Hi everyone! My name is Minami and I work for the JR East Odawara-Izu General Management Center, together with team members Honma-san and Ishida-san. Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島) is full of history and yummy food and desserts, perfect for not just couples and families, but also for solo trippers! No matter the season, there is always something to look forward to in Izu.
In this season of love, I thought I should share five of my personal recommendations in the beautiful area of Izu during the winter months. Without further ado, let’s go!
1. Mount Komuro: A small volcano with views of Mount Fuji!
At an elevation of 321m, Mount Komuro (小室山 Komuroyama) is a small, extinct volcano in Ito (伊東市). Take a chairlift to the summit and walk along the MISORA boardwalk, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, Izu Oshima, and Sagami Bay.
Not to be confused with Mount Omuro, the other popular dormant volcano just 20 minutes away by car, Mount Komuro is surrounded by greenery, an azalea garden, and two recently renovated food facilities.
At the summit, there is the Café・321 (named after the height of Komuroyama) where you can enjoy small bites and drinks, and at the base, there is Kitchen 218, a pet-friendly eatery where you can enjoy meals. One drink that I recommend people to get at Café・321 is the 地層カフェラテ (Chiso Cafe Latte)ーsuper Instagrammable, and looks great against the sapphire-blue backdrop at the cafe’s observation deck.
Mount Komuro (小室山)
Address: 1428 Kawana, Itō, Shizuoka 414-0044
Access: 5-minute taxi ride from Kawana Station (川奈駅) on the Izu Kyūkō Line, or 15-minute taxi ride from Ito Station (伊東駅)
2. Tokaikan: A ryokan turned museum!
Just a short 15-minute drive away from Mount Komuro into the city centre of Ito, Tokaikan (東海館) opened its doors in 1928 as a public ryokan (traditional hot spring inn) and was widely loved and bustling with many visitors.
The building, a source of pride for the craftsmen of the time, boasts a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture, using a wealth of high-quality timber such as cypress and cedar, as well as uniquely shaped trees known as “henboku” (変木).
In the museum, you can visit the different rooms that were once used as lodgings for visitors. While it is no longer the bustling ryokan that it was in the past, visitors can still enjoy the building’s public bath on weekends and public holidays for a small fee.
Additionally, you can learn about the history of “Anjin” as featured in famous drama “SHOGUN”!
Tokaikan (東海館)
Address: 12-10 Higashimatsubaracho, Itō, Shizuoka 414-0022
Access: 9-minute walk from Ito Station (伊東駅)
3. Atagawa Onsen
Located somewhat in the midway point between Atami (熱海) and Shimoda (下田) in the Izu Peninsula, Izu Atagawa Onsen (伊豆熱川温泉) is a picturesque hot spring town with a unique terrain of slopes, offering stunning views of the sea and the town. It is said to have been discovered by Dokan Ota, who is also famous for building Tokyo’s Edo Castle.
The icons are Atagawa are probably their hot spring towers or onsen yugara (温泉湯柄). In total, there are 13 hot spring towers all around Atagawa. The hot spring temperature at Izu Atagawa Onsen is an impressive 100°C, making it one of the hottest in the country.
During a recent trip, we stayed at the Atagawa Prince Hotel (熱川プリンスホテル), which is equipped with four hot spring facilities, including a rooftop onsen that overlooks the shores of the Izu Peninsula.
4. Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden
Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden (熱川バナナワニ園) is a unique park that leverages on the mild climate of Atagawa Onsen! Housing approximately 100 rare and endangered crocodiles, including 16 of the world’s top species (including hybrids), this is a place where you can watch the thrilling crocodile feeding up close. Not your typical zoo, this place is also the only one in Japan where you can see the Himalayan Red Panda up-close.
Besides animals, this garden also grows a variety of tropical fruits. Cultivating over 20 different varieties, the bananas here are grown using Atagawa Onsen’s natural hot spring heat.
Try these fruits and bananas at the cafe Fruit Parlour! Cute teatime sweets like the Daifuku Wani Banana & Daifuku Wani Pineapple are a must-try, and you can even get to see Banio, the mascot of Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden if you’re lucky!
Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden (熱川バナナワニ園)
Address: 1253-10 Naramoto, Higashiizu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka 413-0302
Access: 1-minute walk from Izu-Atagawa Station on the Izu Kyūkō Line
5. Shimoda Ropeway & “The Royal House”
The Shimoda Ropeway (下田ロープウェイ) is a must-visit attraction, located just opposite the Izukyu-Shimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅)!
Just a short 5-minute ride or so up the ropeway will bring you up to Mount Nesugatayama, offering panoramic views of Shimoda, the Izu Peninsula, and even the Izu Seven Islands on clear days. At the summit, visit the Aizenmyo’odo, a power spot for love and marriage!
Before taking the Shimoda Ropeway back to the station, check out the exquisite cafe “The Royal House” at the summit. This cafe was designed by famous Japanese designer Eiji Mitooka, who also designed several luxurious sightseeing trains in Japan!
Shimoda Ropeway (下田ロープウェイ)
Address: 1-3-2 Higashihongo, Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka 415-0035
Access: 3-minute walk from Izukyū-Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyūkō Line. The ropeway station is located just across from the train station.
Visit Izu with the JR TOKYO Wide Pass
I recommend using the JR TOKYO Wide Pass for your travels around the Izu Peninsula and Tokyo. For just ¥15,000, this economical 3-day railway pass covers JR lines as well as the Izu Kyuko Line within the designated area.
There are plenty of other spots I have yet to mention in detail, such as Shimoda FRONT—a great place for lunch and souvenir shopping right next to Izukyu-Shimoda Station—and the marine-themed shopping mall Ito Marine Town. For sakura seekers, the Kawazuzakura cherry blossoms bloom in February in this part of Japan. Further north in the hot spring town of Atami, Izusan Shrine is worth a visit for all things related to love, and of course, you can’t miss the famous Atami pudding!
With so much to explore, be sure to add the Izu Peninsula to your list of must-visit destinations in Japan!
A Sweet Escape to Izu with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Snack Box
If you’re looking for another reason to explore these spots in Izu but can’t make any travel plans yet, here’s an exclusive way to enjoy Izu from the comforts of your home: gift your loved one a Valentine-themed snack box from JAPAN RAIL CLUB!
Similar to last year’s collaboration with JR East Yokohama Branch Office, the “Sweet Escapes” Omiyage Snack Box features not only chocolatey treats from all over Japan like Strawberry Choco Marshmallows and Petit Chocolate Rusk, but also yummy souvenirs from the area of Izu, such as the Dried Bonito Potato Chips (Wasabi Flavour) and Izu Sankai Rice Crackers that make use of the region’s local ingredients!
Embark on your subscription journey with JAPAN RAIL CLUB by 28 February and enjoy 14% off when you subscribe to a quarterly (3-month) or bi-annually (6-month) plan with us—use promo code “VALENTINE14“. Izu’nt this exciting?!
