Matsuzaki Flower Garden

PARK

Matsuzaki Flower Garden is an area where the locals plant many varieties of flowers. Over the span of a few months the different flowers bloom and attract many visitors snapping up pictures. The garden also features scarecrows (both human and animal) with differing themes.

There is a free car park available.

Review

I recommend coming to visit the area during cherry blossom season (mid-March – early April) as the river across the road is lined with cherry blossom trees and rapeseed flowers, so if you come during this time you get to see two in one! Make sure to check the website or social media platforms to see if/what flowers are blooming before you travel. The flowers bloom at different times so if you want to see a specific variety then you’ll need to time your trip well!

ADDRESS

Matsuzaki Wild Flower Garden,
Naka,
Matsuzaki,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3626

+81558420745 (Japanese only)
https://izumatsuzakinet.com/category/news/hanabatake/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Matsuzaki Flower Garden is easiest to get to by car as public transport on the West side of Izu can be quite sporadic. If you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Mishima to Shuzenji on the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line. Switch to the bus bound for Matsuzaki (松崎) and ride until the end of the line. You’ll then need to switch to the bus to Shimoda (下田) and get off at Fusekura Bridge (伏倉橋). Alternatively you can also take the train all the way to Shimoda from Tokyo (switching at Atami Station) and then take the bus bound for Matsuzaki.

21st Century Forest

VIEWPOINT

21st Century Forest is by far one of my favourite viewpoints in the whole of the peninsula. Designed specifically for the “21st century people”, it was made to bridge the gap between people and nature. There is a nature path through the forest with an adventure course and temple along the way.

There is a large free car park available.

Review

21st Century Forest is yet another accidental find while driving about the peninsula. It can be quite difficult to find as you have to drive up the mountain roads, away from the village. You can find this in the middle of nowhere on the mountain. There are some small villages nearby but otherwise there is nothing else in this area other than mountains and forests. The road up can get pretty narrow, with you having to pull in to the side if there are cars coming the other way. It also isn’t very well kept so there is usually a lot of branches/rocks on the road so be careful if you’re driving up. Also don’t drive too fast as there are a lot of sharp bends!

When you arrive make sure you head over to the seating area. The view from here is spectacular! I recommend visiting during golden hour as the view is the best then, although the drive back down the mountain is pretty scary at dark so only do this if you’re ok with night mountain road driving. Feel free to even bring a picnic with you and look out at the scenery, although be warned that there can be a lot of bugs here dependent on the season.

I would recommend heading to the adventure park to the right of the car park first (slightly back along the road you arrived in). This is a good ara for kids to run about and expel a lot of energy. It also seems suitable for adults.

Heading along the nature trail you’ll come across a small temple with many statues. I’m not sure if this temple is in business or if no one lives/works here. Every time I’ve visited it’s seemed abandoned. Have a look around before heading along the rest of the nature trail.

I haven’t been around the whole trail myself yet so I can’t advise how difficult it is. I’ve walked for around 20 minutes and the trail seems to be a downhill slope, although this could change later on. I’ll definitely head back for the walk when the weather is nice enough and there aren’t any mosquitos waiting to suck the life out of me!

ADDRESS

21st Century Forest,
Kadono,
Matsuzaki,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3607

Phone number unavailable
Website unavailable

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

21st Century Forest is impossible to get to with public transport. The closest you can get is Matsuzaki and then you would have to take a taxi up, however it’s a long drive and there’s not much reception to call a taxi back when you’re there. I only recommend this if you have a car!

Cape Omoide

VIEWPOINT

The Izu Peninsula’s west coast is full of breathtaking, overlooked viewpoints, waiting to be explored. Cape Omoide (or Cape Memory) is said to be named after the spectacular view which will be engrained into your memory. On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji and it’s definitely a place I personally recommend for the beautiful sunset.

You should be able to use this car park.

Review

Cape Omoide is another amazing spot that will be carved into your memory forever. If you stand in the right spot you can manage to get the stones to frame Mt. Fuji (on a clear day) so it’s a very famous spot among locals for taking pictures. It doesn’t seem to be that well-known among the foreigner community so it’s likely that you won’t see many people around if you visit.

