Izu Peninsula

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

The Izu Peninsula is a mountainous, volcanic promontory jutting south from eastern Shizuoka into the Pacific, ringed by dramatic coastline and dotted with celebrated hot springs. A UNESCO Global Geopark, it stretches from the resort town of Atami in the north to Cape Iro at its southern tip.

Izu bundles together onsen towns like Shuzenji and Ito, the historic port of Shimoda, the rugged Jogasaki cliffs, wasabi farms and early cherry blossoms, all within easy reach of Tokyo.

Few areas pack so much variety into a short trip: coastal hot springs, volcanic scenery, beaches, seafood and history, all a couple of hours from the capital. Izu has been Japan's classic seaside onsen escape for over a century.

Whether you want a cliff-top walk at Jogasaki, a bamboo-lined onsen stroll at Shuzenji, black-ship history at Shimoda or Japan's earliest cherry blossoms at Kawazu, the peninsula delivers.

Shuzenji Onsen with its temple and bamboo grove, the Jogasaki volcanic coast and Kadowaki suspension bridge, Shimoda's Perry history and Shirahama beach, and the pink Kawazu-zakura in February are the standout draws.

Atami's seaside resort, the wasabi farms of central Izu, Cape Iro's cliffs and the Izu Panorama Park ropeway with Fuji views complete an exceptional list.

Soak in the onsen at Atami, Ito, Shuzenji or Shimoda, walk the Jogasaki coastal trail, and cruise or dive the clear southern waters. Explore Shimoda's Perry Road and Ryosenji temple, and sample fresh seafood everywhere.

Seasonal draws include Kawazu cherry blossoms in February, wasabi-picking, the Izu Panorama Park cable car and beaches such as Shirahama and Yumigahama in summer.

Shuzenji temple and its onsen village, the Jogasaki Coast with Kadowaki lighthouse and suspension bridge, Shimoda's Ryosenji and Perry Road, and the Kawazu cherry-blossom avenue are essential. Cape Iro and Cape Tsumeki lighthouses mark the wild south.

Mount Omuro's grassy volcanic dome and the Izu Panorama Park summit, both reached by lift, offer panoramic peninsula and Fuji views.

The Nishi-Izu west coast, with its sunset views over Suruga Bay from Dogashima and its sea caves, is quieter than the east. The Kawazu Nanadaru seven waterfalls and their wasabi valleys reward walkers.

Inland, the retro onsen of Yugashima where writer Kawabata set The Izu Dancer, and the golden Koganezaki cliffs at dusk, remain refreshingly off the main tourist track.

Izu is steeped in onsen ryokan tradition, where kaiseki dinners, yukata robes and multi-generational bathhouses preserve a refined hospitality. Shuzenji temple, linked to the priest Kobo Daishi and the Kamakura shoguns, offers Zen calm.

Shimoda tells the story of Japan's 1854 opening to the West under Commodore Perry, and literary Izu inspired Kawabata's classic novella.

As a Global Geopark born of undersea volcanoes, Izu is a landscape of columnar-jointed cliffs, sea caves, hot springs and forested mountains. The Jogasaki and Dogashima coasts showcase its dramatic geology.

Hiking Mount Omuro or the Amagi range, diving off the southern reefs, walking the Kawazu waterfall trail and beaching at Shirahama give outdoor lovers year-round options.

Families enjoy the chairlift up grassy Mount Omuro, the beaches of Shimoda and Shirahama, and animal parks such as iZoo reptile zoo and the Izu Shaboten cactus and capybara park near Ito.

Glass-bottom boats at Dogashima, easy onsen towns and the Izu Panorama Park ropeway make the peninsula an easy, varied outing for children.

Izu is a relaxed onsen region rather than a party destination; evenings usually mean a leisurely ryokan dinner, a soak and a stroll in yukata. Atami is the liveliest, with bars, a nightly-lit seafront and summer fireworks.

The Kadowaki suspension bridge and lighthouse on the Jogasaki cliffs, the Kawazu cherry-blossom river in February and the Dogashima sea caves at sunset are prime shots. Mount Omuro's crater rim gives sweeping panoramas.

