A short trip from Tokyo – Izu Peninsula
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5 top things to do in the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka – ocean caves, zen forests and naughty monkeys
Want to experience monkey-filled forests and ocean caves within a couple of hours of Tokyo?
The Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is a short trip from Tokyo, if you’re lucky! It’s within two and a half-hour drive of Tokyo usually, but on long weekends and holidays, expect five plus hours drive however.
1. Kawazu Seven Waterfalls
This area is zen serenity. There is an easy walk (stroller friendly) of approximately 1 kilometre along the waterfalls, through the dense forest.
The waterfalls range in size from 2 metres to 30 metres in height with beautifully carved statues along the way and the ever-present babbling river alongside.
Make sure you throw three pebbles to make a wish. It’s just 100 yen for the privilege. If your wish comes true, return within a year to give thanks.
An interactive activity is always great for kids during a sightseeing adventure.
Near the car park to the falls, you can find some cafes serving local dishes such as inoshishi nabe (wild boar hot pot) and raw wasabi.
Wasabi
Wasabi is usually served raw in Izu Peninsula in its root form for you to grate onto your meal. Shizouka Prefecture is said to be the birthplace of wasabi and has the largest area of wasabi cultivation in Japan.
Also, near the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls car park is a frog zoo called Kawa. Our kids decided they were too hungry to have a look, but it’s on our list for a return visit.
Trail hours: 8:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October to May)
Admission: Free
Address: Nashimoto, Kawazu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0501, Japan
Access:
- By car: There is a car park with toilet block near the entrance to the trails.
- By public transport: Hourly buses leave from Kawazu and Shuzenji Stations and stop at upper and lower end of the trail.
2. Dogashima Cave
Dogashima Cave (also called Tensodo) is on the Izu Peninsula’s less populated western side. The cave feels quite magical as it has its own natural skylight open to the sky.
There is a 20-minute boat tour (great for kids) to explore part of the coastline and enter the cave for a few moments. The driver exercises precision driving in entering the cave, then reversing, turning around and leaving again.
You can also see the cave on foot from above by walking to the top of the cave and looking down into the water below. There are also some lovely walking trails around the cliffs if you wish to soak in more views.
Hours: 8:30 – 4:30pm (last departure)
Admission: Adults 1200 yen, children 600 yen
Access:
- By car: There is a car park near the entrance to the boat jetty. There is also a shop there with ice cream, some snacks and bathrooms including baby change facilities.
3. Shirahama Beach
This beautiful sandy beach is 800 metres long and on the south-eastern side of the Izu Peninsula near Shimoda. It’s probably too cold to swim outside of summer without a wetsuit, but kids love playing in the sand and splashing about anyway.
For those little ones who get soaked or covered in sand, there are individual coin-operated, hot showers in the car park. Along the main road, you can also find shops and convenience stores selling beach gear such as buckets and spades.
There is also a small, pretty shrine on the rocks overlooking the beach for a moment of peace and reflection.
Address: Shirahama, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0012, Japan
Access:
- There is a car park in front of the beach. Pay the parking fee operator as you arrive. They will come to you.
- By public transport: It’s possible to take a 10 minute bus from Izukyu-Shimoda Station bound for Itadoichiki then get off at Shirahama Kaigan.
4. Perry Road canal, Shimoda
For a moment before driving into the area closest to the Perry Road canal, you feel like you’re somewhere in the United States with flags, restaurants and shops surrounding you oozing the Americana vibe.
This is because the first American consulate in Japan was opened here in 1856 and the harbour at Shimoda was specified as safe for American Vessels.
History of Perry Road
Perry Road Canal is named after Admiral Matthew Perry who played a leading role in opening Japan to the West in 1854 with the Convention of Kanagawa.
At the canal itself however, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time or into a historic movie scene. It’s so picturesque, with overhanging willow trees and bright red bridges, any photo is bound to look like a painting.
The canal itself is short, it only takes 10 minutes to walk from one side to the other, but it’s worth visiting.