The town of Kumomi is very small so there’s not too much to do nearby. I recommend coming here to relax and take in the view in amongst the other things in your itinerary. There is also apparently a whale museum nearby but I still haven’t had the chance to visit it.

ADDRESS

Cape Omoide,
Kumomi,
Matsuzaki,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3615

+81558450844 (Japanese only)
https://www.surugawan.net/guide/590.html (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Cape Omoide is easiest to get to by car as public transport on the West side of Izu can be quite sporadic. If you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Mishima to Shuzenji on the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line. Switch to the bus bound for Matsuzaki (松崎) and transfer to the bus bound for Kumomiiriya (雲見入谷). Alight at Kumomi Beach (雲見浜).

Ishibu Rice Terraces

VIEWPOINT

Ishibu Rice Terraces are man-made with an amazing view of Matsuzaki and the Suruga Bay. On a clear day you are also also to see Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps. They were originally abandoned and restored by the locals in 2000. They have also won awards such as “Shizuoka’s Best Sightseeing Spot”. In May, the rice fields are lit up with candles so make sure to visit if you’re in the area.

There is a free car park available at the observation deck. You can walk down to the rice terraces to look at them as there isn’t parking nearer.

Review

Ishibu Rice Terraces are a great sightseeing spot, although there isn’t much to do here. If you enjoy looking out at the ocean or viewing night illuminations then definitely come by and visit. It’s a little out of the way and can be a bit difficult to get to so unless you’re a fan of great views then maybe give this a miss.

I recommend parking at the observation deck, taking some pictures and then walking down to see the rice fields from up close.

ADDRESS

Ishibu Rice Terraces,
Ishibu,
Matsuzaki,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3616

+81558420745 (Japanese only)
https://www.ishibu-tanada.com/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Ishibu Rice Terraces are easiest to get to by car as public transport on the West side of Izu can be quite sporadic. If you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Mishima to Shuzenji on the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line. Switch to the bus bound for Matsuzaki (松崎) and switch to the bus bound for Shimoda (下田). Alight at Fujiminoen bus stop.

Muro Iwa Cave

CAVE

Originally submersed under water, the Izu Peninsula was created after many volcanic eruptions causing it to rise to above sea level. Due to the underwater sea erosion and volcanic ash falling to the seabed, Izu stone is very sought after thanks to its striped pattern. The streaked pattern makes the stone soft and easy to process so it was used to create many stone structures during the Edo period, such as the Edo Castle in Tokyo.

Muro Iwa Cave is a quarry which closed as recently as 1954, although it remains open to the public for tourism. They light the cave up from 8:30 to 17:00 every day. On the opposite side there is also a small, hidden area where you can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

There is a small car park available at the side of the road.

Review

The cave is a fun place to go if you’re prepared to walk down (and up on the way back) all the stairs leading to it. There is a rope to help you steady yourself but the stairs are a killer. They’re very steep and also quite small so it can be difficult to make your way down.

After you have braved the stairs you will find the cave entrance. There are a few different paths you can take but it doesn’t matter which way round you go. Make sure to stop and appreciate the statues showing how life was there in the cave when the quarry was still open.

Make sure you don’t miss the back entrance. Heading through it takes you to this small hidden spot where you can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day and all the surrounding coastline. There is only one entrance to this spot so you’ll have to head back through the cave to reach the exit.

I wouldn’t recommend coming all the way for the cave itself but definitely have a look around here and the other interesting spots nearby if you’re in the area. The west coast of Izu is full of hidden viewpoints which will take your breath away so if you’re a nature lover then definitely head down to have a look!

ADDRESS

Muro Iwa Cave,
371 Michibu,
Matsuzaki,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3618

Phone number unavailable
http://kanko.city.izu.shizuoka.jp.e.jj.hp.transer.com/form1.html?pid=2534 (Google Translated English available)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Muro Iwa Cave is easiest to get to by car as public transport on the West side of Izu can be quite sporadic. If you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Mishima to Shuzenji on the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line. Switch to the bus bound for Matsuzaki (松崎) and get off at Matsuzaki (松崎). There is no bus to take you any further so you can either walk 30 minutes or take a taxi there.