Things to do in Izunokuni

I really like the scenery, quietness and hot springs of the Izu Peninsula, and of course the restaurants with pure Japanese menus. Although it is a bit embarrassing, it is super exciting; I look forward to visiting in three weeks.

Located at a popular hotspring town. It is pretty packed when i visited on a weekend afternoon. The temple isnt very big. Quite pretty during autumn!

The cactus zoo at the foot of Mount Omuro is incredibly soothing. Over a thousand different cacti of varying shapes and sizes grow in the greenhouse, creating a spectacular sight. Most of the animals roam freely, and the most endearing are the Kapibala, who relax in the hot springs with a gentle and docile demeanor. You can even hand-feed the red pandas and alpacas. This unique blend of flora and fauna is gentle and healing, making it an unforgettable and tender memory of your trip to Izu.

Mishima Taisha Shrine is a must-visit in Shizuoka. When I visited, the main halls were under renovation. There were quite a few pigeons, and some cherry blossoms were in bloom, including weeping cherry trees. I also saw some golden osmanthus. According to the information, Mishima Taisha Shrine is the first shrine in Izu Province, with a history of over 1300 years. When Yorimoto was exiled to Izu, he prayed here for the revival of the Minamoto clan, and after succeeding, he greatly expanded the shrine.

It’s really nice to come to Mount Omuro when the weather is nice. It takes just a few minutes to reach the top of the mountain by cable car, and you can see endless scenery as far as the eye can see. If you have time, you can also go to the shrine or go to the archery range at the bottom of the valley. There are souvenir shops at the bottom of the mountain and Shizuoka Prefecture’s famous Wasabi ice cream.

It’s a fun experience. You get to see the Torii gate from afar.

Price is about the same as buying over the counter, except that we didnt have to queue in line. It's basically a skywalk with a nice view of Mt Fuji. Skywalk seems new. There were also ziplines right beside the skywalk that kids were playing (requires additional cost to play). Across the bridge, there were some food stalls, restaurant and an animal petting store. Overall good for about 2hours.

Chose to visit the Mount Fuji Instagram-famous spots on Trip.com's recommendation, and I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing and enjoyable experience. The itinerary included memorable locations such as Arakurayama Sengen Park, Hikawa Clock Shop, Oshino Hakkai, Kawaguchiko Lawson, and Lake Kawaguchi Oishi Park—each offering its own breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji. Our tour guide (Hikari) truly made the trip special: not only was he friendly, but he was also impressively patient throughout the day, making sure everyone felt comfortable and had enough time to enjoy each spot. The pace of the tour was just right, allowing for leisurely sightseeing and ample opportunities for taking photos—perfect for capturing those Instagram-worthy moments!If you're considering this day trip, I recommend bringing your camera and a light jacket, as weather around Mt. Fuji can change. The service from Trip.com was smooth and easy, making the whole experience stress-free.

Lake Ashi is located in Hakone, a famous hot spring resort in Japan. The greenery of the cedar forest trail is super beautiful. Walking on the trail, you feel like you are in the forest. The water of Lake Ashi is clear, the lakeshore is beautiful, and the cruise ships are circling the lake. The Torii in the lake is one of the iconic buildings in Hakone, which makes people feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.

The structure is so unique that we can see it in other places. It is a World Heritage Site, but it is not well-known. Therefore there are a little people, so I highly recommend you to visit if you wanna know 1870’s.