Experience the wild edge of Japan. From the volcanic suspension bridges to the crystal sands of Shimoda.
A masterpiece formed by Mount Omuro's ancient eruption.
Walk 23 meters above the crashing Pacific on this famous suspension bridge. The jagged basalt cliffs beneath you were formed 4,000 years ago.
An extinct volcano shaped like an inverted rice bowl. Take the chairlift to the rim for a 360° view of Mt. Fuji and the Izu Islands.
Shimoda offers the clearest water in mainland Japan. White sand beaches like Shirahama feel more like Okinawa than Shizuoka.
Izu is a continent in miniature, divided by mountain spines and contrasting currents.
Defined by the Sagami Bay. Home to the Jogasaki basalt cliffs and the historic hot springs of Atami and Ito.
Where the Pacific is purest. Remote white sands, Cape Irozaki, and the historic black-ship port of Shimoda.
Rugged sea caves and Dogashima’s stone formations. Offers the most dramatic silhouettes of Mt. Fuji over Suruga Bay.
The Amagi mountain range. A mist-covered world of wasabi fields, high-altitude waterfalls, and bamboo forests.
Izu is one of the few places on earth where a massive volcanic landmass sits immediately adjacent to a 2.5-kilometer drop-off. This is **Suruga Bay**, the deepest trench in the Japanese archipelago.
Deep-sea currents hit the volcanic walls of the peninsula, forcing nutrient-rich cold water to the surface. This "upwelling" is what makes the Shimoda waters so transparent and the local fisheries so uniquely productive.
The West Coast, particularly Heda, is the only place in Japan where the world's largest arthropod—the **Japanese Spider Crab**—is harvested from depths of 500m+ and served fresh to travelers.
Protected by the Amagi mountains and warmed by the Kuroshio Current, Izu enjoys a sub-tropical microclimate that defies the mainland's seasonal logic.
February sees the Kawazu-zakura bloom—the earliest cherry blossoms in Honshu, turning the riverbanks pink while Tokyo remains in deep winter.
July and August transform the south into a Pacific paradise. High water clarity (visibility up to 20m) makes it the premier diving window.
*Observation: The interaction between the cold mountain springs of Amagi and the warm Pacific currents creates the ideal nutrient-rich ecosystem for Izu's legendary seafood.
Izu is governed by the Kuroshio Current. The peninsula remains significantly warmer than Tokyo, with a sub-tropical humidity that feeds its lush volcanic forests.
Mild Air.
Early Bloom Season.
Soft Mist.
Light Trench Coat.
Pacific Heat.
High UV Exposure.
Golden Light.
Coastal Layers.
The peninsula acts as a barrier for the warm **Kuroshio Current**. This keeps the ocean temperature stable, allowing for winter diving and ensuring the southern coast of Shimoda rarely sees frost, even when the Amagi peaks are dusted in snow.
As Pacific air hits the **Amagi Mountains**, it rises and cools, creating frequent mists and high rainfall in the central highlands. This specific humidity is the engine behind Izu’s world-class wasabi cultivation.
Izu is the birthplace of wasabi cultivation. Unlike the paste in tubes, real wasabi is grated on sharkskin and grown in the pure, spring-fed streams of Amagi.
Visit the Daio Wasabi Farm or the hidden fields of Joren Falls. Taste Wasabi Ice Cream a local specialty that is surprisingly sweet with a cold, sharp finish.
Traveler Tip
The "Early Bloom" Kawazu Cherry Blossoms open in February, a full month before Tokyo!
Izu is one of Japan's premier hot spring destinations. What makes it unique is the "Coastal Rotenburo" open-air baths carved directly into the seaside cliffs where the salt spray of the Pacific meets the mineral-rich volcanic heat.
The oldest onsen town on the peninsula, tucked in a bamboo forest with a river running through its heart.
Classic seaside resort vibes with spectacular fireworks displays over the water.
Perched on a cliff in Dogashima, this tiny bathhouse offers the best sunset view in Izu. It’s simple, rugged, and unforgettable.
Pure RelaxationFive technical anomalies that define the volcanic frontier.
