ocean

Japan Izu Peninsula Coast Line

| flynny101

While we got our mountain, waterfall and Onsen fix along the way the real reson we came to the Peninsula was the coast line.

From our research we knew the coast line was going to be stunning but, despite terrible weather, it blew us away.

We had hoped to do the boat trip into the Tensodo Cave at Dogashima but wind and rain meant the boats wouldn’t be running today. We were still able to walk up to have a look at the famous sky light from above.

Braving the rain we make our way aroiund to the Futo Coast with it’s stunning sea stacks.

Just North of here is Cape Koganezaki and the infamous Horse Rock

After an awesome day exploring coast lines we make our wayback to Tokyo.

Japan Izu Peninsula Mountains, Onsens and Waterfalls

| flynny101

A few days in Tokyo with it’s bright lights and highrise buildings and were craving a bit of natural greenery.

Our timing wasn’t great, it was the tag end of Typhoon season so wet, windy and humid. But we weren’t going to let that stop us. We hired a little car and hit the road for the Izu Peninsula.

Eventually we left the major cities behind and wound our way up into the mountains. The lush green was such a contrast to the neon blues and reds and drab concrete.

The Izu peninsular is about 100km south west of Tokyo and the towns we began passing through, and you were never too far out of a town, were goregous but we were struck with the amount of seemingly abandoned buildings dotted around. It seemed like there was a failed attempt in the 70s to decentralise or something…

Anyhoo our first stop was Mount Omuro an extent volcano covered in lush green

Wonderful Views to Mountain Fugi

From there we headed to Amagiso Odaru Onsen with the time of year and poor weather we mostly had this to ourselves and Wow. It is amazing

Naturally feed hot springs at the base of a stunning waterfall

Ok so we kinda knew what to expect but pulling up to a non descript car park and following a path down a gully that alomst felt like we were walking into someones back yard. We were greeted at the gate buy a man who may or may not have ever left the gully. ¥1000 (or a bit under $9AUD) pp later and we in some sort of paradise.

The top onsens were about 42° and got progressively cooler as you wandered down stream along the river.

We spent a good few hours here just soaking it in before heading back to the car and just up the road a bit is the Seven Waterfalls of Kawazu

From here we head to the coast and the fanastic Hiromi Ocean View Spa Hotel.

Sunrise views from the room

This place was so luxurious. The view from the room would be worth it on it’s own but down stairs the onsens as next level.

Word to travellers, it’s tradition in Japan for people using the segragated Onsens to do so nude. Swim wear is considered rude unless stated otherwise. If that is off putting for you this hotel has the option to rent a private Onsen where you can choose to cover up or not. We tried both options.

We also took advantage of the serenity room that was full of automatic massage chairs.