Koganezaki's golden cliffs at dusk, Cape Iro's lighthouse and Fuji framed from Izu Panorama Park round out a photographer's tour.

Izu was historically a place of exile in the Heian and Kamakura eras, and Minamoto no Yoritomo launched his rise to shogun from here. Shuzenji temple witnessed shogunal intrigue and murder.

In 1854 Shimoda became one of the first ports opened to American ships under the Treaty of Kanagawa, making Izu a birthplace of modern Japan's foreign relations.

Onsen ryokan hospitality, hot-spring bathing culture and fresh coastal cuisine define Izu life. Fishing villages, wasabi farming in mountain streams and the tradition of the Izu dancer travelling performers colour local identity.

Seasonal festivals, from Kawazu's cherry blossoms to Atami's fireworks and Shimoda's Black Ship Festival, mark the calendar.

Izu is a year-round destination. February brings the famous early Kawazu cherry blossoms, spring and autumn offer mild hiking weather, and summer means beaches and sea sports, though it is busy.

Winter is prime onsen season, with clear air, fewer crowds and good Fuji views from the west coast; the sea remains warm enough for early blossoms.

The peninsula enjoys a mild maritime climate, warmer than inland Japan, with hot humid summers, comfortable springs and autumns, and mild winters that rarely see snow at the coast. The southern tip is subtropical enough for early blooms.

The rainy season falls in June, and typhoons can affect the coast in late summer, so check forecasts then.

The Kawazu-zakura Festival in February draws crowds to the early pink blossoms, while Shimoda's Black Ship Festival in May commemorates Perry's arrival with parades. Atami stages seafront fireworks throughout the year.

Hot-spring towns hold summer festivals and autumn events, and Shuzenji lights up beautifully during its autumn maple season.

Over two days, base in an onsen town such as Shuzenji or Ito. Day one, walk the Jogasaki Coast, ride the Mount Omuro chairlift and soak in an onsen. Day two, head south to Shimoda for Perry history and a beach, or to Kawazu for blossoms in season.

Add a west-coast sunset at Dogashima if time allows.

A rushed taste of Izu is possible in a long day trip from Tokyo, but the peninsula rewards two to three days to combine onsen, coast and history without rushing. Overnighting in a ryokan is central to the experience.

Beach or diving holidays and slow onsen retreats can happily fill four or more days.

From Tokyo, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen or limited express reaches Atami in under an hour, where the Izukyu Line continues down the east coast to Ito, Kawazu and Shimoda. The Izu-Hakone Sunzu Line from Mishima serves Shuzenji.

By car, the Tomei and Izu-Jukan expressways provide access, useful for the roadless west coast and inland sights.

A car is easiest for exploring the whole peninsula, especially the west coast and mountainous interior, which have sparse public transport. The Izukyu railway and connecting buses cover the east coast towns and Shimoda well.

Buses link Shuzenji, Dogashima and the interior, but services can be infrequent; regional passes such as the Izu Dream Pass help.

Atami Station, served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, is the northern gateway. Izukyu-Shimoda Station is the southern railhead for the east coast, and Shuzenji Station on the Sunzu Line is the hub for central Izu.

Mishima Station on the Shinkansen connects to Shuzenji, and buses radiate from these stations to smaller towns.

Izu is an open landscape accessible at all times, though individual attractions, museums, ropeways and the Mount Omuro chairlift keep daytime hours, typically around 9am to 5pm. Onsen ryokan and public baths follow their own schedules.

Check each site's official page for seasonal hours, and note that the Kawazu blossoms are weather-dependent in February.

Exploring the coast, towns and beaches is largely free. Paid attractions vary: the Mount Omuro chairlift and Izu Panorama Park ropeway cost around 700 to 1,800 yen, temples a few hundred yen, and animal parks 1,000 to 2,700 yen.

Onsen day-bathing runs roughly 500 to 1,500 yen. Check individual official sites for current prices.

