Shizuoka: An Economical Two Day Gourmet Tour Of The Izu Peninsula

Looking out over the Pacific Ocean, Shizuoka prefecture boasts both Japan's tallest peak with Mount Fuji, and the country's deepest bay with Suruga Bay.
In today's article, we introduce a two day travel plan for the Izu peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture's eastern region, which is also known as one of Japan's top onsen (hot spring) areas.

*Today's article is report-style complete with photos.

The Izu Peninsula In Shizuoka Prefecture's Eastern Region

On today's trip we'll be making use of the Tokai Bus-2 Day Free Pass, which is 3900 yen for adults and 1950 yen for elementary school students and under. Passengers have unlimited riding privileges on the Tokai bus, which covers the entire Izu peninsula area, making this a very economical travel option.

To begin our trip we first board the shinkansen for Mishima Station. Outside the station we purchased a Tokai Bus-Free Pass at the Tokai Bus Information Center before making our way to Shuzenji Station. It takes about 46 minutes to get to Shuzenji Station. Here we transfer to a bus going to Shuzenji Onsen; it takes about 8 minutes to get to Shuzenji Onsen Station. When you get off the bus at the station, the beautiful scenery spreading out before your eyes certainly lives up the area's nickname of 'Little Kyoto'.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

Walk a short distance and soon Tokko-no-yu Spa comes into view. It's been said that the waters of this onsen first came flowing out more than 1200 years ago.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

As you walk along the stone-covered promenade beside the river, you reach the Narrow Path of Takebayashi. Inside this bamboo grove there's a circular bench and, when you lie down here and look up at the sky, the refreshing breeze, the murmur of the flowing river and the sunshine filtering through the leaves of the trees put you in a state of relaxation and comfort far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

As we continue walking, it's almost time for lunch. I really worked up an appetite, so sauntering back to the onsen town, I began searching for a shop that serves Shuzenji soba and found a shop called Zenputei Nanaban.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

I ordered the house specialty zenji soba, which costs 1260 yen. When you order this set you can enjoy two varieties of soba; mori soba and tororo soba. The set includes a wasabi plant complete with stem and leaves, and sansai, or edible wild plants. It also comes with a variety of different seasonings such as sesame seeds, green onions, grated daikon radish and ginger. One of the shop's unique ideas is getting customers to grate their own wasabi, one of Izu's famous local products,

Eating soba with freshly grated wasabi is simply exquisite and something that can only be experienced here at this shop! Afterwards, I put my leftover wasabi into the complimentary take-out bag and took it home as a souvenir.

To read more about the basics of Japanese soba, please have a look at the following article: Soba Noodles: Varieties, How To Enjoy Them And The Best Shops.

Zenputei Nanaban
Address: Shizuoka, Izu, Shuzenji 761-1-3
Telephone: 0558-72-0007
Holidays: Thursdays
Business Hours: 10:00-16:00

Seven Waterfalls - Feel the Refreshing Spray of the Water

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

Our next stop is Kawazu Nanadaru, also known as the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls. From Shuzenji Station the bus passes through Amagitoge before arriving at the falls 50 minutes later.

We got off the bus at Mizutari Station. The Kawazu area has many waterfalls, but among them are seven famous ones.

After you get off the bus and follow a slightly steep set of stairs, you arrive at the Kama Falls observation deck. The fall's splashing water and spray come down onto the observation deck making you part of the spectacular action!

From there we continue past Ebi Falls and on to Hebi Falls before finally stopping at Shokei Falls, where you can see a statue of the heroine from award-winning novelist Yasunari Kawabata's short story, "Izu no Odoriko" (The Izu Dancer, 1926).

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

From Shokei Falls follow the convenient walking trail and, on either side of you, various shops including souvenir shops and a tea store will soon begin to appear.

Continue further and you'll see Wasabien-Kadoya. We've already had our lunch but let's take a peek inside the shop.

The menu item that caught my attention was the wasabi-don (550 yen). A dollop of grated wasabi is placed in the middle of a dish consisting of rice topped with katsuobushi, and then soy sauce is poured over top.

The katsuobushi, rice, and the soy sauce all go well together which makes this a winning combination, and the appetizing fragrance of the wasabi really hits your nose.

Wasabien-Kadoya
Address: Shizuoka, Kamogun, Kawazu-cho, Nashimoto 371-1
Business Hours: 09:30-14:00 *Note: the restaurant closes when the soba is sold out
Official Site: Wasabien-Kadoya (Japanese)

Dogashima- A Famous Spot For Sunsets

Next, after finishing our sightseeing of the Seven Waterfalls, we hop aboard a bus at Shimoda Station headed for Dogashima. At dusk we really have something to look forward to because Dogashima is known for its beautiful sunsets.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

Today we'll be staying at the Dogashima NEW Ginsui. Dogashima's seaside is dotted with numerous Japanese ryokan, and the NEW Ginsui is considered to be top class. With our Tokai Bus-Free Pass we were able to save on our transportation costs, so that allowed us to splurge a little on our night's accommodation.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

From the lobby of the ryokan I could see right out across Suruga Bay. From what I understand, on days when the sunset is visible, there's also a complimentary wine service for guests from October until the early part of March. All rooms have a stunning ocean view, and the Japanese-style tatami rooms somehow feel more spacious than regular hotel rooms.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

Finally our long awaited dinner time! Suruga Bay's bounty from the sea lavishly decorates the evening dinner table. It was my first time to eat Spiny Lobster sashimi. The lobster had a fresh, firm texture and it turned out to be my favorite out of all the delicacies I ate.

Dogashima NEW Ginsui
Address: Shizuoka, Kamo district, Nishi Izu-cho, Nishina 2977-1
Telephone: 0558-52-2211
Official Site: Dogashima NEW Ginsui

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

The next day we have plans to board the Dogashima sightseeing boat, only ten minutes away from the NEW Ginsui. In Dogashima there's an attraction nicknamed the 'Blue Cave' (officially known as Tensodo Cave), so I'd really like to go and check it out! The sightseeing boat is 1200 yen for adults and 600 yen for children.

In only ten minutes after leaving the harbor we'll arrive at the cavern.

Photo courtesy of Shizuoka prefecture

After going a little further inside, a mystical and wondrous atmosphere slowly unfolds before our eyes! From the large opening in the ceiling, rays of sunlight pour into the cavern illuminating the surface of the clear and blue water, creating a magical spectacle.

Back at the sightseeing boat's wharf there's an eatery, a souvenir shop and a convenience shop and the whole area is alive and bustling with visitors.

The bus stop is also conveniently located nearby. Though it's hard to say goodbye after such a wonderful time, from here we'll take a bus headed back for Tokyo.
In one hour we'll arrive back at the familiar looking Shuzenji and then after another hour we'll reach Mishima. While still making good use of our Tokai Bus-Free Pass, we leave the central area of Izu and head along the west coast until we reach our final destination. Next time in the not too distant future, I'd like to try going around Izu's east coast!

Sponsored by Shizuoka prefecture