Izu Experiences JapanPlan & book

Travel notes

Izu travel notes

Straight answers to the questions visitors send us, from people who live and work in Izu‑Kogen.

Izu-Kogen · OnsenTattoos and onsen in Izu‑Kogen: the rules and what to askAkazawa asks guests with tattoos not to enter, except where its own standards permit. For two other hotels near Izu-Kogen: what to ask before you pay. Izu-Kogen · Getting aroundNo car in Izu‑Kogen: taxis, local buses, or a guideNo car in Izu-Kogen? Taxis do most of the work, but you have to call them. How to get one, rough fares, when the bus is enough, and when a guide makes sense. Izu-Kogen · SightsMt. Omuro chairlift: hours, price, closuresThe only way up Mt. Omuro is the chairlift. Official hours and price, why it stops, the 7–18 December 2026 maintenance closure, and what to check on the morning. Getting here · Tokyo to Izu-KogenTokyo to Izu‑Kogen: Odoriko or Shinkansen?Take the Limited Express Odoriko: about 2 hours from Tokyo Station to Izu-Kogen with no change. Seats, tickets, luggage and rail passes, from locals. Getting around · Rail passesIs the Izukyu Discovery Pass worth it?Only if your single fares, ropeway included, would top ¥5,800 in 2 days. By local train, Shimoda and the ropeway alone fall short. Sums from official fares. Izu-Kogen · LuggageIzu‑Kogen luggage: ask your hotel firstAsk your hotel to hold your bags; the station locker is the fallback. Three Izu-Kogen hotels, sending a case ahead, and what fits on the train. Izu-Kogen · WorkshopsIzu‑Kogen hands-on workshops: prices, ages and bookingPottery, glass candles, soba and nigiri sushi: what each of our four Izu-Kogen workshops costs, how long it takes, age limits, and which need a booking. Izu-Kogen · SeasonsMt. Omuro yamayaki: when the mountain burns, and where to watchEach February, weather permitting, Mt. Omuro's grass is set alight and the whole mountain burns. When, where to watch, joining in, and postponements. Izu-Kogen · SeasonsIzu‑Kogen Gran Illumi: open this winter, and getting backGran Illumi's 12th season runs 6 November 2026 to 31 August 2027. Prices, last entry, and why you should plan a taxi back to Izu-Kogen Station.