Seafood dominates: fresh sashimi, kinmedai splendid alfonsino, local sushi and grilled fish are found in every coastal town. Shuzenji and the interior offer wasabi dishes and soba, while Atami and Ito have lively restaurant streets.

Ryokan kaiseki dinners showcase the day's catch, and Dogashima and Numazu nearby are known for exceptional seafood.

Kinmedai, the prized red alfonsino, is Izu's signature fish, served as sashimi, simmered or in nigiri, especially around Shimoda and Inatori. Fresh wasabi grown in mountain streams accompanies sashimi and tops rice.

Dried fish, tokoroten seaweed jelly, Izu-grown citrus and seafood rice bowls are other regional treats to seek out.

Izu is ryokan country, with onsen inns of every class from historic Shuzenji and Ito establishments to seaside resorts at Atami and Shimoda. Private open-air baths and kaiseki dinners are common.

Budget guesthouses, pensions on the west coast and business hotels near stations offer alternatives; book well ahead for the Kawazu blossom season and summer beaches.

A day trip can be modest, but the onsen-ryokan experience is the point, so budget 15,000 to 40,000 yen per person for a night with dinner and breakfast at a mid-range inn. Transport from Tokyo adds a few thousand yen each way.

Self-catering guesthouses and day-trips keep costs down for budget travellers.

Coastal towns sell dried seafood, wasabi products, local citrus preserves and himono dried fish as edible souvenirs. Shuzenji has craft and sweet shops along its onsen lanes, and Atami offers seafront gift arcades.

Wasabi-flavoured snacks, Izu sake and shochu, and handmade crafts are popular takeaways from the interior farm areas.

Coastal trails such as Jogasaki have unguarded cliff edges, so keep back and watch children. The sea can have strong currents and jellyfish in late summer, so swim at patrolled beaches.

Being volcanically active, Izu occasionally sees earthquakes; follow local guidance. In onsen, hydrate and limit long hot soaks, especially after alcohol.

Coverage is mixed. Larger stations, the Izu Panorama Park ropeway and many newer facilities are barrier-free, and some ryokan offer accessible rooms and private baths. However, cliff trails, older inns and steep temple approaches can be challenging.

Contact accommodation and attractions in advance about step-free access, and note the mountainous terrain generally.

Major stations, Atami and Shimoda have some English signage and staff used to visitors, but smaller onsen towns and family ryokan may speak little English. A translation app helps with menus and check-in.

Learning onsen etiquette, wash before bathing, no swimwear, no towels in the water, and a few Japanese greetings, smooths the experience.

Rent a car to unlock the west coast and interior, and consider an Izu area rail-and-bus pass for the east. Book ryokan and February Kawazu-blossom trips well in advance.

Mix onsen, coast and history rather than rushing one loop, and check ferry, ropeway and chairlift schedules, which are weather-dependent.

Bring swimwear and reef shoes in summer, layers and a windproof jacket for cliff walks and winter onsen trips, and comfortable footwear for temple and coastal paths. A camera captures the scenery, and cash serves small shops and baths.

Sun protection, a small towel for day onsen, and motion-sickness remedies for winding roads are useful.

Respect Izu's Geopark landscapes by staying on marked coastal trails, taking litter home and not disturbing tide pools or geological formations. Use public transport or share cars where possible.

Support local fishers and wasabi farmers by eating regional produce, and follow onsen and shrine etiquette that sustains local traditions.

Within Izu, combine Shuzenji, Jogasaki, Shimoda, Kawazu, Atami, Dogashima and Cape Iro. Just off the peninsula lie Mishima with its Skywalk, Numazu port, Mount Fuji viewpoints and the hot-spring resort of Hakone.

The Izu Islands are reachable by ferry from Shimoda and Atami for those with extra time.

The Izu Peninsula Geopark and Shizuoka tourism websites cover the whole region, while town offices in Atami, Ito, Shuzenji and Shimoda provide detailed local information. Tourist information centres sit at the main stations.

Check these official sources for transport passes, ferry schedules, festival dates and seasonal conditions before you travel.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.