Cape Tarai Cave

VIEWPOINT

Minami Izu is famous for its gorgeous coastlines and Cape Tarai is no different. With a stunning view of the surrounding coastline, as well as a view of the Cape Tarai cave, you’re spoiled for choice here! The cave itself is close to the Toji entrance so if you’re coming by public transport then it’s the opposite entrance.

There is a free car park available here.

Review

If you’re in the area to see Cape Tarai then definitely don’t miss the cave! You can see it at multiple points along the nature walk, or if you only want to see this without the effort of the climbing then you can park at the car park and walk a little to see it. You can actually see it first before you get to the stairs.

The cave is pretty, especially when photographing it along the numerous viewpoints along the route. I definitely recommend bunching this with the cape walking trail as there isn’t really much to do if you’re just coming to look at the cave.

ADDRESS

Cape Tarai Cave,
Minato,
Minami Izu,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
415-0152

+81558620141 (Japanese only)
http://www.town.minamiizu.shizuoka.jp.e.jv.hp.transer.com/docs/2013031200903/ (Google Translated English available)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Cape Tarai is easiest to get to by car, however if you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Atami to Shimoda on the Izukyu Line. Switch to the bus bound for Irozaki Port (石廊崎港) and get off at Kyukason bus stop. The cape is a 20 minute walk from the bus stop.

Cape Tarai

VIEWPOINT

Minami Izu is famous for its gorgeous coastlines and Cape Tarai is no different. Getting here requires a bit of a hike, although there are multiple paths you can take according to difficulty. Bring your hiking boots as there are lots of stairs for you to climb! The climb is definitely worth the effort though. With a stunning view of the surrounding coastline, as well as a view of the Cape Tarai cave, you’re spoiled for choice here!

There is a free car park available here.

Review

This is definitely an unmissable sight for the hikers among you. You will have to climb up and down a lot of stairs (I recommend the nature route if you can handle the stairs). I drove and came in on the Toji route so I’m unable to tell you how the route is from the other side but I imagine it’s very similar.

The walk was quite hard for someone not used to climbing a lot of stairs. There are benches littered about the route for you to rest when you need to. You will walk past the Cape Tarai cave and round the winding, constantly ascending and descending route towards the cape if you’re heading from the Toji side. At the fork I recommend going the easy route first as you climb the stairs and take the nature route back to the fork.

Once you reach the cape you will be presented with a stunning view. Make sure you come here on a good day when the water is glistening as you will be lost for words by how beautiful it is! There isn’t much to do when you actually arrive at the cape, however it’s a great photo spot. There is also a table with benches so you could have a picnic here to rest.

Heading along the nature route will grace you with another great view. You will have to climb down lots of stairs until you reach sea level. There is a small rocky beach at the bottom which is also very pretty. The route back from here isn’t too interesting as it’s just climbing up the wooden stairs through the forest.

ADDRESS

Cape Tarai,
Minato,
Minami Izu,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
415-0152

+81558620141 (Japanese only)
http://www.town.minamiizu.shizuoka.jp.e.jv.hp.transer.com/docs/2013031200903/ (Google Translated English available)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Cape Tarai is easiest to get to by car, however if you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Atami to Shimoda on the Izukyu Line. Switch to the bus bound for Irozaki Port (石廊崎港) and get off at Kyukason bus stop. The cape is a 20 minute walk from the bus stop.

Hagachizaki Monkey Bay

PARK

Minami Izu is home to the largest wild monkey colony in eastern Japan. Home to around 300 monkeys you can sit back and enjoy families of monkeys wandering about the park. For an extra fee you can even purchase some food to feed the monkeys, although make sure to feed them through the caged window.

As the monkeys are wild they are allowed to roam free over the park so don’t be alarmed if the monkeys do anything unexpected.

There is a decent sized car park available.

Please be aware of the following rules before entering the park:

• Any children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Wheelchairs and carts cannot be used due to the steep slopes.
• Please refrain from wearing high heels and sandals due to the terrain.
• Do not get too close to the monkeys. Any direct contact is prohibited and do not look into the monkey’s eyes.
• Keep an eye on your personal belongings and children at all times.
• Smoking is prohibited within the park (including the car park).
• Pets are not allowed in the park or outside of your vehicle in the car park.
• No assistance dogs allowed.
• Do not feed the monkeys anything other than food purchased at the park.
• No eating or drinking within park grounds.
• No selfie sticks. The monkeys may take it or even be so surprised that they attack.
• Boats, jet skis and swimming in the sea is prohibited.

They also have a number of disclaimers:

• There may not be any monkeys when you visit the park due to the monkeys being wild animals. It is completely up to them whether or not they visit.
• The monkeys are wild and not accustomed to humans so there is a chance that they could cause harm. Please enter at your own risk.
• They do not hold responsibility for any dirt or damage to clothes or belongings.
• They do not hold responsibility for any injuries within the park.
• Take care of falling rocks from the cliff.

Review

The monkey park is a fun way to see Japanese monkeys in the wild, however it is extremely difficult to get to if you don’t have a car. If you’re staying in the Minami Izu or Nishi Izu areas then I definitely recommend making this trip along as there should be a bus that takes you nearby. Getting here from other parts of the peninsula is quite the trek!

At the top of the slope you will see the ticket office. You won’t need much Japanese here as there aren’t many ticket options. Outside there is a small bus which takes you down to the actual park. I think it is possible to walk down but I recommend waiting for the bus and let them take you.

Upon arrival you should hopefully see all the monkeys (unless you arrive on an unlucky day where there aren’t many to see). They should just be strolling or sitting about the park, sometimes curious by the humans. If you wish to feed them then there is a building here that you enter and buy some feed for the monkeys. The window area has a cage which you push the food through for the monkeys.

Aside from this there isn’t really much to do here. It’s mostly just to watch the monkeys and take some pictures.

ADDRESS

Hagachizaki Monkey Bay,
2622-1 Ihama,
Minamiizu,
Kamo District,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
415-0531

+81558670003 (Japanese only)
https://monkeybay.jp/ (Japanese only)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Hagachizaki Monkey Bay is extremely difficult to get to by public transport, requiring two bus changes if travelling from Shuzenji Station. I recommend visiting here by car.