There are gorgeous cafes and shops selling local handicrafts dotted along the canal. You can criss-cross your way along using the pretty little bridges over the water, which also make great photo spots.
This area also showcases some of Izu’s most famous architecture, Namako-kabe. It was named after the sea cucumber for its similar contours. This is the white diamond pattern appearing on many buildings in this area with the purpose of weather-proofing homes in the Edo period.
Stairs lead to the famous Ryosenji Temple where the US Government and the Tokugawa Shogunate signed the Treaty of Peace and Amity in 1854.
For little ones a little bored with all the history, there is a scenic ropeway nearby on Mount Nesugata which offers stunning views of the harbour and surrounding area.
5. Monkeys
The Izu Peninsula has a lot of forest and also a lot of monkeys! But beware, they are not your friends, they are wild and best viewed from afar.
If you’re lucky while driving through the mountains you may come across some monkey families which will be a delight. Just don’t get close and keep your windows up!
If you’re not lucky enough to spot them while driving around, and are still itching to see some, there is a monkey park! You can visit the monkeys at Hagachizaki Monkey Park down on the water which makes quite a beautiful scene. You can also feed them if you wish through bars and using tongs to keep you safe.
What is the Izu Peninsula?
The Izu Peninsula is part of Shizuoka Prefecture in the Chubu region of Japan. Its proximity to Tokyo makes it the perfect weekend getaway for Tokyoites.
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures and each is unique for its cities, terrain, culture and food. Usually, prefectures in Japanese end with ‘ken’, for example, Shizuoka-ken.
As Shizuoka-ken is a large prefecture with so much to see, this article focuses on the Izu Peninsula only.
What is the Izu Peninsula famous for?
The Izu Peninsula is famous for its spectacular coastline, which includes sharp, craggy cliffs and water caves contrasted with smooth, sandy beaches.
The inland has dense green forest with picturesque waterfalls and zen scenery. The forest is teeming with wildlife and it’s not unusual to come across monkeys and also wild boar on the roads. If you’re game, try the local signature dish, Inoshishi, a hearty wild boar hot pot.
Don’t forget to also try fresh wasabi, grated fresh from the root onto your meal.
Where to stay at the Izu Peninsula
The main city in the Izu Peninsula is of course called Izu. It could be a good base to stay and travel around the peninsula.
If you are looking for a beach vacation, consider staying right opposite Shirahama Beach at the Prince Hotel where every room has a beach view or the Shimoda Tokyu Hotel with a stunning outdoor pool.
If you are feeling intrepid and wish for sunrise and sunset views over the incredible western coastline, pick one of the oceanfront hotels near Dogashima.
Hotel New Ginsui offers Japanese-style rooms, huge onsen facilities complete with yukata for the whole family and games room. Our kids were even treated to a bag of treats and some origami crane ornaments when we departed.
How to get to the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula is about 100 km south-west of Tokyo. It’s within easy driving distance, approximately at 2 and a half hours. Unless it’s a holiday in Japan such as Golden Week (around end of April or start of May) or over a long weekend, then expect a 5 or more-hour drive.
If you’re driving and the kids are getting bored, ask them to count the tunnels you drive through. Trust us, it will keep them busy!
The Izu Peninsula is also accessible by public transport by taking the JT Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Atami (north-east of the Peninsula). This trip will take just 40-50 minutes. Or you can depart at Mishima if you plan to access the western side of the Peninsula. This trip is covered by the Japan Rail Pass but not any others.
Getting around the island is possible by train, bus, car or motorcycle.
For a more in-depth analysis of access, visit the Japan-Guide website.
Round-up of a short trip from Tokyo – 5 top things to do in the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula is a great escape from the vibrant streets of Tokyo. After a short Shinkansen or 100km, you are suddenly surrounded by mountainous lush forests, wasabi farms, incredible coastline and wildlife.
This area is great for everyone. There is something to suit all kinds of travellers, especially nature lovers and sea admirers. Even history buffs can get their fill here.
Watch our short trip from Tokyo – Izu Peninsula video
