A Guide to Izu Kogen, a Popular Resort Area Packed with Diverse Attractions

In Izu Kogen, you can encounter a wide variety of natural scenery, including mountains, the sea, and lakes.
Each spot offers beautiful views that change with the seasons, so no matter when or how many times you visit, it never gets old.
In spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you can enjoy an impressive cherry tree-lined road stretching 3km in total length.
It is especially recommended for those who want to experience scenery that feels uniquely Japanese.
In summer, enjoy activities at the lake and sea while taking in spectacular views in the cool, comfortable weather.
In autumn, visiting fall foliage spots such as Lake Ippeki is a great way to enjoy picturesque autumn colors.
In winter, one of Izu Kogen’s unique highlights is the spectacular view of snow-capped Mt. Fuji.
It could be called one of the most distinctly Japanese landscapes of all.
One of Izu Kogen’s greatest appeals is that the best sightseeing spots and scenery vary depending on the season.
Try planning your visit around the views you want to see.

Izu Kogen is home not only to leisure facilities but also to many cultural venues, and with many artists running studios and shops there, it is also known as an area with a thriving art scene.
One especially recommended and well-known cultural facility is the Kawana Stained Glass Museum.
It displays around 300 pieces of British antique stained glass, mainly from the 1800s, and the light shining through the stained glass creates a dreamlike space.
While enjoying the feeling of stepping back into the 1800s, you can spend a relaxing and soothing time there.
For a leisure spot, Izu Granpal Park is highly recommended.
With a wide range of attractions including zip lines and water balloons, it’s a great place to get active and have fun to the fullest.
Izu Kogen is enjoyable not only for friends and couples, but also for families.

Izu Kogen is also home to a hot spring area: Izu Kogen Onsen in eastern Izu, located between Mt. Omuro and Jogasaki Coast.
At Izu Kogen Onsen, you can enjoy dishes made with local seafood and vegetables.
Be sure to savor the bounty of the sea and mountains through Japanese cuisine.
Enjoying Izu Kogen through its flavors is another part of the experience.
Some hot spring facilities are also available for day trips, which makes it easy and reasonably priced to enjoy a soak.
Using Izu Kogen Onsen as your base for sightseeing and leisure in Izu Kogen is highly recommended.

Mt. Omuro is an independent peak with an elevation of 580m, located in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Its distinctive upside-down bowl shape has made it a beloved symbol of Izu Kogen.
Formed by volcanic activity around 4,000 years ago, Mt. Omuro is a nationally designated natural monument and one of the largest scoria cones in the Higashi-Izu Monogenetic Volcano Group.
You can reach the summit in Approx. 6 minutes by chairlift. The Ohachimawari trail circles the crater remains and is a walking course of Approx. 1km, offering a 360-degree panoramic view that includes Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, the Izu Seven Islands, and even the Boso Peninsula.

Izu Granpal Park covers a vast area about the size of five Tokyo Domes.
It offers many different types of attractions, including the thrilling “Zipline, KAZE” that lets you glide through the air, the giant ship-shaped 3D maze “KAiZOKU,” and “Water Balloon,” where you step inside a balloon and walk on water.
There is also a full range of free playground equipment, from athletics for kids to bouldering that even adults can get hooked on, as well as a 110m slide.

This animal park features about 1,500 varieties of cacti and succulents from around the world and is home to around 140 animal species.
Inside the greenhouse, cacti, succulents, and forest cacti from four regions, Mexico, Madagascar, South America, and Africa, are cultivated. If the timing is right, you can also see cactus flowers in bloom.
At the park’s “Shaboten Hunting Workshop,” many cacti and succulents are available for purchase. You can choose your favorite cactus and pot and take home your own original creation.

A scenic spot that represents eastern Izu. It is designated as part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
It is a lava rock coast stretching for about 9km, formed by lava that flowed out during the eruption of Mt. Omuro around 4,000 years ago and later shaped by marine erosion.
It is also recommended to look down at the sea from the suspension bridge or take a sightseeing boat to view the cliffs from the water.

A crater lake on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula, formed by an eruption around 100,000 years ago. Its lake surface beautifully reflects the surrounding mountains and trees, earning it the nickname “The Eye of Izu.” The circumference is about 4km, and it takes Approx. 60 minutes to walk around it. A walking path is maintained around the lake, making it popular with hikers. Because the trail has few ups and downs, you can enjoy an easy walk while taking in the lake scenery.