International Railroad Discussion > Shonan Monorail Departing Enoshima

I have wanted to photograph and ride a suspended monorail system for decades... and yet I almost missed this, my first chance. It wasn't until I was doing a final confirmation of my itinerary that I noticed I would not only be near this one, but that it was actually just as convenient a way back towards Tokyo as any other. Shōnan Monorail 5606 (5000 series) operating on the Shōnan Monorail Enoshima Line, departing Shōnan-Enoshima Station toward Ōfuna on October 14, 2025. The Enoshima Line is a 7.0 km suspended SAFEGE-type monorail opened in 1970, connecting Ōfuna and Shōnan-Enoshima with grades up to 10% and curves as tight as 60 meters radius. The 5000 series, introduced in 2004 and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, features aluminum alloy construction, VVVF inverter control, and operates in two-car formations under 1,500 V DC overhead supply. Charles Freericks 10/14/25

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Glad you got to ride the Shonan Monorail!

I caught the retro Class 10 Enoden (Enoshima Railway) while taking a quick break from documenting the roller coaster ride that's the Shonan Monorail. Rather than write a separate report, I think video response to your report is better.

I bought a day pass and rode back and forth. The segment between Ofuna and Shonan-Fukasawa seems to have the heavy ridership. That's between 1/3 to 1/2 of the route on the north end away from Enoshima and the coast. The ridership on the Enoshima end is noticeably lighter.

I got the monorail at Ofuna (first 2 clips), Enoshima (the tunnel shot), and Shonan-Fukasawa (rest of the clips) where I tried to show the steep grade.
 

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Great work as always, Charles!!!

Nice photos all and interesting operation.  You know, Charles - you could have ridden the suspended monorail closer to home at the Los Angeles County Fair (Pomona, CA, USA) up until 1996 :o)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81IdXQBSSBg

Rich