Higashiizu itinerary: two or three nights

Nights and full days

Spend the arrival and departure days in Atagawa, where the garden stands beside the station and the hotel and beach are down by the sea. Take a local train south for the full day in Inatori, returning for the hotel bath that evening. With another night, continue farther along the railway to Shimoda.

Animal Kingdom can replace the port and hanging decorations during the Inatori day. Hosono’s grassland and the Kawazu waterfall gorge each need a full outing for walking and travel. The other coastal towns lie on the same railway, with station pickups available at several inns.

Arrival afternoon in Atagawa

At Izu-Atagawa, walk down to Atagawa Ocean Resort on the seafront, about five minutes from the station. A station transfer is available by reservation. The hotel’s balcony rooms face the Pacific, as do its indoor and outdoor baths. After the journey, walk along the shore and bathe before dinner.

With an early arrival, visit Atagawa’s tropical garden beside the station. Crocodilians, orchids and red pandas occupy its main and annex areas. It opens at 09:00, with last entry at 16:30 and closing at 17:00; allow time to walk between the hillside areas. From Tokyo, Odoriko and connecting trains follow the east-coast railway. Express travel needs a reserved seat.

Atagawa Ocean Resort

An ocean-facing balcony with every room, beside Atagawa’s sandy beach.

Superior Twin · non-smoking · no pets · 39 m² · 2 semi-double beds and 1 sofa bed · private bathroom

8.6 · 1608 Agoda reviews

• Free Wi-Fi

from US$94 per room / night

Room only; breakfast and dinner excluded. Bathing tax is payable at the hotel.

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First full day in Inatori

The 08:55 local from Atagawa reaches Izu-Inatori at 09:03. Begin with the hanging decorations at Hina no Yakata in Bunka Park, then walk toward the port for lunch and food shopping. The autumn exhibition opens at 09:00 and costs ¥500 (about US$3.20); Thursdays are the usual closure outside festivals. Korasshe sells fish, citrus and prepared foods from the fishery and agricultural cooperatives. Inatori’s kinmedai is splendid alfonsino, often served braised.

After lunch, Tokai Hotel Yuen’s day baths open at 14:00 for an hour in the sea-facing pools. The hotel is about fifteen minutes on foot from the station. Return to Atagawa for the evening; the 18:55 local from Inatori arrives at 19:03.

Animal Kingdom instead of the town morning

For wildlife, take the bus from Inatori to Animal Kingdom and spend the morning on the Walking Safari. About three hours allows time for the wider park and lunch before returning to the coast. Park entry for an adult costs ¥2,600–3,200 (about US$16–20), depending on the tariff band; feeding and rides are extra.

Second full day in Shimoda

With a third night, continue to Shimoda on the 08:55 local, arriving at 09:22. Walk to Ryosenji’s free temple grounds, about ten minutes from the station, then follow the canal-side streets around Perry Road. Low buildings, small bridges and the harbor are the setting for the town’s Black Ship history.

After lunch, the ropeway beside Izukyu-Shimoda station climbs Nesugatayama for harbor views. An adult return ticket costs ¥1,500 (about US$9.50). Between October 16 and March 15 the final ascent is 16:15 and descent 16:45; wind or bad weather can suspend the service. The 18:30 local from Shimoda reaches Atagawa at 19:03 after the harbor walk and hillside.

Kawazu in blossom season

In February, replace Shimoda with Kawazu’s riverside cherry trees. The same morning train reaches Kawazu at 09:09, close to the lower river. Pale pink blossoms can continue for around a month from early February, with the date shifting each year. Walk beside the river and have lunch in town before returning to Atagawa.

Departure and costs

On the last morning, have breakfast before traveling north through Ito and Atami or on a reserved Odoriko service. Atagawa Ocean Resort is a short walk from the station. With a later departure, the tropical garden beside the railway is an outing for the morning.

These lodging and admission subtotals are per person, with two adults sharing one Ocean Resort room. They include the autumn hanging-doll exhibition and the weekday Tokai day bath; the three-night version also includes Shimoda’s adult ropeway return. Each person pays half the nightly room amount. Meals, train and bus fares, local accommodation or bathing taxes, towels and personal spending are extra.

Local trains run along the coast toward Ito and Atami. Reserved Odoriko seats require a limited-express supplement in addition to the ordinary rail fare.