Travel to WestERN Izu, Japan
The Nishi-Izu region is located in the western part of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. There is a beautiful coastline with views of Mt. Fuji, unobstructed hot springs, and a mysterious Shinto shrine. The area is also known for its delicious seafood, particularly its fresh sushi and sashimi. Overall, the Nishi-Izu region is a beautiful and charming destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. Through this post, I’ll tell you about my fascinating trip to western Izu, Japan!
3 recommended tourist destinations for you to visit
There are many tourist attractions in Nishi-Izu. Here are three recommended travel spots.
1. MOROGUTI SHINTO SHRINE & MIHAMA BEACH
Introduction
Moroguchi Shrine shrine is a rare place where you can see Mt. Fuji, the ocean, and the torii gate together. The sea of Nishi-Izu is also one of the clearest in Japan. Unlike Tokyo Bay, you can see the bottom of the sea. The clear sky, the red torii gate, the beautiful sea, and Mt. Fuji standing behind it are the iconic scenery of Japan. It is one of my favorite places to see Mt.Fuji.
The cape where the shrine is located also has a bathing beach and is busy with leisure activities in summer. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the scenery in peace and quiet, you should visit from autumn to spring. Of course, I also recommend visiting in summer to enjoy swimming and snorkeling while viewing Mt Fuji.
If you want to see the beautiful Mt. Fuji in Japan, you must visit Moroguchi Shrine!
Official site
Moroguchi Shinto shrine
Mihama Beach
2. SAWADA PARK
Introduction
Sawada Park has an open-air bath on a bluff. Visitors can enjoy the scenery overlooking the ocean and enjoy the luxury of the baths. But there are some precautions to take when visiting.
The first is that the bathtub is small. It is crowded with about 4 adults. Therefore, it is recommended to visit on weekday mornings when there are fewer people. I visited on a Monday around 10:00 a.m. and was able to enjoy the hot spring alone.
Second, the road to the destination is narrow. You may be worried about getting lost. Even if you are worried, trust Google Maps and keep going.
The third is the fee and service. When you arrive, you must pay 600 yen at the hut in the back right corner. Credit cards are not accepted, so you will need to have cash ready. Also, since this is a small spa, there are no animated toys available. Bring your own shampoo and body soap. Hand towels can be purchased for 100 yen.
Please take note of the above points and experience an open-air bath with a spectacular view!
Official site
3. IROZAKI OCEAN PARK
INTRODUCTION
Located at the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula, Irozaki Ocean Park has a cute lighthouse and a mysterious shrines. Both locations are a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. There is also a rest area near the parking lot where you can have a light meal and soft-serve ice cream. If you get too hot on the way home from walking, have some soft-serve ice cream!
IRO Shrine & Kumano Shrine
You will find a cliff staircase with out-of-place religious railings as you continue on. At the bottom of those stairs is the IRO Shrine. The shrine is built in a hollow in the rock, taking advantage of the terrain left by nature. Visitors can make a monetary donation and draw a fortune. There is also a small Kumano Shrine further down the cape.
After you’ve prayed to the gods, enjoy the scenery you’ll see from beyond the cape! You can enjoy the rugged coastline created by nature. And if the weather is nice, you can even see some islands!
Official site
Gourmet food
Deep-fried Horse Mackerel
As for western Izu, I cannot help but mention the gourmet food. As you know, it faces the beautiful sea, so the seafood dishes are delicious. Of course, sushi and sashimi are highly recommended, but this time I would like to recommend a dish I had.
Deep-fried Horse Mackerel!!
Deep-fried horse mackerel is one of the most popular dishes in Japan. In a community like Nishi-Izu, facing the sea, fresh seafood is readily available, and fried horse mackerel is extra delicious! Drizzle soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to your liking, squeeze a little lemon, and the crispy texture and delicious taste of horse mackerel will spread in your mouth. You’ll love it!
If you haven’t had it yet, I urge you to try it!
TABEROGU site
CAMPING
Izu Can Farm
There are many campgrounds in Nishi-Izu. Among them, I would like to introduce the campground where I stayed.
The name of the campground is Izu Can Farm.
The main attraction of this campground is that you can camp while viewing Mt. Fuji, which turns red at sunset, and drinking beer is a wonderful experience. Vegetables are also grown at the campground and fresh vegetables are available depending on the season. The caretaker was friendly and made the camping experience pleasant.
The price per night is from 5,000 yen, depending on the time of year.
Official site
Other PHOTO
Access
There are no railroads in the Nishi-Izu region. I recommend that you take the Shinkansen to Mishima Station and rent a car.
It takes about 50 minutes from Tokyo to Mishima Station. When taking the Shinkansen, please take the Kodama. Nozomi and Hikari trains do not stop at Mishima Station.
It takes about 200 kilometers from Mishima Station to Irozaki via the west coast of the Izu Peninsula and 3 hours by car. Although it is possible to make a day trip, I recommend two days and one night.
There are many hotels for tourists in Dogashima, near Sawada Park, so please take advantage of them!
Finally
Thank you for reading this far. In this blog, I continue to introduce you to the Japanese countryside. If you like it, please follow me on SNS.