Just got back from an incredible 3-week trip to Japan with the family! We hit up Tokyo (twice!), Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and even Ito on the beautiful Izu Peninsula.
Here are some of our Izu Peninsula highlights:
Hotel:
- Village Izukogen Hotel: Seriously, this place was bigger than my old one-bedroom in Hawaii! Indoor swimming pool was a plus!
Food:
- Uoiso: Amazing sushi that was melt-in-your-mouth fresh.
- Kazumura: Super quiet tonkatsu spot with the most incredible food.
- Page One: Found this gem in Shimoda when the kids were craving Italian. Family-owned, cozy, and the BEST Italian we've had in ages.
Other Must-See Highlights:
- Koganezaki Park: Breathtaking scenery.
- Toi Gold Mine: Touch the world's largest gold bar?! Yes, please! We had a blast panning for gold flakes too.
- Lovers Cape: Ringing the bells was fun (even if my kids thought we were embarassing).
- Joren Falls: Gorgeous hike along the Kano River. Tons of waterfalls, but be prepared for lots of steps!
- Jogasaki Coast: Views for days!
- Mt. Omuro: Rode a chairlift up an old volcano – a bit scary at first for the kids, but they loved it by the end.
- Driving the Peninsula: So many hidden spots to discover… just be careful if Google Maps tries to take you over a mountain. We ended up on a super narrow logging road!
by psn_whizer
4 comments
How long did you spend in Izu peninsula?
Hey, I was going to do a similar itinerary, but solo. Aside from the cool gold bar, which I know I will like, do you think a solo person would enjoy the Toi Gold Mine?
I used to live near Shimoda! When I go back, I’m going to rent a car to drive around a bit and visit friends. Can’t wait!
I added a stop in Atami to my visit a couple months ago, which I enjoyed more than I thought I would. And then while there, last-minute added a bus ride to Jikkokutoge (observation deck). The view of Fuji was great, but I was personally more impressed by the view of Izu. I could see the sea on both sides of it and the terrain looked amazing too. This was easily inserted into a mere 9 day itinerary, it’s right on the Shinkansen.
I definitely want to explore further south if I can.