Izu Reviews

Sightseeing Spot: Mt. Omuro (Izu Kogen)

2009-04-26T02:32:00.000-07:00

If you travel down into Izu, Mt. Omuro is one of those sites that are hard to miss. Located near Ito and Izu Kogen, it is a dormant volcano covered in tall grass. I have not been able to find out how and why it is devoid of even a single tree, but it doesn't matter - Mt. Omuro is something to see!

Ride the chair lift a short four minutes to the top, 580 meters above sea level. A lovely path can be walked around the crater, which is 300 meters in diameter. As you walk, the panoramic views are breathtaking. On a clear day you can see the Izu Islands, Hakone, Mt. Fuji, the Amagi Mountains, and the resort town of Izu Kogen. You can even try your luck at archery within the crater itself!

A festival is held every 2nd Sunday of February for the burning of grasses on the mountain. There is also a park at the foot of the mountain called 'Sakura-no-sato'. It contains over 3000 cherry trees of 35 different varieties, which bloom off and on from September to April.
Access: Mt. Omuro can be reached by bus from Ito Station (35 minutes) or Izu Kogen Station (15 minutes). There is ample parking for those who drive.

Review: Izu Winery Chateau T.S. (Shuzenji)

2009-01-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

Located in the very center of the Izu Peninsula, the Izu Winery Chateau T.S. is a wonderful place to stop when traveling near Shuzenji.The Napa Valley-style winery and surrounding vineyards produce 12 different types of wine. All can be sampled in their free wine tasting room, or take a tour of the facility to see how its made.

We usually stop here for lunch as there are a number of options to choose from. Connected to the main patio is the 'Terrace Cafe California', a very reasonably priced Italian buffet (2,100 yen for adults, less for children). This buffet may only be available on the weekends/holidays. Upstairs is a smaller open-air cafe which offers a few pastas, pizza, curry and rice, and other standards. There is also a more upscale Italian restaurant, and a garden barbecue area for those who want to 'do-it-yourself'. This is a great option for families.

On the weekends local vendors often have tables set up for selling their goods. Local crafts, fruit, foods,...

Hours of Operation: Weekdays 9:30am - 18:00, Weekends and holidays 9:00 - 18:00

Open year round.

Phone: 0558-83-5111

Getting there: The winery is 20 minutes by bus from Shuzenji Station, and there is plenty of free parking for those coming by car.

The official website, only in Japanese: http://www.izuwinery.com/

Here is a map and bus timetable (in Japanese): http://www.winery-hill.co.jp/access/index.html

Although I have never seen it, the winery also has a hotel right down the street.

Spa Review: Marine Spa (Atami)

2007-04-19T01:41:00.000-07:00

The Atami Marine Spa is actually not a 'spa', but a health and fitness facility. There are three floors:

1) On the first floor there are two sections. One contains a 25 meter swimming pool, a 'lazy river', small water slide, and kids thermal pool. The other is a 'health zone', with a hydro pool, saunas, water jets, bubble seats,...
2) On the second floor is a lobby which contains a sitting area, restaurant, bathing suit shop, reservation desk, and 100 yen massage chairs. The restaurant serves the basics: curry, spaghetti, noodle dishes, ice cream,... Regular dress is required in this area.

Also on this floor are the locker rooms, which are connected to a traditional style 'naked' hot springs indoor bath. These baths are separated by sex, but the rest of the facility is open to everyone.

3) On the third floor are massage rooms, and an open air heated pool which is open from March to October.
Upon entering the facility each guest takes off their shoes and puts them in a locker. Then, at the front desk, everyone is given a wristband with a bar code. Anything purchased during the visit is charged to the wristband, and the total is paid when exiting. Towels are not part included in the entrance fee, but can be 'rented' at the front desk for 157 yen.

Towels can also be obtained at the reservation desk on the 2nd floor. Swimsuits can be rented for 315 yen. Face towels can be purchased for 210 yen. Those interested in getting a massage can sign up at this desk. Massages can be booked in 20 minute increments. A 40 minute 'foot and body' massage costs right around 4000 yen.

