Why visit Izu?
20 photos to help you decide
Most people who discover Izu have already done the major tourist spots. At some point they start wondering if there’s something else to Japan, something a little quieter, a little less curated.
I’ve been living in Japan long enough that I struggle to remember what a first-time visitor imagines. But among those who join me here in Izu, every now and then a guest will stop and say something like, “I had no idea this existed” and I remember why I find Izu such a charming and unique part of Japan.
It’s rural. Unhurried. I know people here whose ancestors have been fishing the same waters or tending the same land for multiple generations. When I bring someone to meet them, it’s not a tourist performance, it’s just a visit. And that, I think, is what makes it feel different from a lot of travel experiences.
I can’t promise any of this in advance, and I certainly can’t package it. But if you look through past guest reviews on Google or Trip Advisor, you’ll notice people often mention something they struggle to put into words: a conversation they didn’t expect, a place they never would have found alone, a moment that somehow ended up being the highlight of the trip.
These 20 photos are my way of trying to show you what I mean before you decide anything.
They don’t cover everything. But they’re the images I keep coming back to, the places, the people, the small moments that I think represent Izu at its best.
If it looks like your kind of thing, I’d love to help you plan a visit.
1
Rice fields surrounded by mountains. This is classic “satoyama” – a landscape where daily life and the surrounding environment are closely connected, and the foundation of Japanese culture. It’s often here that guests start to slow down and notice things differently.
2
Along Izu’s coast, the mountains rise straight up from the sea in ways that feel surprisingly close. This closeness of mountains and oceans is a major part of what defines Izu.
3
The mix of new and old Izu is one of its most charming features. This garden at the preserved home of a former silk maker takes us back to Japan’s Meiji Era.
4
Izu has many waterfalls. The most famous are the Nanadaru (Seven Falls) of Kawazu, which can feel a little ‘touristy’. I love taking guests to hidden gems like this one.
5
Torii gates on the shore appear in many classic photos of Japan, especially in places like Miyajima and Hakone. I always find it odd that people stand in long lines waiting to take the same photo thousands of others have taken. Why not come to Izu and see things that few other tourists have seen?
6
Everyone knows wasabi . . . at least they think they do. Izu is the world capital of wasabi production, and guests on my tours are always surprised and delighted to learn about the real stuff!
7
Izu’s coastal formations are like scenes from a different world! The entire peninsula is a UNESCO Global Geopark.
8
In less than an hour from the shinkansen line, you can be standing amongst the most beautiful scenery in Japan. It’s easy to practice shinrin yoku, immersing yourself and all your senses in restorative forests.
9
Fans of the 14-Academy Award winning Shogun know that Izu is the setting of this charming historical fiction. The city of Ito has a strong connection to William Adams, whose life inspired the story.
10
Jimmy’s Izu Tours specializes in slow travel because that’s the only way to experience Izu. It’s the perfect place to relax, breathe deeply, and become one with your surroundings.
11
There are lots of fun things to do in Izu. Guests always enjoy the fresh wasabi tasting experience.
12
A local festival in Izu. These are the kinds of moments that are hard to plan in advance, but often become the most memorable part of a visit.
13
Onodera-san, a friendly wasabi farmer. Being able to meet and interact with the people of Izu can make your time here the most memorable part of your trip to Japan.
14
Traditional industries have disappeared in many parts of the world. Being able to see how people made the foods we eat gives us a deep and meaningful connection to the past.
15
Mt. Fuji is perhaps the most iconic symbol of Japan. Often shy and hidden in clouds, she always makes an impact when she decides to say hello.
16
The Izu Peninsula was formed by oceanic volcanoes. The result is some of the most amazing coastal scenery in the world.
17
Japan loves mascots, and we have a bunch of really cute ones here in Izu. This is a cactus mascot participating in a competition during one of Izu’s most unusual festivals.
18
Break time at a local children’s festival. Summer is a time of festivals in Japan. It’s also a time of stifling heat! Kids are always charmed by foreign visitors and love to try a little English when they see you!
19
Grand shrines and temples in places like Kyoto and Kamakura were often built by powerful people. In rural Japan, they’re built for locals, and it’s much easier to see the vital roles the play in the community.
20
The cultivation of shiitake mushrooms was developed here in Izu. This shiitake grower (Shioya-san) loves to show guests the result of all the hard work he puts into the process.