Happy New Year 2024! Or, as we say in Italy, Buon Anno!

In last week article I've started to introduce you the Izu Peninsula, seen by a foreigner point of view.

This time I'd like to write about the Eastern part, which comprehends cities like Atami, Ito and Higashi Izu Cho (Inatori, Izu Kogen, Atagawa, etc.).

I've been in Inatori just a few days ago, for the New Year's Eve.

One of my favourite spots is a round shaped mountain called Mount Omuro:

It is surrounded by a beautiful park and its colour changes within seasons. Green during summer and brown in winter time, as its grass is burned in autumn, following a local tradition.

It is near Izu Kogen, a onsen village very famous all over Japan, as many rich people from Tokyo and Yokohama own there their summer vacation second houses.

Recently, as young people is moving to the big cities, the price of land is getting lower and so it could be a good chance to buy a piece of land down there!

You can rech the top of Mount Omuro by a lift and enjoy a stunning view from the top. In case of good weather you can also see Mount Fuji.

Close by, there are many small onsen villages, Atagawa, Akazawa and a small village named Inatori, very famous for its Kinmedai fish (Splendid alfonsino in english). It is a delicious red fish with golden color eyes that lives in deep sea.

All Izu Peninsula is surrounded by stony shores and especially the Eastern part, with very few sandy beaches, but it can be easily reached by train from Tokyo, contrary to the West coast.

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/destinations/izu.html

There are many high spots like Mount Omuro, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea, like the Hosono Plateau and the Inatori Highlands.

By following the coast going south you will finally reach Shimoda and the famous Shirahama Beach, located in the most Southern part of the Peninsula. I will introduce them in my next article.

Alberto