9 Tranquil hotels and ryokans on the Izu Peninsula
Dining area at the Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan
The Izu Peninsula is one of the most underrated destinations in Japan. It’s only a few hours from Tokyo and Osaka, but we couldn’t believe how quiet and tranquil the trip was, even during Japan’s busiest holiday season.
Although the Izu Peninsula looks compact on a map, driving around the whole peninsula can take around five hours without stopping. Each part of the peninsula also has its own unique character, so choosing the right accommodation can make a big difference to your itinerary.
We’ve put together this post with the most tranquil hotels and everything you need to know to plan your stay on Japan’s Izu Peninsula around hot spring towns, dramatic coastlines and mountain forests away from the crowds.
Contents
How to book the best hotel on the Izu Peninsula
Tips for planning a trip to Izu Peninsula, Japan
Why visit the Izu Peninsula
How to get to the Izu Peninsula (by train, bus or car)
The best time of year to visit the Izu Peninsula
Mobile data in Japan
Tours to the Izu Peninsula
Where to see Mount Fuji from the Izu Peninsula
Quickly compare the best hotels in Izu
We’ve narrowed down the best hotels and ryokans on the Izu Peninsula with the highest ratings and reviews. We’ve included all of the details below, but here is a quick overview. The prices per night depend on the season, but we’ve included a range for easy comparison:
Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan (Yugashima): Traditional riverside ryokan surrounded by forest, with open-air hot spring baths and dining overlooking a rushing stream.
Prices from AUD $300
Ochiairo (Yugashima): Luxury ryokan with preserved historic architecture, cave-style hot springs, and exceptional kaiseki dining.
Prices from AUD $1800
Izu Marriott Hotel (Shuzenji): Modern resort-style hotel surrounded by forest, with spacious rooms and natural hot spring baths.
Prices from AUD $400
Yukairou Kikuya (Shuzenji): Historic ryokan with traditional Japanese rooms, multiple private hot springs, and beautiful gardens.
Prices from AUD $390
Kouyurou Ikawa Ryokan (Izunokuni-city): Contemporary Japanese ryokan with private hot spring baths and a rooftop open-air onsen.
Prices from AUD $250
Kamenoi Hotel (Izu Kogen): Modern onsen hotel with infinity-style ocean views, family-friendly facilities and rooms overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Prices from AUD $450
Shimoda Tokyu Hotel (Shimoda): Seaside resort with panoramic ocean views, an open-air hot spring, and outdoor pool.
Prices from AUD $350
Fugaku Gunjo (Toi): Luxury boutique ryokan with private open-air baths and spectacular views across Suruga Bay towards Mount Fuji.
Prices from AUD $1300
Il Azzurri Nishina (Nishi-Izu): Stylish oceanfront hotel with sunset views and rooms overlooking Suruga Bay.
Prices from AUD $550
Mayu Futahari (Nishi-Izu): Luxury ryokan overlooking Dogashima, with private open-air baths and refined kaiseki dining.
Prices from AUD $900
How to book the best hotel on the Izu Peninsula, Japan
While the Izu Peninsula feels less-travelled than some other destinations in Japan, the best hotels and ryokans are usually boutiques with a very small number of rooms. Some stays are also only available to book on certain platforms. We’d recommend booking your accommodation ahead of your trip through Agoda or Booking.com as they usually have the most flexible cancellation policy in case plans change.
Private hot spring bath at the Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan
Room by the river at the Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan
Tips for travelling to Izu, Japan
Why visit the Izu Peninsula
While some of Japan’s most famous destinations become more crowded each year, the Izu Peninsula offers a slower and more peaceful alternative to your Japan itinerary. In Izu, you can completely immerse yourself in Japan’s natural landscapes and enjoy its beaches, forests and volcanoes without any of the crowds of Tokyo or Kyoto. There are incredible hotels and ryokans all over Izu, and traditional Japanese cafes and restaurants in every small town. After a week-long road trip around the Izu Peninsula, we felt it was the most peaceful and immersive experience of Japan we’ve had of the many times we’ve travelled there.
