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Getting from Tokyo to Izu

Izu Peninsula, known for its striking coastal views, lush mountains, and rejuvenating hot springs, is the perfect day trip from Tokyo! Located about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo, Izu is easily accessible via several options. The fastest and most popular route is the JR Tokaido Shinkansen, which whisks you from Tokyo to Atami, the famous seaside city at the entrance of the Izu Peninsula, in under one hour. Alternatively, driving to Atami takes around 2 hours, allowing you to explore the rest of the peninsula at your own pace. With charming seaside towns, beautiful hiking trails, and exquisite local seafood, here are the best ways to get from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula!

 

1. Shinkansen (bullet-train)

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Hopping on the Shinkansen is the easiest and fastest way to the Izu Peninsula. The JR Tokaido Shinkansen provides direct access to Atami Station and Mishima Station from Tokyo, taking about 40-60 minutes one-way. However, one drawback is that the Shinkansen only stops at these two cities, located at the northern entrance of the Izu Peninsula. If you plan to travel to Shuzenji, Ito, or Dogashima, you must transfer to local trains or buses to reach your destination.

Price

A one-way ticket to Atami from Tokyo via the Tokaido Shinkansen costs around 4,270 JPY, while a ticket to Mishima costs slightly more at around 4,600 JPY. The journey via Shinkansen is covered under the Japan Rail (JR) Pass and partly by the JR Tokyo Wide Pass.

Where to book

Tickets can be purchased at JR ticket offices, the Shinkansen vending machines at the Shinkansen stations in Japan, or online through the JR Central website. Alternatively, you can buy the Japan Rail pass through the Rakuten Travel Experience, which grants unlimited rail travel across Japan!

 

2. Train

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Besides the Shinkansen, Izu Peninsula is also easily accessible via several limited express trains or local trains. These trains usually travel along the East Coast of Izu, with some going as far as Shimoda on the peninsula's southern tip. There are two JR Limited Express trains, “Odoriko” and “Saphir Odoriko,” the latter being a luxury travel option with only Green Car and Premium Green Car seats. Both limited express trains allow you to reach Atami in around 80 minutes, Ito in 100 minutes, and Shimoda in 160 minutes.

Meanwhile, there are also local trains, such as the Tokaido Main Line, which runs from Tokyo to Atami and takes just under two hours. From Atami Station, other local train options allow you to reach destinations on the Izu Peninsula, such as Kannami, Numazu, and Ito.

Price

The price for a one-way ticket to Atami Station with the Odoriko train is around 3,560 JPY and around 6,640 JPY with the Saphir Odoriko. Meanwhile, the local train to Atami will cost you about 1,980 JPY, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers.

The Japan Rail Pass is valid for the Odoriko and local trains up to Ito and Mishima Stations, with an additional fee required for stations past those stations. However, if you have the JR Tokyo Wide Pass or JR East Pass, the journey all the way to Shimoda is fully covered.

Where to book

You can purchase these tickets at JR Ticket offices or the JR East website. Advanced reservations are required since the Saphir Odoriko carries only Green Car and Premium Green Car seats. If you are traveling around eastern Japan as well, you can purchase the JR East Pass on Rakuten Travel Experiences.

 

3. Bus

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Although Tokai Bus operates a strong network of buses on the Izu Peninsula, these are mainly used to travel within the region rather than to the peninsula. However, buses from Tokyo reach Mishima and Numazu on the peninsula's northern tip. Depending on traffic conditions, the trip takes around two hours.

Price

A one-way ticket costs around 2,400 JPY, making it a cost-effective choice.

Where to book

Tickets can be bought at the bus terminal, although there is usually a discount if you reserve a ticket in advance online. If you are traveling to Mishima, tickets can be purchased from the Tokai Bus website. If you are headed to Numazu, tickets can be bought from the Fujikyu City Bus website.

 

4. Driving

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Taking a road trip to Izu is a great way to enjoy the scenic views and gives you flexibility in your schedule. The car ride to Atami is around 2 hours with tolls and 3.5 hours if you decide to avoid the toll roads.

Price

The price for rental cars varies depending on the season and the size, but expect to pay starting around 10,000 JPY per day for a standard-size vehicle. Make sure to budget for additional costs such as fuel and highway tolls.

Where to book

For a fuss-free experience, you can book through Rakuten Travel Rent-A-Car. Make sure you have an international driving permit or a Japanese driver’s license on hand to use.

 

5. Where to stay

 

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