Izu penninsula in late December

Is it advisable to visit Izu penninsula end December?

I am planning to visit Tokyo from 26 Dec to 1 Jan16 & will stay in Nozawa for 2nights before going to Tokyo.

In Tokyo I plan to go to nikko and Ito . Is it worth buying the JR East pass with this itinerary?

Thank you

Personally, the Izu Peninsula is nice any time of year. As such, I'd recommend it.

Personally, I'd not get the JR East Pass unless you are going to complete more travel than to Nikko and Ito.

Another cheaper options is the JR Kanto Pass:
http://japan-guide.com/e/e2361_06.html

The following information is best for Nikko:
http://japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html

Also note that the JR Kanto Pass will not be much cheaper than buying normal tickets to Ito from Tokyo.

There are a few ways of getting to Ito from Tokyo. They are:

(1) Catch the Odoriko from Tokyo to Ito (fastest way). This needs a booked seat (covered by Kanto Pass) and there are less trains on weekdays

(2) Catch the Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen to Atami and catch the local train to Ito (also relatively fast but the Shinkansen is not covered by Kanto Pass)

(3) Catch the local Tokaido line from Tokyo to Atami, then catch the local train to Ito. This is the cheapest method of getting to Ito. This is covered by the Kanto Pass. I do suggest paying the extra for a green seat (can be purchased on train or station platform) if you are carrying luggage during peak hour times.

Thanks very much for your info.

I will be travelling to Nagano as well to Nozawa Onsen. As such I will be using the JR East pass to Nozawa, Ito and Nikko. The JR East pass should be a good option. Is this correct?

Also, if I purchase the JR East pass I will be able to reserve my seat to Togarinozawa as I understand seats will be full during the Xmas season.

Within Ito and Nikko, with the JR East pass can I use the pass to hop from train and buses to visit the various attractions?

Oh ok - then it would be worth using the JR East Pass then. It's actually got a little more flexibility than the normal JR Pass as it allows you to catch the Tobu Nikko line along with catching the train all the way down to Shimoda (past Ito).

You can book seats in major train stations - basically the place you will swap your JR East voucher for your JR East Pass. Do note that you can only book seats at these major stations.

The fastest way to Togari Onsen is to catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama and then catch a local train to Togarinozawa Onsen. Note that the same bus leaves from both Iiyama and Togarinozawa Onsen.

The bus timetable is HERE:https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&...

I only know this as I'm staying at Togari Onsen in late June and will be walking at the Kosuge Shrine.

The local Tourism Bureau can be found HERE: http://www.iiyama-ouendan.net/en/

They do speak English and I've found them to be VERY helpful!

Also note that the JR Pass does not cover most buses.