A Complete Guide To The Izu Peninsula
- Jan 10
- 8 min read
An expert travel guide to help you experience the Izu Peninsula
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Overview
The Izu Peninsula is a mountainous coastal region in Shizuoka prefecture, about 1 hour from Tokyo on the Shinkansen. It's known for charming hot springs, luxurious resorts, and an interesting maritime history. Thanks to the easy access from Tokyo, it's a popular destination for day trips or weekend escapes. Some of the most famous attractions on the Izu Peninsula include Mt. Omuro, the Kawazu Waterfalls, and swimming at Shirahama Beach, which are all located on the eastern side of the peninsula. Most visitors plan their trips around these attractions, and public transport can be used to access all of them. Renting a car is also a popular choice and means you'll have access to the less developed western side, plus gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji on the Izu Skyline toll road.
One aspect often overlooked is the historical significance of the Izu Peninsula. Two notable events occurred here within the last 400 years which had a significant impact on Japan's future:
In the year 1600, William Adams became the first Englishman to arrive in Japan. He established a valuable relationship with the Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who ordered Adams to build Japan's first Western-style sailing ships in the town of Ito.
In the year 1853, US Navy officer Matthew Perry arrived in Tokyo Bay with four black warships. He fired all 73 cannons as a display of power, and demanded that Japan open up to foreign trade after 150 years of isolation. One year later, he returned and docked his ships in Shimoda, established the first US consulate, and signed the Shimoda Treaty which began diplomatic relations with the US.
Table of Contents
Main Areas
The Best Things To Do In Izu
Visit Mt. Omuro
Hike The 7 Kawazu Waterfalls
Wander around Shuzenji Onsen
Onsen Resorts in Atami
Tea inside the old Tokaikan building
Views from the Shimoda Ropeway
FAQ
Location & Access
Photo Source: explore-izu.com
Access to Izu via public transport is quite easy, the best option is to take a Shinkansen to Atami and then catch local trains from there. The main areas for a sightseeing trip to Izu using public transport are:
- Atami City
- Ito City
- Kawazu Town
- Shimoda City
- Shuzenji Onsen
Between Atami and Shimoda, local trains run along the coastline, offering lovely views and nice scenery. If you're lucky, you'll be able to ride on one of the dedicated sightseeing trains, which have been designed with special seats and windows to help you enjoy the view. There are two trains in the lineup, collectively known as the Resort 21 series: the Kurofune Train, inspired by the historic “Black Ships,” and the Kinme Train, which celebrates the region’s famous deep-sea fish. They run once every 1-2 hours and their schedule often changes, so it can be hard to plan around. The train from Atami to Shimoda takes about 2 hours and stops at Ito and Kawazu along the way.
Tokyo Station to Atami
Time: ~ 45 minutes
Cost: ~ ¥3800
Weather & Seasons
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
The Izu Peninsula is worth visiting year-round, and looks different depending on the season. You'll find cherry blossoms in spring, colourful maple leaves in autumn, lush greenery in summer, and snow-covered mountains during the winter.
🌸 Cherry Blossoms
Late March to early April
🍁 Autumn Leaves
Mid-November to early December
☀️ Summer
June - August
Average daytime temp. 32°C
Ideal for swimming at Shirahama beach or enjoying the green landscape on Mt. Omuro
❄️ Winter
December - February
Snowfall: 1-2 times per month
The Mt. Omuro fire festival is held in February
The Main Areas
Atami
Atami is famous for having some of the best onsen resorts in Japan. The city experienced a massive boom in the 80s and has recently been gathering attention again for its idyllic scenery and luxurious accommodation. Many of the hotels are perched on the hillside, away from the city center, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere. Along with all the hotels, resorts, and restaurants, there's a really nice art gallery called the MOA.
Ito
Ito is a large hot spring town, best known as the site where William Adams built Japan’s first Western-style sailing ships in 1604. It's home to some charming ryokans and guesthouses, including the historical Tokaikan building - a beautiful old ryokan which has been turned into a museum and teahouse.
Kawazu
A small town that serves as the gateway to the Kawazu waterfall hike. There is not much here aside from the waterfalls, but it's a lovely spot for spending the night in a traditional ryokan surrounded by nature.
Shimoda
A small city known as the location where Matthew Perry arrived with his black warships in 1854. The most notable attraction is the Shimoda Ropeway that offers amazing views of the area.
Shuzenji Onsen
A gorgeous onsen town in the centre of the peninsula. It's famous for beautiful autumn leaves, traditional streets, and nice ryokans. It can only be accessed via bus or car.
The Best Things To Do On The Izu Peninsula
1.
Mt. Omuro
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Mt. Omuro is at the top of our list for the best things to do on the Izu Peninsula. This small conical volcano is covered in lush green grass during summer and provides gorgeous 360-degree views that include the coastline, the town of Ito, and the Amagi mountain range. A fun chairlift takes you to the top of the mountain, where you'll find a path that runs along the rim of the caldera.
Mt. Omuro
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Cost: ¥500
2.
The Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
Image Source: Sarah Winter
The Kawazu Seven Waterfalls hike is a trail that runs along the river, connecting seven beautiful waterfalls using boardwalks, wooden steps, and bridges. It's also famous for featuring an outdoor public hot spring where travellers can relax while enjoying the scenery. It's a 25-minute bus ride from Kawazu Station, and a nice place to spend a night in a traditional onsen ryokan.
The Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free
3.
Explore Shuzenji Onsen
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Shuzenji Onsen is a gorgeous hot spring town in the centre of the Izu Peninsula. It's famous for historically preserved streets, colourful autumn leaves, authentic ryokans, and the Shuzenji Temple. It's the perfect place to visit if you want the charming atmosphere of an onsen town without too much modern infrastructure. The ryokans here are really nice, and spending a night is the best option if you want to avoid the tourists that come during the day.
Shuzenji Onsen
Access: Bus or car
4.
Onsen Resorts in Atami
The Risonare. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
In many respects, this would be at the top of our list, but it comes in at number four because the price is a limiting factor for some people. If you're looking to splurge for one or two nights, then booking an onsen resort in Atami can offer an incredible experience, and the views on the hillside are breathtaking. My personal recommendation is the Risonare, but there are plenty of options if you're looking for something different. You'll usually find the best prices on Booking.com, linked below.
5.
The Preserved Tokaikan Museum
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
One of the most unique attractions in the town of Ito is the 100-year-old Tokaikan building. Originally built as a ryokan in 1926, it was eventually turned into a museum that showcases the beautiful architecture, plus some interesting artifacts relating to the history of Ito. The ground floor hosts a teahouse where you can drink some matcha while looking at the town's picturesque scenery. Once the night falls, the lanterns illuminate the building, creating an ambience that feels like stepping back in time. You can even experience what it must have been like to stay here, the adjacent property has been restored to accommodate overnight guests and offers a very unique experience.
The Tokaikan Museum
Hours: 9am - 8pm
Cost: ¥200
6.
Views From The Shimoda Ropeway
Shimoda is well-known for its maritime history. Notable attractions in the town include Ryosenji Temple, Shimoda Park, and a traditional street called Perry Road. The highlight of a visit here is the Shimoda Ropeway, which provides beautiful views of the area, an interesting shrine, and a lovely botanical garden.
Although, it's worth mentioning, there is one attraction in Shimoda we recommend avoiding... the black ship sightseeing cruise. Unfortunately, the boat they use is very old and shrouds customers in the toxic smell of diesel exhaust fumes. It was very unpleasant.
The Shimoda Ropeway
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm
Round-trip: ¥1500
7.
Shirahama Ohama Beach
Image source: kazenotami
The Shirahama (white beach) Ohama Beach is 700 meters long and is the largest beach in Izu. It's only a 15-minute bus ride from Shimoda, and becomes very popular during summer thanks to its white sand and clear waters. The peak season is from July to August when the lifeguards and shops are set up, weekends will be very crowded during this time. You can swim outside of this period, just be mindful of your own safety in the absence of lifeguards. Insider tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, check out the neighbouring Sotoura Beach.
The Shirahama Ohama Beach
Opening Hours: 24/7
Lifeguards: July - August
Cost: Free
FAQ
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Is it worth getting a tour guide for Izu?
The Izu Peninsula is a huge area filled with a rich history, amazing nature, and many hidden gems. If you want to take the burden out of planning, gain a deeper understanding of the various attractions, and maximise your time here, then a tour guide is the best option. Due to the size of the area, many tours offer transportation. Early bookings are essential if you're travelling during the cherry blossom or autumn leaf period.
How many days should you stay in Izu?
One of the best things about visiting Izu is the flexibility in terms of how much time you spend here. You could slowly chip away at the various attractions with day trips from Tokyo, but ideally you should spend a few days here, and would need at least 3 full days to see everything we've listed in this article. The best accommodation options are found in Atami, Ito, and Shuzenji Onsen.
Which area should you stay in?
This aspect is somewhat subjective and depends on your itinerary, travel plans, and personal preferences.
Atami has the widest range of luxury hotels and resorts, so you can often find the best value-for-money here.
Ito is the most convenient base if you have a car, so it's perfect for driving around.
Shuzenji offers the nicest scenery for autumn leaves and that charming onsen town vibe.
The Kawazu Falls offer unique ryokans for escaping the crowds and being immersed in nature.
How do you avoid the crowds?
Izu doesn't get a lot of foreign tourism compared to other well-known spots, so it's only crowded on weekends and public holidays.
When is the best time of year to visit?
This one is a bit subjective. Mt. Omuro looks the best during summer, Shuzenji looks the best at the end of November, and the most comfortable temperatures are during Spring and Autumn. Winter will be the quietest time to visit, and coincides with the burning of Mt. Omuro in February.
Is it worth it to drive & get a rental car?
It's totally worth it, but also not necessary. All the spots we've listed here are easily accessible via public transport, but having a car saves you time and gives you more freedom. I've compared the various car rental booking platforms and found Klook consistenly offer the best prices. If you do rent a car, Atami will offer the best rates and rental options.
