Izu: Mountain Forests, Geopark, and Coast

The Izu Peninsula is defined by its mountainous terrain and deeply indented coastline. It extends about 60 kilometers south from the eastern side of Shizuoka Prefecture, is about 40 kilometers wide from east to west, and has a coastline 318 kilometers long. Apart from the Tagata Plain, mountainous terrain covers most of the peninsula. If you choose Izu for a trip, you might first consider whether to focus on forests and mountain scenery, the coast, or historic sites.

The Amagi Mountains and Nature Experiences

At 1,405 meters, Mount Banzaburō in the Amagi Mountains is the highest peak on the Izu Peninsula. The mountains are home to extensive beech forests as well as natural forests of Japanese stewartia and maple. There are viewpoints along the ridgeline with views of Mount Fuji, the forests, and Lake Hachō. Roads such as the Izu Skyline and the Amagi Ridge Road provide access to this area. When planning your trip, you can treat this mountain landscape as a distinct focus and consider it separately from coastal experiences.

The juniper grove at Ōsezaki in the northwest of the peninsula is another notable natural site: it is designated a National Natural Monument of Japan. At the southern tip is Cape Irozaki, with its deeply indented sea cliffs; the cape is also notable as a geological formation. These varied landscapes give you concrete points to consider when deciding which parts of the peninsula you would like to explore more closely.

Geopark, Gorge, and Waterfalls

The Izu Peninsula Geopark has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2018. More than 100 certified geoguides offer tours that introduce visitors to the geopark and let them experience it firsthand. These tours are available in all five areas of the Izu Peninsula and can be tailored to visitors’ interests. If you would like to explore nature and history with an expert guide, you can consider adding this option to your trip plans.

Kawazu Nanadaru offers another way to experience the landscape: along the Odoriko Trail Road, suspension bridges and wooden walkways lead to seven waterfalls. Visitors can hike there and enjoy the gorge’s changing beauty through the seasons. The combination of trail, bridges, and waterfalls makes this a clearly defined nature experience. You can weigh it against other interests on the peninsula without combining the different sites into a single route.

Coast, Fishing Villages, and History

Ōsezaki is considered one of the best diving spots on the Izu Peninsula; its coastal waters are also home to distinctive fish species that are rarely found outside the region. The coast is especially suited to exploring by sea kayak. If you are interested in water activities, there are several different ways to experience the coastal landscape. At Cape Irozaki, the Iro Shrine is built into the rock. Ōse is home to a sacred site for fishermen of Suruga Bay. The hand-carved boat models and votive paintings dedicated there are considered among the 100 best historical and cultural records of Japanese fishing villages.

Shimoda also offers a historical perspective on the peninsula. The city is a historic port at its southern tip. The black ships led by Commodore Matthew Perry landed there, ushering in trade with the United States after Japan’s long period of isolation. The Toi Gold Mine is preserved as a historic site. These places offer a different focus from hiking, geopark tours, or water activities.

Wasabi and Choosing Your Trip Focus

In the central part of the peninsula around Mount Amagi, wasabi is especially notable for its quality, cultivated area, and production volume. Wasabi in Amagi is grown using the tatami-ishi method, developed by Hirai Kumatarō in 1892. It requires an abundant water supply and enables the harvest of high-quality wasabi. This gives the landscape in the central part of the peninsula a culinary connection, adding a regional farming tradition to its nature and culture themes.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can therefore start by choosing your preferred trip focus: mountain forests and the geopark, waterfalls, coastal experiences, history, or wasabi cultivation. If you are specifically looking for the place of the same name as a destination, you can also visit Izu. Sunto District is another destination to consider.

For the broader travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.