I first visited the Izu Peninsula almost a decade ago, on a press trip organized by a large Japanese tourism company. The destinations they chose were questionable, but the place left an impression on me nonetheless.
Still, in spite of a couple return trips in subsequent years, it wasn’t until very recently that I decided I wanted to dig much deeper into the Izu-hanto. Specifically, around the time I became obsessed with recreating the Fujisan views of Katsushika Hokusai—or, perhaps more accurately, creating my own.
The good news? Even if you’re agnostic about Mt. Fuji, my Izu Peninsula itinerary will make you want to rush onto this oft-forgotten landmass as quickly as you can.
How to Get to (and Around) the Izu Peninsula
The first step of getting from Tokyo to Izu Peninsula is taking a Shinkansen, either to Atami or Mishima. Atami is a typical jumping-off point, whether you go by train or rental car (more on that in a moment!), though Mishima is closer to the west coast, which offers amazing Fujisan views—and especially in the morning, so I often prefer to start there instead.
At any rate, another reason many people get off the bullet train in Atami is because many local trains continue down the peninsula from there. However, I would recommend instead walking to a rental car office and picking up a vehicle. Trains only go to major cities, and while there are some local buses on the Izu Peninsula, your life will just be so much easier if you have your own set of wheels.
Things to Do on the Izu Peninsula
Get your bearings in Atami
Atami is an underrated city for many reasons, not least of all because its heyday was at least 40 years ago. However, beyond being home to a Shinkansen station and several rental car companies, it’s a pleasant place to visit, whether you catch rays at Atami Sun Beach, or ride the ropeway up to Atami Castle, which was featured in the original Gozdilla movie.
Chase waterfalls (and peep cherry blossoms) in Kawazu
Heading southward to begin your Izu Peninsula road trip, there are many places that you can stop. Among them, the Kawazu Seven Falls—which, as its name suggests is not just near the city of Kawazu (more on that place in a minute), but is home to seven waterfalls (although in my opinion, only a few of them are very worth seeing). You’ll also find the unique Kawazu Nandaru Loop Bridge, which is shaped like a corkscrew.
TIP: Among other things, Kawazu is famous for the Kawazu-zakura, an early-flowering cherry blossom species that was actually first bred here.
Hit the beach in Shimoda
The Izu Peninsula is home to some of the best beaches in Japan, with two in the city of Shimoda (Shirahama Beach and Kujuppama Beach) being among my very favorites in the country. Beyond the white sands and electric blue waters, these beaches offer a laid-back vibe that suggest a distance much farther away from Tokyo.
Discover Izu City’s wasabi
To the surprise of some, another of the most interesting things to do on the Izu Peninsula is to immerse yourself in wasabi. Not a vat of it, of course, but in everything else wasabi, whether you visit wasabi paddy, shop for fresh wasabi root or even eat soft ice cream flavored with it. In particular, I find that the area near the Ikadaba Terraces is really good for this, but your milage may vary.
Enjoy Fuji views from the west coast
I never pass up an opportunity to see Mt. Fuji, and the views from the west coast of the Izu Peninsula are so good that they literally inspired Hokusai. Do note that while I list this last, I actually prefer driving along the coast in the morning. Fuji’s likeliest to be unobstructed by clouds at this time, although if it’s still relatively clear in the afternoon, you could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime sunset.
Should You Stay Overnight on the Izu Peninsula?
If you set out early (and can commit to staying out late), you can see most of what I’ve listed here in a day. This is especially the case if you rent a car, which will allow you to cover way more ground than you’d be able to do using only public transportation. On the other hand, there are reasons to consider staying overnight on the Izu Peninsula—I’ll outline a couple of them below.
The first is that many Izu Peninsula hotels have on-site onsen, which leverage the volanic hot springs that run under the peninsula. I’m thinking primarily of higher-end properties like Taiseikan and Seizan Yamato, though some more budget-conscious hotels have these as well. A second scenario is if you really want to relax amid the beaches of Shimoda; in this case, seaside hotels like Shimoda Tokyu Hotel can be sensible.
Other FAQ About Visiting the Izu Peninsula
How many days to spend in Izu Peninsula?
For most people, the Izu Peninsula is a day trip from Tokyo (or, less frequently, from Nagoya). However, whether you want to explore more deeply or simply don’t want to have to travel all the way back to the city in the evening, there are advantages to sleeping a night (or longer!) on the Izu-hanto.
Is it worth visiting the Izu Peninsula?
The Izu Peninsula is absolutely worth visiting! Whether you peep kawazu-zakura on the east coast, hit the beach in Shimoda, chase waterfalls in the interior or enjoy Hokusai-level views of Mt. Fuji on the west coast, the Izu Peninsula is a stand-out destination in every way.
What is the best base for Izu Peninsula?
Most people start their journeys to the Izu Peninsula in either Atami or Mishima, two cities on either side of where the peninsula meets the mainland. However, I’m also a fan of basing myself in the beach city of Shimoda, while the east coast of the peninsula between Shimoda and Atami is home to my fabulous onsen hotels.
The Bottom Line
My Izu Peninsula itinerary will inspire you, whether you’re traveling to re-create the ukiyo-e of Hokusai, to admire kawazu-zakura blossoms in the birthplace or simply to hit the beach in Shimoda. From the moment you get off the train in Atami, the Izu-hanto is such to enchant you, particularly if you appreciate incredible views of Mt. Fuji rising over the sea—and especially if you rent a car, which is really the best way to see everything Izu has to offer. Want to take your Izu Peninsula trip to the next level, and to make sure it integrates perfectly into your broader trip to Japan? Consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary today!
