basic information

The Izu Peninsula (Izu Hanto) is a resort area about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, popular for its hot springs, beautiful coastlines, beaches, mild climate, scenic mountainous interior and views of Mount Fuji from its western coast.

The peninsula's eastern coast and the Shuzenji area are well connected with Tokyo by trains, while the less developed western coast and other areas are served by buses. Izu is also a great place to be explored by rental car, motorbike or bicyle.

On weekends and during holiday seasons, the Izu Peninsula can get quite busy, and traffic jams along the eastern coast are not unusual. However, during off-season weekdays, many parts of the peninsula can be very quiet.

Atami is a hot spring city with shinkansen station at the entrance to the Izu Peninsula. While the city is attractively located on the steep slopes along the ocean coast, it has obviously suffered from the economic downturn of the 1990s.

Ito is another hot spring city along the peninsula's eastern coast, only about 15 kilometers south of Atami. Inside Ito's municipal limits lies Izu Kogen, a pleasant resort town with more hot springs and the nearby scenic Jogasaki coast.

Further down the eastern coast, Kawazu is a town famous for its early blooming Kawazu cherry trees, which are usually in bloom as early as late February to mid March.

Shimoda near the peninsula's southern tip, was the landing place of Commodore Perry's "black ships" in 1854, an event which marked the end of Japan's era of isolation and the start of diplomatic relations between the US and Japan.

Shuzenji in central Izu is another famous hot spring resort with a pleasant and beautifully preserved resort town center. Shuzenji is named after a local temple.

Attractions

Atami City

MOA Museum of Art (8) Outstanding museum on Asian art.

Ito City

Jogasaki Coast (4) Scenic coastline with a suspension bridge. Izu Cactus Park (8) Botanical and zoological garden.

Izu City

Shuzenji (7) Attractive hot spring resort.

Nishiizu Town

Dogashima (5) Scenic coastline in western Izu.

Kawazu Town

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls (6) Seven waterfalls along a walking trail.

Shimoda City

Shirahama Beach (1) White sand beach. Perry Black Ships (10) Attractions related to Perry's arrival. Shimoda Park (2) Attractive, forested hilltop park.

Minamiizu Town

Irozaki Coast (2) Dramatic coastline in southern Izu.

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Orientation

Access and Orientation How to get to and around the Izu Peninsula. About transportation in Japan

Accommodation

Sponsored Listings:

Tsuribashi-so A Japanese inn with friendly staff in Kawazu, Izu. Famous for its private green tea bath and open-air hot spring. Ito Yamatokan A traditional onsen ryokan in Ito. All rooms en-suite with porch. Enjoy luxurious soak in cypress bath and rock bath. Shimoda Yamatokan Located on the oceanfront of beautiful Tatado beach. A resort ryokan with hot springs, seafood and splendid sceneries. Seizan Yamato A luxurious onsen ryokan with modern Japanese elegance Situated on top of a hill overlooking Ito town and the blue ocean. Village Izukogen All rooms are suites offering magnificent panoramic views with an ocean-view bath. Public open-air baths are also available. Suzuki Hotel Suzuki Hotel is located in Izu Shimoda and Ito, famous for its hot springs.

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Users who have been to Izu Peninsula: 38
Most visited: Ranked 33rd out of 84 destinations

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