The best time of year to visit the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula is a year-round destination. Summer is the most popular season if you are heading for the beaches. June is Japan’s rainy season, but July and August are still warm and ideal for swimming and diving.
Spring is also one of the most beautiful times to visit as cherry blossoms are in bloom. Kawazu is the best area for this in early February. Otherwise, autumn and winter are usually the clearest times for seeing Mount Fuji from the west coast.
Mobile data in Japan
We compared many mobile data plans for our trip to Japan and found the best option was Airalo’s Japan eSIM. Airalo has a range of plans, starting with 7 days. It’s the most convenient way to arrange data, as the amount can be tracked and topped up at any time in the Airalo app.
How to get to the Izu Peninsula
The Izu Peninsula is easily reached from Tokyo, making it a great destination for a weekend getaway or short road trip. While the peninsula has two railway lines and a network of local buses, renting a car is the best way to explore Izu. We’d really recommend renting a car as many of the peninsula's most scenic coastal viewpoints, hidden beaches, waterfalls, and mountain attractions are difficult or time-consuming to reach by public transport. We also found driving in Japan to be very easy.
By train
The JR Tokaido Shinkansen has direct connections from Tokyo to Atami in around 40–50 minutes and Mishima in 45–60 minutes, both of which are convenient gateways to the peninsula.
If you're heading further south, the Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko limited express trains travel directly from Tokyo to Shimoda, stopping at Atami (around 80 minutes) and Ito (around 100 minutes) before reaching Shimoda in approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.
Local trains also serve the peninsula, although journeys are slower and often require transfers.
By tour
An overnight tour is one of the most convenient ways to stay on the Izu Peninsula, with all transport taken care of. We’d recommend checking out this Two day tour from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula which can be booked on GetYourGuide (note that this trip does not include accommodation, which needs to be booked separately).
By car
If you’re planning to drive, we’d recommend booking a car in Japan through Rentalcars.com because it compares prices across all of the major hire companies. Note that even though you might hire a car through one of the usual major car hire companies, you may find that they operate through a local company once you get there. But other than the initial confusion of trying to find the right rental car company counter, this isn’t an issue at all.
You can check for available hire cars here:
The best hotels and ryokans on the Izu Peninsula
North Izu
Mountains and Hot Springs
The north of the Izu Peninsula is one of the most tranquil places to enjoy onsens surrounded by lush forests, rivers and waterfalls.
We’d recommend staying in this area for at least two nights for an immersive nature retreat.
Viewpoint of Joren Falls, Izu Peninsula
Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan
Our stay at the Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan was the highlight of our time on the Izu Peninsula. It is a traditional ryokan that sits beside a mountain stream in the forests of Yugashima, inland on the Izu Peninsula. It has open-air hot spring baths (including some rooms with private baths), and a beautiful dining area serving kaiseki cuisine next to the rushing water.
Rooms at Mizunomichi Kazenomichi Yugashima Tatsuta Hot Spring Ryokan start from around AUD $300 per night.
Ochiairo
Ochiairo is an unbeatable luxury accommodation option that feels more like a nature retreat. It has been awarded a One MICHELIN Key for heritage, architecture, hospitality, and design.
With over 140 years of history, it blends traditional Japanese architecture with modern conveniences. The building in Yugashima has been beautifully preserved, with cave-style hot springs and private open-air baths in a forest setting in the Amagi Mountains. The dining is highly recommended and there are also free-flowing snacks and drinks included in the stay.
We’d recommend Ochiairo for anyone looking for an immersive, cultural stay on the Izu Peninsula that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to Japanese culture.
Rooms at Ochiairo start from around AUD $1800 per night.
Izu Marriott Hotel Shuzenji
Set in the historic town of Shuzenji, the Izu Marriott Hotel combines modern, international comfort with the natural beauty of central Izu. There are spacious rooms available with private onsens and many resort facilities surrounded by nature, including golf and tennis.
Rooms at the Izu Marriott Hotel start from around AUD $400 per night.
Yukairou Kikuya (Shuzenji)
Yukairou Kikuya is a historic ryokan with vintage architecture and riverside gardens. There are multiple private hot spring baths, restorative massages and onsite-cafes serving specialty brews. Rooms can include private balconies or terraces with garden or lake views.
