Thanks Jo, I knew they closed for inspection late last year I hadn't realised they hadn't reopened yet. I'll take a look and see if I can find a link to add into the post for other's planning a trip to check on progress.

Thanks very much Toni, really helpful. So we'll escalate up, and saunter down, taking in the Gardens one way or the other. Looks as if caves are currently closed due to rock falls.
Cheers, Jo

Hi Jo, there are only up escalators not down escalators on Enoshima Island. Going back down (and up if you want) are sloped paths that wind their way through and they aren't too steep. You'll pass the top of the escalators if you walk but you go much further so won't get to the top in a similar time and there are things to see on the way. On the seaward side of the island that goes to the caves you need to go up and down the stairs but you can choose whether or not to do that part. Enjoy your visit!

We've been a few times at different times of year, Enoshima and nearby Kamakura are great places to visit but I wouldn't recommend it to someone who was specifically looking to visit a 'Japanese cat island'. I've seen a couple of cats there but then I've seen a few cats, likely strays, in Tokyo parks, along the Philosophers Path, at various temples in Kyoto, and in pretty much every city and town we've visited in Japan.

I would enjoy Enoshima at that time of year, September is technically late summer but you are only looking at temperatures in the low to mid 20's (celcius) so warm enough but not hot. For me this is a great time to explore Enoshima as while there is beach there it also offers a lot more to see and do than just sunbathing and swimming so I could vary my plans to suit the weather on the day. A very different type of day though to a water park - good luck choosing, I'm sure you can have a good time at either.

Hi Jenn, The monorail wasn't particularly crowded and there were plenty of seats, much less busy than the morning train down from Tokyo. I can't believe I didn't think to try to get a photo from the front! Not like me at all. I recall there was a conductors compartment at each end with a door but I didn't think to try to see whether they would let me take a photo from there. There are big windows all the way along though with a great view of the streets and homes below so you will get some good views. There are a couple of trains with big front windows where you can ride in the very front in different places, we did one in Nagano in the snow which was fabulous and the one from Shinjuku to Odawara (Hakone) is like that too.