In the Japanese language, peninsulas are referred to as 半島 or han-tō, which literally means “half-island.” And, when you look at a map, this makes sense—if sea levels were slightly higher, many would be completely cut off from the mainland.
To be sure, if you’ve ever explored any of them, you’ll know they often hide a plethora of treasures for potential visitors. They might not be as large as actual islands like Kyushu and Shikoku, though they’re still absolutely worth visiting.
Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll be giving you a run-down of the best peninsulas in Japan. Feel free to let me know in the comments which one you want to visit most!
Why Peninsulas Are Some of Japan’s Top Travel Destinations
In a moment, I’ll get into specifics, and help you litigate which best Japanese peninsula might be the best choice for you. For now, however, I want to explore some of the broader reasons that travelers love Japanese peninsulas. For one, many are easily accessible from major cities, including the Boso Peninsula from Tokyo, the Noto Peninsula from Kanazawa and the Kii Peninsula from Kyoto and Osaka.
The second reason? Peninsulas have a way of quickly revealing themselves to be distinct even from the mainland just a few miles away, kind of like this list that shows a range of online casinos as soon as you click it. Just as you can access (and assess) more than 100 casinos in a few seconds, driving (Spoiler alert: you do usually need to drive) onto a peninsula in Japan can almost instantly expose you to unique scenery and culture.
Japan’s Best Peninsulas
Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka
If you’re traveling along Japan’s “Golden Route”—Tokyo, Kyoto/Osaka, Hiroshima—the Izu Peninsula is one of the easiest peninsulas to access, via the Atami and Mishima Shinkansen stations. While you’ll need to rent a car or use local trains and buses beyond these points, the peninsula is replete with amazing scenery, including views of Mt. Fuji rising over the sea, and some of Japan’s best waterfalls.
Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa
Another amazing Japanese peninsula is the Noto Peninsula, which is located within day-trip distance of cities like Kanazawa and Toyama in the Hokuriku region. In addition to vibrant scenery (the Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces are probably my favorite example of this), Noto beef is a delicious culinary delicacy. Moreover, the interior of the peninsula looks like a Studio Ghibli film.
Boso Peninsula, Chiba
The Boso Peninsula—which comprises most of Chiba prefecture—is also very accessible. It’s right next to Tokyo, after all, and is where you find Narita Airport. Not that plane-spotting is your only option here. On the west coast of the peninsula, Mt. Nokogiri hides massive Buddha images carved into stone, whether you hike up or take the Nokogiriyama Ropeway.
Kii Peninsula, Wakayama
Another Japanese peninsula that’s worth visiting is the Kii Peninsula. The most famous destination here is probably Koyasan (aka Mt. Koya), a holy town where you can do a shukubo or temple stay. If you have several days and don’t mind working up a sweat, you can also hike along the Kumano Kodo, one of Japan’s most rewarding pilgrimage routes.
Oga Peninsula, Akita
Most travelers don’t make it to Akita at all, so if the Oga Peninsula is even on your radar, you deserve congratulations—it’s off the beaten path of a relatively un-beaten path. My favorite thing to do here is visit the Namahage Museum, which is dedicated to a terrifying mythical creature that originates here. You can even see a “performance” of these ghouls, which is not for the faint of heart.
Satsuma Peninsula, Kagoshima
To be sure, the Satsuma Peninsula would be in the running for best Japan peninsula, were it not for how remote it is—it’s a day trip from Kagoshima, the “last” city on Japan’s four main islands, with only hundreds of miles of sea (and Okinawa) beyond it. If you go here, you can enjoy an eclectic day, starting at Chiran Samurai street, burying yourself in sand on the beaches of Ibusuki and seeing Mt. Kaimondake rise over lush tea fields.
Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido
Last but not least is Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsula, which is in many ways the most remote peninsula in Japan. What I love about this peninsula is that you can see it both by road—i.e. by driving to the Shiretoko Five Lakes—or by boat, which allows you to look in on the peninsula from the Sea of Okhotsk, and get a sense of its true sizes and majesty. Shiretoko is most famous during the autumn, but is beautiful year-round.
The Best Way to Explore Japan’s Peninsulas
As I foreshadowed earlier, renting a car is in most cases the best way to get around on Japanese peninsulas. Most of these regions lack good public transport, with none being served by the Shinkansen, and some not having any trains at all. Having your own set of wheels also allows you to stop when you see a beautiful natural scene or an interesting cultural location, which is all but impossible if you’re on a bus with dozens of others.
To be sure, no matter which peninsula in Japan you choose, you’re likely (though not guaranteed) to go there for just a day from a larger city, or a rural prefecture with better infrastructure. Self-driving is simply the best way to make the most of this limited time. While you could technically hire a car and driver if cost is not an issue, I find this is ultimately not as freeing as being behind the wheel yourself (or making your spouse drive for you, ha!).
Other FAQ About Peninsulas in Japan
Is the Izu Peninsula worth it?
The Izu Peninsula is absolutely worth visiting! If you come in March, for example, the city of Kawazu is literally the origin of the Kawazu-zakura, a species of deep pink cherry blossom that bloom weeks before the standard somei yoshino. Throughout the rest of the year, you can also enjoy hot springs, waterfalls—and, on clear days, stunning views of Mt. Fuji.
Is the Kii Peninsula worth visiting?
The Kii Peninsula is one of the most rewarding peninsulas in Japan. Home not only to sacred Mt. Koya but also the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, it’s been a hot spot for spiritual travel literally for centuries. Plus, it’s home to Shira-ra-hama Beach, one of the best white sand beaches on the entire island of Honshu.
What is the most beautiful peninsula in Japan?
In terms of sheer natural beauty, the Izu Peninsula (in Shizuoka prefecture) and the Shiretoko Peninsula (in eastern Hokkaido) are Japan’s most beautiful peninsulas. The former offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji rising over the sea, while the latter is one of the best places in Japan to see early autumn colors.
The Bottom Line
Many of the best peninsulas in Japan are just as exciting as the country’s actual islands. Some are easily accessible, such as the Boso Peninsula, which comprises Chiba prefecture next to Tokyo. Others require more of a trek—the Oga Peninsula is a day trip from Akita, which itself is relatively far off Japan’s beaten path. Still others are destinations in and of themselves: Many travelers to Wakayama’s Kii Peninsula spend several days trekking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, never mind other places to visit there. Need personalized help deciding which Japanese peninsulas to visit? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
