旅Around Tokyo

Izu & Onsen

Izu 伊豆

A peninsula of rugged coast, onsen and early cherry blossoms

Prefecture
Shizuoka
From Tokyo
About 2–3 hours
Best time
February–March (Kawazu cherry blossoms), summer beaches

The Izu Peninsula stretches south from Atami into the Pacific. It offers volcanic coastline, beaches, quiet hot-spring towns and some of Japan's earliest cherry blossoms.

Highlights

Jogasaki Coast

Lava cliffs and a dramatic suspension bridge near Ito.

Shuzenji Onsen

A hot-spring town with a bamboo forest path and old temple.

Kawazu cherry blossoms

Pink early-blooming cherries along the river from early February.

Shimoda

Where Commodore Perry's Black Ships landed, with white-sand beaches.

Dogashima

Sea caves and rock formations on the west coast, best seen by boat.

Mt Omuro

A grassy dormant volcano you can circle by chairlift.

Getting there

  • Odoriko limited express from Tokyo to Ito (about 1 hour 45 minutes) or Shimoda (about 2.5–3 hours).
  • Shinkansen to Mishima, then the Izuhakone Railway to Shuzenji.
  • A rental car is the easiest way to explore the west coast.

Tips

  • Stay overnight — Izu is large, and day trips only scratch the surface.
  • Public transport on the west coast is sparse; plan bus times ahead.

What to eat