The rocky coast of the Izu peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan

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Izu Peninsula Travel Guide: Coast, Hot Springs and the Geopark

   

Written by:

Jun

Planning the Izu peninsula in Shizuoka: the east and west coasts, Shuzenji and the hot spring towns, the geopark, and train or car access from Tokyo.

Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 30 October 2026).

Why visit

  • The Izu peninsula hangs south of Mount Fuji, with a volcanic coast, hot spring towns and a mild winter.
  • It is one of the closest coast-and-onsen trips from Tokyo.
  • The peninsula is large enough that the east and west coasts feel like different trips.

Top places and highlights

The rocky coast of the Izu peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan
Photo: Nesnad · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Jogasaki coast

A cliff walk with a suspension bridge over a inlet, on the east coast near Ito.

Shuzenji

An inland hot spring town built around a temple, with a river walk through the centre.

West coast and the geopark

The western shore faces Suruga Bay, with sunset views and geopark sites. Distances are long; plan the drive.

Izu’s seafood

Dried fish and seafood are the local speciality, sold in the port towns.

Food and drink

  • Seafood, wasabi and dried fish are the local staples.
  • Resort hotels serve set meals; port towns have simpler fish restaurants.

Getting there and around

  • Limited express trains run down the east coast from Tokyo to Ito and Shimoda.
  • The west coast is easier by car; buses exist but are slow.

Where to stay

  • Hot spring hotels cluster at Ito, Shuzenji, Shimoda and Dogashima.
  • Book ahead at weekends and in blossom season.

Best time to visit

  • Spring and autumn are the best walking weather.
  • Summer is beach season, and winter is mild and quiet with clear views.

Practical tips

  • Do not try to circle the whole peninsula in one day.
  • Check road closures on the mountain passes.
  • Treat times, fares and opening hours as things to reconfirm.

Suggested day-trip outline

  1. Take a morning train to Ito and walk the Jogasaki coast.
  2. Move inland to Shuzenji for the evening.
  3. Return by train, or drive the west coast on a second day.

Before you go

Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.

Explore More of Japan

Published guides that pair with this one:

Browse every Chubu guide on this site for the rest of the region.

Sources

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