I first visited the Izu Peninsula nearly a decade in the past, on a press journey organized by a big Japanese tourism firm. The locations they selected had been questionable, however the place left an impression on me nonetheless.
Nonetheless, despite a pair return journeys in subsequent years, it wasn’t till very lately that I made a decision I wished to dig a lot deeper into the Izu-hanto. Particularly, across the time I grew to become obsessive about recreating the Fujisan views of Katsushika Hokusai—or, maybe extra precisely, creating my very own.
The excellent news? Even for those who’re agnostic about Mt. Fuji, my Izu Peninsula itinerary will make you need to rush onto this oft-forgotten landmass as shortly as you’ll be able to.
Tips on how to Get to (and Round) the Izu Peninsula
Step one of getting from Tokyo to Izu Peninsula is taking a Shinkansen, both to Atami or Mishima. Atami is a typical jumping-off level, whether or not you go by prepare or rental automotive (extra on that in a second!), although Mishima is nearer to the west coast, which presents superb Fujisan views—and particularly within the morning, so I usually choose to start out there as an alternative.
At any fee, one more reason many individuals get off the bullet prepare in Atami is as a result of many native trains proceed down the peninsula from there. Nevertheless, I might suggest as an alternative strolling to a rental automotive workplace and choosing up a car. Trains solely go to main cities, and whereas there are some native buses on the Izu Peninsula, your life will simply be a lot simpler in case you have your individual set of wheels.
Issues to Do on the Izu Peninsula
Get your bearings in Atami
Atami is an underrated metropolis for a lot of causes, not least of all as a result of its heyday was a minimum of 40 years in the past. Nevertheless, past being residence to a Shinkansen station and a number of other rental automotive firms, it’s a nice place to go to, whether or not you catch rays at Atami Solar Seaside, or journey the ropeway as much as Atami Citadel, which was featured within the authentic Gozdilla film.
Chase waterfalls (and peep cherry blossoms) in Kawazu
Heading southward to start your Izu Peninsula street journey, there are lots of locations you could cease. Amongst them, the Kawazu Seven Falls—which, as its title suggests isn’t just close to town of Kawazu (extra on that place in a minute), however is residence to seven waterfalls (though in my view, only some of them are very value seeing). You’ll additionally discover the distinctive Kawazu Nandaru Loop Bridge, which is formed like a corkscrew.
TIP: Amongst different issues, Kawazu is legendary for the Kawazu-zakura, an early-flowering cherry blossom species that was truly first bred right here.
Hit the seashore in Shimoda
The Izu Peninsula is residence to among the finest seashores in Japan, with two within the metropolis of Shimoda (Shirahama Seaside and Kujuppama Seaside) being amongst my very favorites within the nation. Past the white sands and electrical blue waters, these seashores provide a laid-back vibe that counsel a distance a lot farther away from Tokyo.
Uncover Izu Metropolis’s wasabi
To the shock of some, one other of probably the most attention-grabbing issues to do on the Izu Peninsula is to immerse your self in wasabi. Not a vat of it, after all, however in all the things else wasabi, whether or not you go to wasabi paddy, store for recent wasabi root and even eat comfortable ice cream flavored with it. Specifically, I discover that the realm close to the Ikadaba Terraces is basically good for this, however your milage might range.
Take pleasure in Fuji views from the west coast
I by no means cross up a chance to see Mt. Fuji, and the views from the west coast of the Izu Peninsula are so good that they actually impressed Hokusai. Do notice that whereas I listing this final, I truly choose driving alongside the coast within the morning. Fuji’s likeliest to be unobstructed by clouds right now, though if it’s nonetheless comparatively clear within the afternoon, you might be in for a once-in-a-lifetime sundown.
Ought to You Keep In a single day on the Izu Peninsula?
If you happen to set out early (and might decide to staying out late), you’ll be able to see most of what I’ve listed right here in a day. That is particularly the case for those who hire a automotive, which is able to help you cowl far more floor than you’d be capable to do utilizing solely public transportation. Alternatively, there are causes to contemplate staying in a single day on the Izu Peninsula—I’ll define a few them under.
The primary is that many Izu Peninsula inns have on-site onsen, which leverage the volanic sizzling springs that run below the peninsula. I’m considering primarily of higher-end properties like Taiseikan and Seizan Yamato, although some extra budget-conscious inns have these as nicely. A second situation is for those who actually need to chill out amid the seashores of Shimoda; on this case, seaside inns like Shimoda Tokyu Lodge will be wise.
Different FAQ About Visiting the Izu Peninsula
What number of days to spend in Izu Peninsula?
For most individuals, the Izu Peninsula is a day journey from Tokyo (or, much less regularly, from Nagoya). Nevertheless, whether or not you need to discover extra deeply or just don’t need to should journey all the best way again to town within the night, there are benefits to sleeping an evening (or longer!) on the Izu-hanto.
Is it value visiting the Izu Peninsula?
The Izu Peninsula is totally value visiting! Whether or not you peep kawazu-zakura on the east coast, hit the seashore in Shimoda, chase waterfalls within the inside or take pleasure in Hokusai-level views of Mt. Fuji on the west coast, the Izu Peninsula is a stand-out vacation spot in each manner.
What’s the finest base for Izu Peninsula?
Most individuals begin their journeys to the Izu Peninsula in both Atami or Mishima, two cities on both facet of the place the peninsula meets the mainland. Nevertheless, I’m additionally a fan of basing myself within the seashore metropolis of Shimoda, whereas the east coast of the peninsula between Shimoda and Atami is residence to my fabulous onsen inns.
The Backside Line
My Izu Peninsula itinerary will encourage you, whether or not you’re touring to re-create the ukiyo-e of Hokusai, to admire kawazu-zakura blossoms within the birthplace or just to hit the seashore in Shimoda. From the second you get off the prepare in Atami, the Izu-hanto is such to enchant you, notably for those who admire unbelievable views of Mt. Fuji rising over the ocean—and particularly for those who hire a automotive, which is basically one of the simplest ways to see all the things Izu has to supply. Wish to take your Izu Peninsula journey to the subsequent stage, and to ensure it integrates completely into your broader journey to Japan? Contemplate commissioning a customized Japan itinerary as we speak!