Izu was originally a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific. Millions of years of tectonic movement forced it to "crash" into Honshu, creating the peninsula's unique mountain-sea topography.
The Amagi Highlands use the **Tatami-ishi** (stone bed) method. This 400-year-old engineering style uses volcanic gravel to filter mountain spring water, essential for high-grade wasabi.
In 1854, Commodore Perry’s fleet arrived in Shimoda, effectively ending 200 years of Japanese isolation. The South Coast remains a museum of international diplomacy.
The Jogasaki Coast features massive hexagonal pillars. These were formed when lava from Mt. Omuro hit the ocean and cooled in a perfect geometric "shrinkage" pattern.
Suruga Bay, bordering Izu, is Japan’s deepest bay (2,500m). This allows for the harvest of rare deep-sea species like the **Spider Crab** and **Kinmedai**.
A high-resolution tactical loop through the volcanic and oceanic sectors.
Document the Meiji-era onsen architecture and the 'Atami Castle' silhouette as the sun rises over Sagami Bay.
Cross the Kadosawaki Bridge. Observe the hexagonal cooling patterns in the cliffs formed by Mt. Omuro's 4,000-year-old flow.
Conclude at a coastal rotenburo. Witness the fishing lights (Isaribi) flickering on the horizon as the minerals restore the body.
Walk Perry Road. Map the limestone walls and the intersection of Japanese tradition and Western diplomatic history.
The most transparent waters in mainland Japan. Analyze the white sand composition, formed by crushed shells and volcanic quartz.
Stand at the lighthouse. Observe the violent collision of currents where the Suruga and Sagami Bays meet at the peninsula's tip.
Enter the central highlands. Document the 'Wasabi Ritual' at Joren Falls, where spring water filters through volcanic gravel beds.
Walk the bamboo groves of the oldest onsen town. This is the 'Kyoto of Izu', where thermal rivers dictate the urban layout.
End at the Tensodo Cave. Watch the sunset silhouette Mt. Fuji over Suruga Bay, a final tectonic masterpiece.
Technical data for traversing the volcanic rift from the Tokyo hub to the southern capes.
The primary rail link from Tokyo Station. This limited express train offers panoramic windows designed specifically for the East Coast basalt views. Arrival at **Atami** or **Shimoda**.
For rapid transit, utilize the **Tokaido Shinkansen** to Atami or Mishima stations. From these hubs, transfer to local Izu-Hakone lines to penetrate the peninsula's interior.
The coastal artery. Connects the eastern hot spring towns from Ito down to the Shimoda terminus.
Highly recommended for the West Coast. Rental cars allow access to the remote sea caves of Dogashima.
*Note: The central Amagi Pass is prone to heavy mist. Travelers using coastal buses should check seasonal schedules for 'Early Bloom' Kawazu ferry services.
Izu’s attraction cycle is dictated by the **Kuroshio Current** and volcanic soil. While the rest of Japan waits for April, Izu begins its cultural year in the deep winter, utilizing its unique microclimate to host Honshu's earliest spring rituals.
The **Kawazu-zakura Festival** is Izu's most famous draw. These cherry blossoms are deep pink and bloom a full month before Tokyo. Walking the Kawazu River is a technical requirement for any spring archive.
July to August draws divers and surfers to the South Coast. The visibility in Shimoda’s bays reaches peak clarity, often compared to the Okinawan archipelago.
A 700-year-old tradition where the entire grass-covered volcano is set ablaze to prepare for spring growth. A spectacular volcanic fire ritual visible from across the East Coast.
Shimoda’s primary heritage event. Re-enactments of Commodore Perry’s arrival, featuring international parades and maritime fireworks.
The Atami bay acts as a natural acoustic amphitheater. Fireworks are held year-round, but the August displays are the most technically profound.
"We are currently mapping the hidden sea caves of Dogashima and the secret surf breaks of the South Coast to build the most adventurous coastal guide for 2026."
The sea is calling. The guide arrives soon. Stay with us.
A Note to our Guests
The Izu Peninsula is where we go to breathe. Thank you for respecting the wildness of our shores.
— The Izu Travel Team