The facility also has a 'Body Design Laboratory' (check body composition,...) and a 'Physical Measurement Corner'. Japanese is necessary in these areas, and an extra fee is charged for using them.

This is a great place for a group of ladies, couples, or families. If you do not have children, I recommend visiting on a weekday when school is in session. It is very quiet and you'll have most of the place to yourself. Another option is the evening, when there are reduced rates.

If you are looking for a traditional hot springs bath, this isn't the place to go. But, a big advantage of the Marine Spa is that the water is not too hot. I sat in the rooftop bath for almost an hour, without any problems. It was heaven.

Admission Fees:

High School and Above - 1,300 yen, Children - 650 yen

Night-time Only Adults - 700 yen, Children 350 yen

Hours of Operation:

March to October 9:00 - 21:00 (last entry at 7:30)

November to February 10:00 - 21:00 (last entry at 7:30)

Closed on Thursdays.

Address: Atami City, _____ 4-39

Phone: 0557-86-2020

Access:

By train) The bullet train, Limited Express Odoriko, and JR Tokaido Line all go to Atami from Shinagawa Station. I recommend the Limited Express Odoriko as the best value. All seats are reserved, and the train only stops at major stations. JR often run round trip specials. The normal price is 3300 yen, one way. We got a round trip ticket for 4600 yen.

By car) There are many options, Atami is the gateway to the Izu Peninsula.

http://www.marinespa.com/

Sightseeing Spot: Cape Tsumekizaki (Shimoda)

2007-02-15T02:38:00.000-08:00

Tsumekizaki is a short drive from downtown Shimoda. A cape with lighthouse, it is most famous for its carpet of 3 million daffodils. Originally they grew wild here, but more have been planted on 10 hectares of coastal hills facing the Pacific Ocean. They bloom from mid December to late January. Parking here costs 500 yen. In addition to the daffodils, there are shops selling food and flowers, a greenhouse, garden, rape flower field, and trails up to the lighthouse. I definitely recommend visiting during the daffodil season. It is gorgeous!

Hotel Review: Kurhaus Ishibashi (Shimoda)

2007-02-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

While searching for a traditional style family inn in Izu, my husband and I came across the website for the Kurhaus Ishibashi at Rendaiji-onsen, in Shimoda. It was winter, so our main goal was to find a nice hot springs bath. The photos looked fantastic and as I am not a big fan of exotic and raw seafood, we chose their 'no meals' plan for 8400 yen per person, per night. By using a Japanese discount travel website, we actually paid 5000 yen per person as it was low season.

Upon arrival, I was very excited. The 100 year old building was beautiful, just like the website. We were greeted by the 'Mama-san' in her kimono, and I was happy to hear that she spoke some English. Then, she took us down a long tunnel. It turns out the rooms are on the other side of a hill from the main building. Very interesting. Then, things took a turn for the worse. The corridors just off the tunnel were covered in cheap, beat-up plywood, and the floors were covered in old, stained red carpet. And, the corridors were freezing!

After turning a number of corners, we reached our room. I like old, traditional style inns, but this one has not been maintained. Our room was clean, but it was really rundown. The paint was flaking off, nails stuck out here and there for no reason, window locks didn't work,... I was really disappointed. We did have a cool view from our room though, a pond! That is the reason why we were turning so many corners, all the rooms are built around it.

As for the onsen, it did look as nice as the photos, but the water was not quite hot enough. I don't actually like it really hot, but I had to sit inside the sauna boxes to really warm up. It was my first time to try one of these individual boxes where your head sticks out, and I quite liked it!

I suppose we got what we paid for, but I was really happy we had not paid the regular price. I think I was most disappointed because the potential for being an incredibly unique inn was easily attainable. The place just needed a lot of TLC and an 'attention to detail'. We did meet the husband and son of the 'Mama-san'. They didn't seem to have any interest in running an inn. Perhaps that is why it is falling apart. It is a real shame.

Here is their website: http://www.kur-ishibashi.com/english/index.htm