Inatori Onsen: harbor, hanging dolls and stays

Spend a town day in Inatori before heading farther south: see its hanging cloth decorations, walk to the fishing port, then eat seafood or try local citrus. The town’s harbor and cultural hall are the reason to leave the ryokan; Kawazu is an easy onward rail trip.

Harbor and town

Inatori’s boats and waterfront buildings cluster around the harbor, while onsen hotels face the sea around the peninsula. Kinmedai, the bright red splendid alfonsino, is the port’s signature fish, often served braised. From Izu-Inatori station, walk through town to the hanging decorations in Bunka Park, the harbor and Korasshe’s food market.

Korasshe at 3352 Inatori is run by the fishery and agricultural cooperatives. Fresh fish, citrus and prepared foods sit alongside bread, dried fruit and himono for cooking. It opens 08:30–15:00 and closes on the second Tuesday of each month and December 31.

Fishing boats and waterfront buildings in Inatori harbor — Photo: Drivephotographer

Inatori’s hanging decorations

Small fabric animals, flowers and lucky motifs hang in strings beside formal Hina dolls. Families began sewing them in the late Edo period as wishes for their daughters’ health and happiness. Soft shapes and bright colors fill the hanging displays. Inatori Hachiman Shrine also hosts the ornaments, with red tiers of Hina dolls.

Hina no Yakata in Bunka Park, at 1729 Inatori, is the main exhibition hall. Its autumn show includes Inatori’s ornaments alongside the hanging traditions of Yanagawa and Sakata. During the autumn grass season, the hall is a town stop beneath the highlands.

The autumn exhibition runs September 19–November 30, 2026, from 09:00–16:00 with last entry at 15:40; Thursdays are closed. Adult admission is ¥500 (about US$3.20), and children through elementary-school age enter free.

Hanging fabric decorations and red tiers of hina dolls at Inatori Hachiman Shrine — Photo: Asturio Cantabrio

Kinmedai, seafood and citrus

Otameshiya in Angel Resort

Otameshiya’s seafood dining room is above the harbor inside Angel Resort, at 3010-71 Inatori. Windows face the sea and the Izu islands, and local-fish dishes are the specialty. A taxi from Izu-Inatori station takes about ten minutes to reach this hillside restaurant.

Otameshiya Inatori	Hours and last orders
Lunch	11:30–14:30; last order 14:00.
Dinner Monday, Thursday, Friday	17:00–20:30; last order 20:00.
Dinner weekends and public holidays	17:00–21:00; last order 20:30.
Closed	Tuesday and Wednesday.

Futatsubori citrus farm café

Futatsubori at 1813-1 Inatori welcomes café visitors and fruit pickers. Its mikan sundae layers orange jam, frozen juice, jelly and vanilla soft serve; fresh juice and new-summer-orange drinks follow the harvest. From the timber-style café and terrace, mikan fields descend toward the sea, with islands visible in clear weather. New-summer orange is fragrant and juicy, with sweetness and moderate acidity. Arrange the free pickup from Izu-Inatori station or Inatori hotels on 0557-95-2747.

Seafood rice bowl with sashimi, soup and small side dishes in Higashiizu — Photo: Kzaral

Waterfront stays and days out

Inatori Tokai Hotel Yuen faces the sea about fifteen minutes on foot from the station, with ocean-view pools and a rock-enclosed cave bath open to day bathers.

Animal Kingdom, Hosono and rail south

The station bus climbs to Izu Animal Kingdom, where giraffes, rhinos and zebras occupy the Walking Safari above town. Hosono Highlands has stepped hillside circuits through open grassland, with sea and island views; its autumn event bus runs on weekends and Japanese public holidays. On the coastal railway, Kawazu lies two local stops south, beyond Imaihama-Kaigan, and Shimoda has Perry Road and harbor history at the end of the line.