This ryokan is ideal for exploring local temples and bamboo groves in central Izu (located very close to the Shuzenji temple).
Rooms at Yukairou Kikuya start from around AUD $390 per night.
Kouyurou Ikawa Ryokan
Kouyurou Ikawa Ryokan is an ideal mid-range ryokan for exploring the northern areas of the Izu Peninsula. It’s located in the historic Izu Nagaoka Onsen area and includes private hot spring baths, a rooftop open-air onsen and creative kaiseki-style cuisine.
Rooms at Kouyurou Ikawa Ryokan start from around AUD $250 per night.
East Izu
volcanoes and cliffs
The east coast of the Izu Peninsula is the best place for nature lovers with rugged volcanic coastlines and some of the most iconic landscapes on the peninsula.
We’d recommend staying in this area for at least one night to see the Jogasaki Coast and hopefully catch Mount Fuji from Mount Omaru.
Rocks on the Jogasaki Coast, Izu Peninsula
Kamenoi Hotel Izukogen
Kamenoi Hotel Izukogen is a stylish, modern onsen hotel with spectacular infinity-style ocean views. It is set on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and many rooms include private balconies or terraces. The hotel also provides a complimentary shuttle service from Izu-Kogen Station, which is perfect for anyone visiting without a car.
Rooms at Kamenoi Hotel Izukogen start from around AUD $450 per night.
South Izu
coastal getaway
If you’re looking for a beach getaway, South Izu is the perfect destination with crystal-clear turquoise waters.
We’d recommend staying in this area for at least two nights to try local seafood and relax in the coastal atmosphere.
Iwachi Beach, on the coastal drive from east to south Izu
Shimoda Tokyu Hotel
Shimoda Tokyu Hotel overlooks one of the most beautiful coastlines on the Izu Peninsula. The resort has has panoramic ocean views, a scenic open-air hot spring and outdoor swimming pool. We’d recommend staying here for very easy access to Shiraham Beach and Shimoda’s historic town centre.
Rooms at Shimoda Tokyu Hotel start from around AUD $350 per night.
West Izu
The best place to see Mount Fuji
If you’re lucky, Mount Fuji can be seen across the water from the west coast of the Izu Peninsula from viewpoints like Koganezaki Cape, Koibito Misakiand Kumomi Shore.
However, Mount Fuji isn’t always visible so we’d recommend spending a bit of extra time on the west of the Izu Peninsula to increase your chances. In the meantime, explore the beautiful Dogashima Coast.
Fugaku Gunjo
Fugaku Gunjo is an luxury ryokan-style resort overlooking Suruga Bay and on clear days, it has breathtaking views Mount Fuji. There are only a small number of suites, and each one has a private open-air hot spring bath. The architecture has been designed to maximise the dramatic coastal landscape and sunset views, which are some of the most memorable Japan.
Fugaku Gunjo has been awarded One MICHELIN Key for its exclusive setting and sense of place. It has high levels of personalised service and refined kaiseki dining featuring local seafood and seasonal ingredients.
Each suite features a private open-air hot spring bath, while guests can enjoy exceptional kaiseki dining and one of the most memorable sunset experiences in Japan. Rooms at Fugaku Gunjo start from around AUD $1,300 per night.
Il Azzurri Nishina
Il Azzurri Nishina is located along the stunning coastline of Nishi-Izu, with dramatic rock cliffs and clear water. It is a stylish oceanfront resort that has been designed to make the most of spectacular sunset views. Every room here overlooks Suruga Bay and some include private saunas. We’d recommend this option for anyone wanting a mid-range stay on the west side of Izu, perfect for exploring the Dogashima Coast.
Rooms at Il Azzurri Nishina start from around AUD $550 per night.
Mayu Futahari
Mayu Futahari is a luxury ryokan overlooking Dogashima and Suruga Bay. It has a very relaxed, seaside atmosphere with only a handful of suites and private open-air baths. We’d recommend this stay for its uninterrupted ocean views, which look incredible at sunset.
Rooms at Mayu Futahari start from AUD $900 per night.
