Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula is around 100km west of Tokyo. It is home to abundant hot spring baths, a spectacular rugged coastline, a mild climate, some lovely ryokan accommodations and a scenic mountainous interior with great views of Mount Fuji from (the western coast).

On weekends and national holidays, the northern towns of the peninsula can become very crowded with domestic tourists, but the inland areas and the smaller coastal towns towards the south enjoy a much quieter environment. The Town of Atami accesses the area, but this is only the gateway to more interesting destinations on the peninsula. Shimoda town, at the southern point of the Izu Peninsula, is perhaps the most beautiful destination, offering hot springs, historic sights and decent beaches. It is accessible from Tokyo to Yokohama by Shinkansen, and then a further hours scenic ride down by local train with great coastline views.