Local Guide
 Tour the power spots of Izu and Ito, a sacred place for good fortune!

Fuji and the seven Izu islands, shrines famous for prayers for safe childbirth and fulfillment of love, and famous waterfalls filled with negative ions. Why don't you enjoy visiting sacred places where gods gather, places where you can feel the breath of nature, and places where you can think back to ancient times in the setting of stories steeped in history, and enjoy visiting power spots that will bring energy to your heart.

 (Photo courtesy of Ito Tourist Association)
(Photo courtesy of Ito Tourist Association)

A 10-minute walk from JR Ito Station, this shrine is located on the east bank of the Otonashi River (Matsukawa River), which flows through Ito city. Toyotamahime (Princess Toyotama), who is worshipped as the god of easy childbirth, is enshrined here. The number of ladles displayed at the shrine indicates that the shrine is believed in by many people.

It is also said that this was the place where Minamoto no Yoritomo and Yaehime met, and Tamagusu Shrine, dedicated to the two, is located in a corner of the shrine grounds. Next to the shrine is a large tabu tree, which is over 1,000 years old and is a heroic sight. As it is the setting of a love story from the late Heian period (794-1185), it is a good spot for those who wish to fulfill their love.

Local Guide Comment
It is not a big shrine, but it is a place where you can feel the elegance and history. The Matsukawa promenade is located behind Otonashi Shrine, so you can take a walk while enjoying the retro buildings and plenty of hot spring atmosphere.
Otonashi Shrine
  • Address 1-12 Otonashimachi, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
  •  Direction 15 min. walk from JR Ito Station
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0557-36-2700
  •  Parking None

Kuzumi-jinja Shrine is located in a quiet place, a little away from the central area of JR Ito City. It is a shrine with a long history dating back to the Heian period (794-1192). The most conspicuous tree in the shrine grounds is the "Big camphor tree," which is designated as a national natural monument. It is said that the tree is more than 1,000 years old, and its timeless presence is worthy of being called a "sacred tree. It is a power spot where you can feel that local people have prayed and visited since ancient times, believing that "a giant tree is a place where God dwells.

Local Guide Comment
The large camphor tree is mysterious! The pillars supporting the roof of the shrine's hand-watering basin are said to be from a former torii gate that was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
Kuzumi-jinja Shrine
  • Address 1-16-40 Babacho, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
  •  Direction 20 minute walk from JR Ito Station
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0557-37-1050
  •  Parking None
 (Photo courtesy of Ito Tourist Association)
(Photo courtesy of Ito Tourist Association)

Omuroyama is located about a 10-minute drive from Izu Kogen Station on the Izu Kyuko Line. Its beautiful figure, which looks like a bowl lying face down, can be seen from various places in Izu Kogen. From the top of the 580-meter-high mountain, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the Izu Kogen Plateau, Mount Amagi, Mt. Omuroyama has been a place of worship since ancient times, and the Omuroyama Sengen Shrine was built near the crater.

Omuroyama's mountain burning with a history of more than 700 years

 (Photo courtesy of Ito Tourist Association)
(Photo courtesy of Ito Tourist Association)

Omuro," a place of great spirituality, it is recommended to take a walk along the path around the crater to fully enjoy the seasonal beauty of the mountain. The summit can be reached by a lift, making it easy to enjoy a stroll. (Scheduled to be held on the second Sunday of February every year.) You will be empowered by the beautiful scenery that will stir your heart in spring and summer with its lush greenery, silver grass in autumn, and mountain burning in winter.

Local Guide Comment
The "Hachi Tour," which circles the crater, is a very pleasant walking course with an unobstructed view and a 360-degree panorama!
Omuroyama
  • Address 672-2 Ike, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
  •   Direction From JR Ito Station, take the Tokai Bus bound for Shaboten Koen (Shaboten Park). 40 minutes from the last stop.
  •  Business hours Lift: Mar-Sep 9:00-17:00 (last downhill at 17:15), Oct-Feb 9:00-16:00 (last downhill at 16:15)
    New Year's Day New Year's Day sunrise lift special operation 5:40-8:00 (tentative) *Normal operation (from 9:30) starts after the special operation ends.
  •  Closed No *Closed for Property inspection and maintenance
  •  Admission fee Free to walk around
    Lift (round trip): Adults 1,000 yen, children (4 years and older) 500 yen
  •  TEL 0557-51-0258 (Omuroyama Lift)
  •  Parking Free of charge

Amagi, which stretches across the central part of the Izu Peninsula. In the midst of these mountains lies "Joren no Taki Waterfall. The road to the waterfall, which leads to the side of the Wasabi River, was opened at the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912), but before that time, it was an inaccessible place due to its ethereal scenery, so much so that legend has it that a female spider was the master of the waterfall. Even today, the natural treasure "Joren-shi" ferns grow in clusters around the waterfall, and untouched nature still remains.

The sound of the cascading waterfalls echoing through the forest is impressive, and the waterfall basin is a mysterious emerald color. The water cascading down from a height of 25 m and a width of 7 m splashes violently and produces a large amount of negative ions. Combined with the refreshing coolness of the clear water, it is a healing spot with outstanding healing effects.

In 2018, the Izu Peninsula was selected as a UNESCO World Geopark, and Joren no Taki Falls is one of the geosites.

Local Guide Comment
You will be healed by the beautiful clear stream. Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) ice cream is a specialty, and the spiciness and sweetness are exquisite!
Joren Falls and Wasabisawa, a World Agricultural Heritage Site
  • Address 892-14 Yugashima, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
  •  Bus Direction From Kawazu Station on the Izu Kyuko Line, take the Tokai Bus bound for "Shuzenji" (about 50 minutes), and get off at "Joren-no-taki Falls".
  •  Hours of operation Free to visit (Joren-no-taki Waterfall Tourist Center 9:00-16:30)
  •  Parking Free of charge

Ryugugugutsu (Dragon Palace Cave), located a 15-minute drive from Izukyuko Shimoda Station, is a cave formed by the erosion of the soft strata of the cliff by waves crashing on the shore. Part of the ceiling has collapsed, leaving a large hole about 50 meters in diameter. From the promenade, look down at the skylight and take a peek inside. There you will find the heart-shaped interior of the cave. The shape of the cave has gained fame and is now famous as a power spot for romance.

The view from the roadside entrance down into the cave is also breathtaking. The contrast between the layers of volcanic debris on the cave walls and the blue sea water is beautiful. The mysterious scenery, with sunlight streaming in through the skylight and sparkling all around, is a sight that will captivate anyone's heart. This "Ryugugu Grotto" is also recognized as a UNESCO World Geopark and Geosite.

Local Guide Comment
It is truly a mystery of nature, so fantastic that you will want to watch it forever. There is a natural sand ski slope by the Ryugugugut Cave, which was created by a natural phenomenon, and you can enjoy sand skiing with a slope of 30 degrees.
Ryugugugut Cave
  • Address Tago, Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
  •  Bus Direction From Izukyu Shimoda Station, take the Tokai Bus bound for Taju (about 20 minutes), get off at Mae-no-hama Bus Stop, and walk about 3 minutes.
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0558-22-1531(Shimoda City Tourist Association)
  •  Parking Charged (summer)
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.