The Izu Islands (伊豆諸島 Izu-shotō?) are a group of volcanic islands stretching south and east from the Izu Peninsula of Honshū, Japan. Administratively, they form two towns and six villages; all part of Tokyo Prefecture. The largest is Izu Ōshima, usually called simply Ōshima.
Blessed by its wonderful natural environment, superb scenery and an abundance of natural hot springs, Hakone is one of the leading tourist attractions in Japan. Very close to Tokyo! Enjoy the Hakone hot springs at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Notes: This post is created on the assumption that you will be going by Car
Day 1 - Mount Omuro, Jogasaki Coast.
1. Set your Car Navigation to go through the Toyo Turn pike road. It is a toll road, but a beautiful drive. You can use the phone number 0465-23-5321 - Use this no to reach Seven Eleven just in front of Toyo turn pike road. Just ahead of this take right. Sign board is there to enter the Toyo Turn Pike Road. I recommend going through this route to enjoy the natural beauty !!
2. Set Car Navi to Mount Omuro from Seven Eleven area. Navigation phone number is 05-5751-0258 At 580m high, Omuro is the highest peak in the area, and there`s no path: you`re carried to the top in a fun few minutes in a rope way chairlift. The first things you find when you get there are a lookout point and Sancho-Baiten, a small shop where you can buy snacks and souvenirs. Its a very good experience !!
3. Next place we visited is Jogasaki Coast. Set car navi to 0557-51-2056 from Mount OmuroThe Jogasaki Coast is a beautiful section of coastline along the Izu Peninsula's eastern coast. An almost ten kilometer long hiking trail with beautiful views of the jagged cliffs and stone formations follows the coast.
The section around the 23 meter long and 48 meter high Kadowakizaki suspension bridge attracts the most tourists and is easily accessible from the parking area.
It is also possible to view the Jogasaki Coast from sightseeing boats. Cruises last about 30 minutes and depart every 40 minutes except for a break around lunch time. The fare is 1300 yen per person.
4. We Stayed at Pension Sakura-ya http://izu-sakuraya.jp/english/ Telephone: 0558-23-4470 (Mr. Yamamoto) E-mail: pension@izu-sakuraya.jp
Day 2 - Izu Dougashima Cave tour, Animal Kingdom
1. Set the car navi to 0558-52-0013 to reach Dougashima
Dogashima Coast is an important tourism base in Nishi-Izu area, Shizuoka Prefecture. Near the coast, there are spots such as Orchid Resort Dogashima, where there is a hot spring and more than 8400 species of orchids, and Peer Dome Teso, where the scenery of Izu is shown to visitors with a realistic image in a large dome-type theater. Enjoy various aspects of nature here at Dogashima Coast.
Address: Dogashima, Nishina, Nishiizu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka
Phone: 055-852-1268 (Dogashima Tourist Infomation)
It was an interesting boat ride which lasted about 25 mins. We cruised around the bay looking at the eccentric rock formations and was able to catch a glimpse of the mighty Mount Fuji against the horizon.
We also cruised along the Sanshiro-Jima Island and then we entered into the Tensodo Cave on the boat. The cave has an opening hole on top of the roof.
2. Animal Kingdom - Izu Set the navi to 0557-95-3535
Address is 〒413-0411 静岡県賀茂郡東伊豆町稲取3344番
〒413-0411 3344 Inatori, Higashiizu Town
This is a Zoo and small amusement park. You can walk in a herd of animals to watch them from every angle in our new facility “Walking Safari” zone. Even in our restaurant, you can also enjoy watching animals through glasses.
Please make your day in the “Play Zone” with the go-cart, Ferris wheel and other attractions and the “Sports Zone” for shooting or putting golf. New amusement equipment “Sandy Creek” has been installed first in Shizuoka Prefecture.
3. Traveled to Hakone from Izu. We stayed at YAJIKITA NO YU (弥次喜多の湯)
The place where we stayed is only 3 mts walk from Hakone Yumoto station. The place is really good and well maintained.
There are 6 types of Onsen(hot springs) included open-air bath with jacuzzi, unique cypress bath etc, which can be used for a private. All the guests can completely relax enjoying the various Onsen
[Address] 694 Hakoneyumoto, Ashigarasimo-gun, Kanagawa
[Tel] +81-460-85-6666
[Access]
3 min walk from Hakone-Yumoto station.
Free parking available
Day 3 : Hakone sightseeing
We have parked the car near station. One day parking fee is 1000 JPY
Parking place number is 046-085-6111 (Fujiya Hotel Number) near to the parking place
We followed this route Hakone Yumoto > Gora > Sounzan > Owakudani > Togendai Ko
1. Take train from Hakone Yumoto station to Gora
This train line is Japan's foremost mountain rail road. You can see beautiful mountains and scenic beauty from the train.
2. From Gora you can take the cable car to
Sounzan. Its a nice ride !!At Gora station you can visit the shops near to the station and do some shopping.
3. From Sounzan take the Ropeway to Owakudani Valley
. Sounzan is the last stop for the cable car. From Sounzan the next mode of transport is Ropeway !!
At an elevation of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), Owakudani Valley is the explosion crater resulting from the final phreatic eruption 3,000 years ago of Hakone's highest peak, Mount Kamiyama. Volcanic smoke still rises up even today, making it one of Hakone's most well-known scenic spots.
The Hakone Ropeway service operates at approximately one-minute intervals
4. Owakudani Valley to Togendai by Ropeway
10-minute journey from Owakudani to Togendai Station, which nestles on the shore of Lake Ashi, allows visitors to take in such spectacular views as the crystal-clear blue waters of Lake Ashi, the rising volcanic fumes of Owakudani and the grandeur of Mount Fuji on a fine, sunny day.
After Lake Ashi you can either come back the same route (ropeway > Cable car > Train) or you can take a bus near Lakeh Ashi and come back to Hakone Yumoto
Hope this information will be useful someone who is travelling to Izu and Hakone. These 2 places are a must see places near Tokyo. Travelling around June~Sept might be a good time to visit these places.
References