the view of the island and Sagami Bay is a constant, calming presence.

Key Tsurune Locations You Can Actually Visit

For fans asking "what anime is set in Enoshima?" with pilgrimage in mind, *Tsurune* is your blueprint. Here’s where you need to go:

Why did the creators choose this place? It wasn't random. The Enoshima area provides a perfect visual and thematic contrast: the disciplined, inward-focused art of kyudo against the vast, open, and unpredictable ocean. It's a metaphor made landscape.

The Slam Dunk Phenomenon: Enoshima's Accidental Fame

Now, let's address the elephant in the room. For a huge number of fans, especially internationally, the immediate mental image for "what anime is set in Enoshima?" is that iconic red-haired guy, Hanamichi Sakuragi, standing at a railway crossing with a brilliant blue sea and Enoshima in the background.

Here's the nuanced truth: Slam Dunk is not narratively set in Enoshima. The story takes place in a fictional Kanagawa Prefecture town. However, the anime's legendary opening sequence, set to the song "Kimi ga Suki da to Sakebitai" (I Want to Shout That I Like You), was filmed on location. The specific spot is the Kamakurakōkōmae crossing on the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) line, between Kamakura and Enoshima.

This single, minute-long piece of animation did more for Enoshima's tourism than any brochure ever could. The image of the green Enoden train passing by with the island in the distance is etched into the memory of an entire generation. So, while you won't see Shohoku High playing games on Enoshima, the location's association with the anime is undeniable and profoundly powerful. It's a masterclass in how a visual can become cultural shorthand.

Visiting the Slam Dunk Spot: What to Know

If you go, manage your expectations. It's an active, unprotected railway crossing in a regular neighborhood. There are no signs (last I checked), no official markers. You recognize it by the crowd of tourists with cameras. Be respectful of the locals, don't block the crossing, and wait for the train safely from the sidewalks. The magic is in seeing the real thing, but it's a very normal piece of infrastructure made extraordinary by art.

Beyond the Big Two: Other Anime with Enoshima Cameos

Once you start looking, you see Enoshima pop up in other places, usually because its silhouette is so distinctive. These aren't answers to "what anime is set in Enoshima?" in a primary sense, but fun easter eggs for location hunters.

Eureka Seven: In this sci-fi mecha series, Enoshima is briefly shown as a geographical landmark in a few episodes, its shape making it easily identifiable on maps or in wide shots of the Kanto region.

Various Slice-of-Life & Setting-Showcase Anime: Anime that pride themselves on realistic Japanese settings, like some scenes in K-On!! (which features other Kanagawa areas) or travel-themed shows, might include Enoshima as a recognizable day-trip destination for characters. It's part of the "visual library" of iconic Japanese coastal scenery.

The point is, Enoshima has a cinematic quality that makes it attractive to animators wanting to ground their stories in a real, beautiful, and recognizable Japan.

Planning Your Own Anime Pilgrimage to Enoshima

Okay, so you know what anime is set in Enoshima. Now, how do you actually go see it? Here’s a practical, no-fluff guide based on the reality of doing this trip.

How to Get There & Get Around

Enoshima is incredibly accessible from Tokyo. The most atmospheric way is to take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Fujisawa Station (about an hour from Shinjuku). From there, transfer to the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden). This charming, old-fashioned streetcar is an attraction in itself and will take you right to the action at Enoshima Station or along the coast to the Slam Dunk crossing (get off at Kamakurakōkōmae Station).

Alternatively, the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima Station is a faster, more direct option with great views.

A Sample One-Day Pilgrimage Itinerary

You can realistically hit the major spots in a day-trip from Tokyo if you start early.

Morning: Arrive at Fujisawa Station. Grab a coffee and maybe a *Tsurune* map if available from the tourist info. Take the Enoden to Hase Station (for the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a slight detour) or straight to Enoshima Station.

Late Morning: Cross the Benten Bridge onto Enoshima Island. Explore the streets, visit the Enoshima Shrine, and take the escalator (worth the fee!) up to the Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle. This is prime *Tsurune* territory. Look out over the bay and try to spot the coastline you saw in the anime.

Afternoon: Walk back across the bridge and have lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water. Then, take the Enoden two stops north to Kamakurakōkōmae Station. Walk to the famous Slam Dunk crossing. Spend some time there (patience is key for the perfect photo). Afterwards, you can walk along Shichirigahama Beach, another key visual area for both anime.

Evening: Head back to Enoshima Station area. If you have time and energy, the island is beautifully lit up at night. Then, take the Enoden back to Fujisawa and catch your train back to Tokyo.

Digging Deeper: Frequently Asked Questions

Let's tackle some of the specific, nitty-gritty questions that pop up around this topic. These are the things I wondered myself when I first started looking into what anime is set in Enoshima.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Backdrop

So, what anime is set in Enoshima? The direct, narrative answer is Tsurune. The cultural, iconic answer is inseparable from Slam Dunk. But the real answer is more profound.

Enoshima represents something special in anime: the use of a real location not as mere set dressing, but as a source of atmosphere, theme, and emotional texture. In *Tsurune*, it's a calming, constant presence that shapes the characters' lives. Through *Slam Dunk*, it became a symbol of youthful aspiration and nostalgia for millions.

Visiting these places bridges the gap between the screen and reality in a uniquely satisfying way. You're not just checking a box on a list. You're standing where the animators stood when they did their location scouting, seeing the light they tried to capture, feeling the wind they animated so carefully. It makes you appreciate the craft of anime on a whole new level.

My advice? Don't just go for the photo op. Go, walk slowly, breathe in the sea air, ride the Enoden without a strict schedule, and let yourself feel the atmosphere that inspired these beautiful stories. That's the real pilgrimage.

And who knows? Maybe you'll be the one to spot the next great anime set in Enoshima.