In the hilly center of the Izu peninsula, you’ll find Shuzenji Town offering hot spring resorts, open-air baths on a river bank, elegant Japanese bridges, old inns and charming temples and shrines.
Autumn in Tokyo is spectacular. Its many different colors are a magnificent sight to behold. Also called 'momiji' or 'koyo' in Japanese, autumn leaf viewing is done since ancient times.
After a harsh spring of suffering from hay fever, I decided to celebrate the end of the season (and my freedom from wearing a face mask) by embarking on a trip to the Izu Peninsula, about a two-hour train ride or drive southwest of Tokyo.
Shimoda, a coastal town located on Japan’s Izu Peninsula, offers sandy white beaches and many must-see attractions, a perfect place for a family vacation. But, getting there can be a pain. Expect lots of traffic and it’ll take hours to get there from Yokota Air Base. For some people, it might not be worth it.
Formed by the lava flow from a massive ancient eruption of Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula is close enough to Tokyo and has enough to see and do to make it a great place for a long weekend or a relaxed couple of days' exploring. In no particular order, here are eleven of the sights to see:
1. The Seven Waterfalls