Izu
Discover Izu: Local Culture and Life Shaped by Nature
Set along Japan’s Golden Route between Tokyo and Kyoto and Osaka, the Izu Peninsula offers a quieter side of Japan, rich in nature and long-standing local traditions. Based in Shuzenji, about a 40-minute drive from Mishima Station on the Shinkansen, this three-day journey introduces travelers to local food, culture, and ways of life shaped by Izu’s natural environment.
Tour Overview
Location & Access
By Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima Station
- Tokyo → Mishima: approx. 45–60 min.
- Kyoto → Mishima: approx. 2 hrs.
- Osaka → Mishima: approx. 3 hrs.
From Mishima to Shuzenji
Approx. 40 min. by private vehicle
Who is this for?
- Travelers looking to experience Japan beyond its famous sightseeing destinations, through local culture and everyday life
- Those interested in food traditions shaped by the local environment, including wasabi and tea
- Travelers interested in local craftsmanship, farming traditions, and the people who sustain them
- Those who prefer a slower pace, with time to enjoy nature and connect more deeply with the destination
Tour Facts
- Length of Trip: 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Meeting Point: Mishima Station (around 11:00 AM on Day 1)
- End Point: Mishima Station (around 12:30 PM on Day 3)
- Physical Activity: Low
- Style: Private Tour
- Guide: English-speaking Guide
- Capacity: 2–10 Guests
- Transportation: Private Vehicle
- Nights: 2 Nights in the Shuzenji Area
- Accommodation: Historic ryokan offering a distinctive cultural and architectural experience (subject to availability)
- Best Season: Year-round
*Tea-picking experiences are generally available from mid-April to June and from mid-September to October.
*Outside the tea-picking season, alternative seasonal experiences such as strawberry picking can be arranged.
Sample Itinerary
Departure times and time spent at each location may vary depending on the pickup location, traffic conditions, and guests’ preferences.
DAY 1 | Discover Izu’s Water and Food Culture
Around 11:00 AM
Meet your guide at Mishima Station and visit Kakita River Park, known for its crystal-clear spring water and beautiful natural scenery.
Continue to a traditional wasabi farm, where you’ll discover how Izu’s abundant water has shaped its food culture and local ways of life.
Photo courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association
Photo courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association
DAY 2 | History and Craftsmanship in Shuzenji
AM
Explore Shuzenji’s historic streets and bamboo grove with your guide. Then, learn about Shuzenji washi, a papermaking tradition with more than 1,000 years of history, and try making washi by hand.
Through this hands-on experience, discover a craft that has been passed down through generations in the region.
PM
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at your ryokan. Relax in the onsen and take time to simply enjoy the atmosphere and slower pace of Shuzenji.
Photo courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association
DAY 3 | Izu’s Nature and Farming Traditions
AM
Experience Izu’s local farming traditions through a seasonal activity such as tea picking or strawberry picking. Discover how the region’s natural environment continues to shape its food culture and local way of life.
Activities can be arranged according to the season and guests’ interests.
Around 12:30 PM
The tour concludes at Mishima Station. The end time can be adjusted to accommodate guests’ onward travel plans.
Suggested Accommodation
Stay at a distinguished ryokan in Shuzenji, where traditional Japanese hospitality and a sense of history come together amid the area’s rich natural surroundings.
Accommodation is subject to availability. An alternative property of a similar standard may be arranged.
