A Look at the Charms of Higashi-Izu, Shizuoka

This article is all about the introductory video "Higashi-Izu Town - Seaside and Mountains in the Sky - Long Version"（東伊豆町 ～満点の海山空～ ロングVer.), filmed by “higashiizu.”

If you're going on a trip, it's good to visit a place where there are plenty of attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
If you fancy a bit of splurge, why not stay at some luxurious hotels or ryokan (Japanese-style inns) where you can enjoy delicious gourmet cuisine.

If you're up for it, we recommend the town of Higashi-Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture, where you can enjoy leisure facilities and spectacular scenery.
You'll see a lot of popular tourist spots introduced in this video, that both Japanese and foreign visitors can enjoy!
Follow along with the video to see the beauty of Higashi-Izu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture!

Something for Everyone to Enjoy

Higashi-Izu boasts a wide range of touristic attractions for all generations to enjoy.

Source :YouTube screenshot

At the beginning of the video, you can see Hina dolls lined up on the steps of a shrine.
Hina dolls are Japanese dolls, only displayed on “Hina Matsuri” (Doll’s Festival), that is a traditional annual event to pray for the healthy growth of girls.
The Hina Doll decorations on the steps of Susanoo-Jinja Shrine are a sight to behold and will definitely look good on Instagram! There are a total of 118 steps decorated with Hina dolls!

Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden is shown next.
It is located close to the station, being only a 1-minute walk from Izu Atagawa Station off the Izu Kyuko Line.
With water lilies, fruit trees and other natural spots, this is a theme park that adults can enjoy as well.
During Golden Week and other holidays, events where you can interact with giraffes and other animals are held.

Thanks to a warm climate, Higashi-Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture produces a wide range of fresh fruits such as Mikan (mandarin oranges) and strawberries.
Some fruit farms welcome visitors with mikan-picking and strawberry-picking experiences when they're in season
Have a picking contest with your family and then see who can eat the most!

Enjoy Spectacular Views of Nature All Throughout the Day!

Source :YouTube screenshot

Inatori Hosono Kogen is a must-visit place in Higashi-Izu. It is shown in the video from 2:44
“Inatori Hosono Kogen” offers visitors a magnificent panoramic view of nature during daytime and a breathtaking star-filled night sky in the evening. It truly feels as though time has stopped.
The video does a pretty good job at showing what it's like, but as one might expect of something so beautiful, it pales in comparison to the real thing.
Just looking up at the bright stars in the sky is enough to have you feeling refreshed.
You will be surprised and pleased to find that such an amazing place exists in Higashi-Izu.

Even during the day, the landscape is vast and expansive, and you can feel the amazement and excitement from this video as it shows wind turbines spinning atop the hills with silver grasses fluttering in the wind.
You'll discover more and more about the beautiful town each time you watch the video.

Atagawa Ishihiki Dokan: A Well-Known Festival in Higashi-Izu

Source :YouTube screenshot

Higashi-Izu holds the famous “Atagawa Ishihiki Dokan Festival,” which is another must-see attraction.
It is shown in the video from 5:03.
The festival is held on the Atagawa Kaigan Dori street and its notable procession, Oishi-hiki (a procession pulling a sacred stone), starts from the Atagawa Yamato-kan hotel.
The Atagawa Yamato-kan hotel is easily accessible from Izu Atagawa Onsen Station, at just 8 minutes on foot.

What makes the festival special is the unique performance of strong men all pulling one big, heavy, square-shaped stone.
If you want to see powerful performances and magnificent fireworks, this is definitely the place to visit.
Another must-see feature is “Kashima Odori,” a dancing event held at Kashima shrine!
It is a good opportunity for you to experience traditional Japanese culture.

More Places to See in Higashi-Izu!

Source :Kitagawa Onsen Tourism Association

There's still more touristic attractions to visit in Higashi-Izu!
Being nominated as one of Japan's "Top 100 Moon Views," "Izu Kitagawa Onsen Moon Road" is also famous as a sacred place with spiritual energy and it's said that visitors may receive divine favor in the form of romantic luck, marriage fortune, and being blessed with children.
You can also visit the popular "Kurone Iwa-buro," a stone bath where you can enjoy the beautiful ocean scenery from an open-air spa.
An Onsen Ryokan (Japanese inn with hot spring facilities) is a good option for you to experience Iwa-buro. At Higashi-Izu onsen, "Tsuruya Kisshotei" and "Bousui" are two places we recommend staying at.

The local cuisine is also something you don't want o pass up when you're in Higashi-Izu.
If you're looking for fresh seafood, look no further than "Minato no Asaichi Market," a morning market held at the Higashi-Izu Town Office Parking Lot.
You can also enjoy gourmet food such as the delicious, fatty "Inadori Kinmei" (A type of fish).

If you're a golfer, then Inatori Golf Club is one of the best options for you, as it provides visitors with the Higashi-Izu cross country course.
Playing golf while looking out over the natural landscape of the town of Higashi-Izu is an exhilarating experience.

Summary of Higashi-Izu

This article may have introduced a lot of fascinating places in Higashi-Izu, but there's still more.
There are plenty more charms the city has left to offer.
If you're interested, be sure to investigate more about what the city has to offer!
The town entertains both Japanese and foreign visitors alike with its beautiful landscape and myriad of sightseeing destinations.
You're always welcome to visit the charming town, Higashi-Izu, in Shizuoka!

【Official Website】Izu Animal Kingdom
http://www.izu-kamori.jp/izu-biopark/en/