Higashi Izu東伊豆

A sheer mountain rising from the sea and an intricate coastline. The area commands a distant view of O-shima Island on sunny days.

Higashi Izu (East Izu), facing the Sagami Sea, has a sheer mountain rising from the sea, and fishing ports such as Inatori, Hokkawa, and Katase located along its intricate coastline. It has an abundance of hot springs, and the Atagawa, Inatori, Katase and Okawa hot spring resorts have developed there.

The abundant and historical Atagawa-onsen Hot Spring is one of the representative hot springs in Higashi Izu. It is said to have been found by Dokan Ota, a warlord in the 15th century, while he was out hunting. It is a quiet hot spring resort that would take you less than an hour to tour around, and attracts visitors all the year round. Attractions include: a statue of Oyukake Benzaiten, a goddess believed to bring good fortune if you make a wish while pouring hot water over the statue; Takaisono-yu, an open-air bath from which you can enjoy the view of the sea; Atagawa Banana and Crocodile Park that has 300 crocodiles, some 27 different species in all; and the Tropical Botanical Garden.

The Inatori-onsen Hot Spring is a resort area that covers the whole of Cape Inatori, which sticks out on to the Pacific Ocean, and on sunny days you can see the distant O-shima Island, one of the seven Izu islands. The Izu Bio Park is a zoo at Inatori-kogen Highlands that houses 500 wild animals (50 species), and 600 birds (60 species), many of which are allowed to roam free.