Just an hour's drive from Atami! Take a road trip to the popular Izu Kogen area!
Izukogen, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, famous for Mount Fuji, is a famous tourist area with leisure facilities such as Izu Cactus Zoo and Izu Granpal Park. In this article, we'll take you to Izukogen by car from Atami Station and introduce recommended sightseeing spots and must-try dishes!
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Based in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Izu Shaboten Zoo Group operates a variety of leisure facilities, including zoos, theme parks, and glamping facilities. The main facilities they operate include Izu Shaboten Zoo, where about 1,500 species of cacti and about 140 species of animals coexist, Izu Granpal Park, which is full of activities, and Izu Kogen Gran Illumination, which features beautiful nighttime illuminations. They also operate the New York Lamp Museum & Flower Garden, which exhibits Tiffany lamps, and Izu Kogen Travel Station Granpal Port, which offers souvenirs exclusive to Izu. In addition, they have opened the indoor petting zoo AniTouch in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Gunma, and other locations, where visitors can experience close contact and interaction with animals. Through these, they are leisure facilities that continue to provide visitors with diverse experiences and healing.
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Required time
1 day
Transportation
Car
Just an hour from Atami! Enjoy nature on a trip to Izu Kogen
There are many tourist attractions in Japan, but the Izu Kogen area in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is one of the most popular destinations, packed with a variety of attractions including nature, leisure activities, hot springs, and gourmet food.
This time, we'll be renting a car and heading to Izu Kogen from Atami, a famous hot spring resort. Let's go on a trip together to explore the surrounding tourist spots!
Once you rent a car at Atami Station, you can set off right away!
Once you reach National Route 135, head towards Shimoda and head south along the Izu Peninsula.
Continue driving along the road for about an hour and you will arrive at the Izu Kogen area!
First, let's take a short break at Tabi no Eki Granpal Port!
Once you reach National Route 135, head towards Shimoda and head south along the Izu Peninsula.
Continue driving along the road for about an hour and you will arrive at the Izu Kogen area!
First, let's take a short break at Tabi no Eki Granpal Port!
1
Izu Kogen Travel Station Granpal Port
At Izukogen Tabinoeki Granpal Port, which sells Izu souvenirs and seafood, you can enjoy snacks and shopping.
The restaurant is open at lunchtime, so it's recommended to stop by during the day!
There is also a tourist information center on-site, where they can introduce nearby facilities and provide directions. There is also a foot bath, so you can soothe your travel fatigue.
The restaurant is open at lunchtime, so it's recommended to stop by during the day!
There is also a tourist information center on-site, where they can introduce nearby facilities and provide directions. There is also a foot bath, so you can soothe your travel fatigue.
Golden-eyed snapper croquette 400 yen
Taiwanese Fruit Tea (Jasmine Tea or Cider) 550 yen
Our next destination is Mount Omuro, which is said to have been the inspiration for the movie "Your Name."
Leave the Granpal Port Travel Station and continue up Prefectural Route 111 until you see it.
The parking lot is on the other side of the mountain, so please follow the signs and instructions of the security guards when parking.
Leave the Granpal Port Travel Station and continue up Prefectural Route 111 until you see it.
The parking lot is on the other side of the mountain, so please follow the signs and instructions of the security guards when parking.
2
Omuroyama
Take the lift to the top of Mount Omuro.
At the summit is the remains of a crater, 300m in diameter (maximum), 1000m in circumference, and 70m deep (from the southern level point to the crater bottom). By walking around the crater, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Izu Islands, and the Boso Peninsula.
At the summit is the remains of a crater, 300m in diameter (maximum), 1000m in circumference, and 70m deep (from the southern level point to the crater bottom). By walking around the crater, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Izu Islands, and the Boso Peninsula.
After enjoying the spectacular views of Izu Highlands, have lunch at the restaurant "LaChic" at the base of the mountain!
At LaChic, a restaurant located right next to Mount Omuro, you can enjoy lunch while feeling the highland breeze.
There is also a parking lot, so traveling by car is safe!
There is also a wide variety of desserts on the menu, and some of the menu items change with the seasons, so you can enjoy it no matter how many times you come.
Once you've filled your stomach, your next stop is Izu Cactus Zoo, located just up the hill from Lacic.
If you leave the parking lot and go up the hill to the left, you will see the gate where you pay the parking fee.
Please note that parking fees are cash only!
If you leave the parking lot and go up the hill to the left, you will see the gate where you pay the parking fee.
Please note that parking fees are cash only!
3
Izu shaboten zoo
Izu Cactus Zoo offers many opportunities to get up close and personal with animals, including the "Original Capybara Open-Air Bath," a famous winter event in Izu, and "Animal Boat Tours," which can only be experienced here in Japan.
If you want to know more about the "Original Capybara Open-Air Bath" and "Animal Boat Tours," check out this article ↓↓↓
![[2025 Update] Let's go see capybaras in Japan! A thorough explanation of the "original capybara onsen"](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2025/09/17-244586.webp)
![[The only place in Japan!] Get up close and personal with animals on a boat! Izu Shaboten Zoo](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2025/09/19-244785.webp)
summary
Other attractions in the Izu Kogen area include Izu Granpal Park and the New York Lamp Museum and Flower Garden.
There are plenty of facilities for families to enjoy.
Furthermore, you can get to Shimoda in 43km (1 hour) and Hakone in 56km (1 hour 30 minutes),
It might be a good idea to take a little trip to other areas!
This time we introduced a driving course starting from Atami Station to Izukogen.
Use this article as a reference and enjoy the Izukogen area to the fullest!
![[2025 Latest] A thorough guide to the illuminations at Izu Granpal Park, near Tokyo!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2025/09/09-243852.webp)
Spots introduced in this itinerary
Based in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Izu Shaboten Zoo Group operates a variety of leisure facilities, including zoos, theme parks, and glamping facilities. The main facilities they operate include Izu Shaboten Zoo, where about 1,500 species of cacti and about 140 species of animals coexist, Izu Granpal Park, which is full of activities, and Izu Kogen Gran Illumination, which features beautiful nighttime illuminations. They also operate the New York Lamp Museum & Flower Garden, which exhibits Tiffany lamps, and Izu Kogen Travel Station Granpal Port, which offers souvenirs exclusive to Izu. In addition, they have opened the indoor petting zoo AniTouch in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Gunma, and other locations, where visitors can experience close contact and interaction with animals. Through these, they are leisure facilities that continue to provide visitors with diverse experiences and healing.
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