East Izu Driving Guide: Ito, Izu Kogen and Kawazu Route with Map

The East Izu area is a string of seaside towns on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture: Ito, Higashiizu and Kawazu. Route 135 and Route 414 link Ito and Izu Kogen, where Omuroyama and the Jogasaki Coast are, with the hot-spring towns of Atagawa and Inatori and with the Kawazu Nanadaru waterfalls and loop bridge. This page sets out a one-day drive south from Ito to Kawazu and back over Amagi Pass, how to time a visit for the pampas grass and the Kawazu cherry blossoms, and lists the roads and places to stop.

Map of the East Izu area

The line on the map is the route described below under "First visit: one day from Ito down to Kawazu, back over Amagi Pass". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Hover over or tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Ito down to Kawazu, back over Amagi Pass

Start at Michi-no-Eki Ito Marine Town and go round Komuroyama Park, Lake Ippeki, Omuroyama and the Jogasaki Coast in Izu Kogen. Take Route 135 through Atagawa and Inatori to Kawazu, then climb Route 414 past the Kawazu Nanadaru waterfalls and the loop bridge to Michi-no-Eki Amagi-goe at Amagi Pass. It is about 75 km and about 2 hours 20 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and do not include traffic. This route uses no toll roads.

From Amagi-goe you can return towards Numazu on the Shuzenji Road and the Izu Chuo Road. Each costs ¥200 for a standard car, and you can pay only by cash, coupon tickets or ETCX. ETC cards and credit cards cannot be used.

For views: the Izu Skyline

The Izu Skyline (40.6 km) runs along the ridge from Atami Pass to Amagi Kogen, and takes about 1 hour to drive end to end. The tolls are ¥500 from Atami Pass to Kamenishi Pass, ¥500 from Kamenishi Pass to Hiekawa and ¥300 from Hiekawa to Amagi Kogen. The toll booths are open from 6:00 to 22:00. You can pay only by cash, coupon tickets or ETCX; ETC cards and credit cards cannot be used.

In autumn: the pampas grass at Inatori Hosono Kogen

From 30 October to 29 November, the pampas grass viewing is held at Inatori Hosono Kogen. It is open from 10:00 to 16:00, and entry is ¥1,000 for adults (including ¥400 in vouchers for the town's shops). The car park holds about 100 cars and is free. Vehicles that seat 11 or more are not allowed. It is about 15 minutes from Inatori on Route 135.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

The numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Higashiizu and Kawazu have no roadside stations. To the south, Michi-no-Eki Kaikoku Shimoda Minato in Shimoda has space for 207 standard cars.

Best seasons and crowds

Busy places and times

• Route 135 is busy around central Ito at about 10:00 and 16:00 even on ordinary days.
• In Golden Week the drive on Route 135 from Atami to Izu Kogen can take up to about 2 hours. When it is busy, you can rest at Michi-no-Eki Ito Marine Town and wait for the road to clear.
• During the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, the drive from Atami to Izu Kogen takes about 1 hour 5 minutes at around 11:00 on a holiday.
• Komuroyama Park has traffic jams during the azalea viewing period.

Closures and restrictions (as of 26 October)

• The Izu Skyline has no restrictions today. In September it was closed over its whole length twice because of heavy rain.
• The Kawazu Nanadaru loop bridge on Route 414 has alternating one-way traffic until March 2027 for repainting. The Shin-Amagi Tunnel also has alternating one-way traffic from 8:00 to 17:00 until November.
• Alternating one-way traffic for roadworks is planned at several places on Route 135 in Ito, Higashiizu and Kawazu.
• Mine Onsen Daifunto Park in Kawazu is closed until 2 November.
• The volcanic alert level for the Izu-Tobu volcano group is 1.

Getting there and fuel

On holidays it takes about 1 hour on Route 135 from Atami to Izu Kogen.

There is no official list of petrol stations in the towns. Fill up before you join the Izu Skyline and before you cross Amagi Pass. The EV rapid chargers are at Michi-no-Eki Ito Marine Town.

If you don't have a car

Shops in Shizuoka Prefecture include one at Mishima Station. Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. If you are picking up a car at the airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best one-day drive in East Izu?

Go round Komuroyama, Lake Ippeki, Omuroyama and the Jogasaki Coast in Ito, then take Route 135 through Atagawa and Inatori down to Kawazu and climb past Kawazu Nanadaru and the loop bridge to Amagi Pass. It is about 75 km and about 2 hours 20 minutes of driving, with no toll roads.

Can I pay the Izu Skyline toll with an ETC card?

No. You can pay only by cash, coupon tickets or ETCX. The toll for a standard car is ¥1,300 for the whole road.

Can I walk up Omuroyama?

No. You go up to the summit by lift, which costs ¥1,000 for adults return. The lift is closed from 7 to 18 December for maintenance.

When is the pampas grass at Inatori Hosono Kogen?

The viewing runs from 30 October to 29 November, 10:00 to 16:00. Entry is ¥1,000 for adults, and the car park is free.

When is the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival?

In 2027 it runs from 6 February to 7 March. About 1,700 car park spaces are set up across the town during the festival.

Nearby areas and guides

• Hakone Driving Guide: Lake Ashi, Owakudani and Sengokuhara Route with Map
• Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
• Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return