Izu Peninsula Itinerary

We are planning to do a self drive in Izu Peninsula this December. Planning to spend 4 nights there. We are driving there from Haneda Airport. Anyone has a sample itinerary or any suggestions? Thanks!

Izu peninsula is relatively a small area. 4 day is plenty of time for exploring the peninsula at leisure.
The following link gives you all you need to know about the peninsula:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6310.html

Most of the attractions are on the coast, so easy just to do a full circle around the outside of the peninsula. Either start at Atami and work your away around, or start a Mishimi. The east coastline has more sights.

If you are going by car and have 4 days, I would recommend going as far as the western coast (Dogashima), which is not "that" easy to access if you go by trains/buses (which we do). Maybe you can go around the whole peninsula, staying over in Ito or Izu-kogen, Shimoda, Dogashima, Shuzenji, or something like that.

The drive down the eastern side of Izu Peninsula from Atami to Shimoda will give you a chance to enjoy pretty views of the coast, offshore islands and quaint seaside towns.

Shimoda area:
Tsumekizaki Park has a narcissus festival in late December. Even if you arrive before then, there may already be many blooms. The park also boasts an indoor tropical botanical garden, a lighthouse and a walking course that shows off the coastline and its striking rock formations. This park is one of the best places to see why Izu is referred to by some as the Big Sur of Japan.

Stop by Perry Road and enjoy a stroll beside a lovely canal, past historic buildings and into the green hills of Shimoda City Park. Many camellia trees will be flowering in some parts of the park in December.

Shimoda Port is also a pretty place for a walk by the sea and the local fishing boats.

Take the ropeway from downtown Shimoda to the summit of Nesu Gata Mountain to see views from high above the city and out to sea.

The town of Rendaiji has a wonderful old hot spring named Kannaya where there's a vast mixed-gender bath built from wood that could accommodate a hundred people but which you'll end up sharing with, at most, a handful of others. There's also a separate women-only bath.

Shirahama Beach, Iritahama Beach and Tatadohama Beach are three of the nicest beaches in Japan and on many days have stunningly clear blue-green water.

Minami (South) Izu:
The farmer's market at Yu No Hana Michi No Eki has beautiful locally-grown veggies and fruits for sale. On many days in December they'll sell delicious baked sweet potatoes which you can eat while relaxing at the hot spring footbath or on the bank of the tree-lined river just outside. Several blocks from the market is Gin No Yu, an attractive, modern hot spring bathhouse.

A few minutes' drive away is Yumi Ga Hama, a long, pretty beach.

A drive along the coast of Minami Izu offers more beautiful views of ocean, mountains, fishing villages, sea cliffs and islands.

Nishi (West) Izu:
The town of Matsuzaki has several historic buildings, lanes and temples to explore. Inashimo Shrine, one of the most intriguing religious sites in the region, features an abundance of eccentric, playful wood carvings of anthropomorphic animals around the shrine and along a hiking trail into the mountain above it.