For fans of the popular basketball anime Slam Dunk, the stunning Kamakura-koko-mae seaside train station holds an even deeper beauty.
Located on the Enoshima Electric Railway line, Kamakura-koko-mae station stands in the Koshigoe district of Kamakura. This city brings some of the most stunning seaside views you’ll ever lay eyes on, but there’s a special trivia about this town that may surprise some.
A Slam Dunk reference?
Published in 1990 by Takehiko Inoue, Slam Dunk is a manga (Japanese comic) that followed the story of a high school basketball team’s journey to championship success. The popular manga was adapted into an anime series and is now largely regarded as the greatest sports series of all time.
One of the most striking scenes in the show comes from the opening song where we see the main character Sakuragi Hanamichi standing at the railway crossing by the ocean. What many fans may not know is that this scene is based on a real location in Japan known as Kamakura.
Kamakura – Japan’s stunning seaside city
Most people know Kamakura for its big Buddha statue and beach-side shops. Tourists and locals gather here to enjoy the autumn leaves, soak up the sun, and indulge in the many ice cream outlets nearby.
The surrounding beaches are packed with swimmers, surfers, and joggers making the most of the sunshine and the clear sparkling water. Along the coast, you’ll find plenty of delicious ramen and rice bowl establishments that offer beautiful seaside views from inside the restaurants.
The most stunning train line in Japan
The Enoshima Electric Railway train line is certainly one of the most aesthetic in Japan, if not the world. Running along the coast of Kamakura beach, these vintage trains are recognizable by their classic green color scheme and simplistic design.
What really makes this train line special is the spectacular ocean view you get while on board. You can enjoy many different views of the sparkling ocean water and the mountainous islands in the distance as you make your way across the Fujisawa and Kamakura districts.
Kamakura-koko-mae train station
The 8th stop on the Enoshima Electric Railway line from Fujisawa station is none other than the infamous Kamakura-koko-mae station. This special location is precisely where many of Slam Dunk’s iconic scenes gained their inspiration, making it a tourist hotspot for fans of the franchise.
The famous railway crossing at Kamakura-koko-mae station is a dearly beloved photo spot as it represents the beginning of our main character Sakuragi Hanamichi’s journey. In fact, the entire Slam Dunk series has its setting based on regions of the Kanagawa prefecture.
So whether you’re a fan of the Slam Dunk series or not, Kamakura-koko-mae station beholds a beauty that can be appreciated by anyone. For a Slam Dunk fan, you’ll feel like a character from the show as you begin to recognize the real-life equivalents from the ocean to the railway crossing and even the train itself!
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