Izu is one of those places that works well for a day trip from Tokyo if you want to see a different side of Japan without making things too complicated. We did this trip by taking the Odoriko train from Shinagawa Station to Ito Station, then using buses and a short Uber ride to get around the area.

If you are planning a similar trip, this route lets you see some of Izu’s most popular nature spots in one day, especially if your main goal is to visit Mount Omuro and Jogasaki Coast.

Getting to Ito Station from Tokyo

We booked the Odoriko train from Shinagawa Station and went to Ito Station. You can also board from Tokyo Station depending on your schedule. If you want something more scenic and a little more special, the Saphir Odoriko is another option.

If you are planning ahead, it is easier to reserve your train tickets in advance through platforms like Klook or Trip.com. That way, you do not need to worry about buying everything on the same day. If you are early enough, you may also be able to buy tickets at the station machines, but reserving in advance is better if you do not want extra stress.

Taking the Bus to Mount Omuro

Once we arrived at Ito Station, we took the Number 5 bus outside the station going toward Mount Omuro. This part is important because once you reach Ito, you still need to rely on local transportation, so it is better to check your route ahead of time and not assume everything will be as frequent as it is in Tokyo.

Mount Omuro is a very easy first stop because the area around it already has restaurants, souvenir shops, and nearby attractions.

What to Expect at Mount Omuro

When we got to Mount Omuro, we first looked around the area at the base. There were souvenir shops, food stalls, and restaurants, so it is a good place to eat before going up if you are already hungry.

We had lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant there that served the food in handmade ceramics. It was a little pricey, but the meal was good, and it felt like a nice stop before continuing the day.

To go up Mount Omuro, we bought the round-trip chairlift ticket, which was 1,000 yen per person. The chairlift takes you to the top, and once you get there, you can walk around the entire crater. That is the main attraction. Mount Omuro is basically a volcanic crater, and the walking route around the top gives you wide views of the area.

The path itself is not too difficult, but it was cold when we went, so bringing an extra layer is a good idea. We also stopped along the way to take photos near the red gates, which is one of the most recognizable photo spots there.

There is also archery in the crater area, although it can be affected by weather conditions. We saw that it was there, but it seemed to stop at one point, so that is something to keep in mind if that is one of the reasons you want to visit.

Izu Shaboten Zoo Is Right Nearby

One thing that is useful to know is that Izu Shaboten Zoo is right across from the Mount Omuro area, so it is very easy to combine both if you have extra time. This is a good option if you want to add another stop without needing to travel far again.

The zoo is especially known for its capybaras, which is one of the reasons many people want to visit. So if you are already going to Mount Omuro, it makes sense to at least consider adding Izu Shaboten Zoo to your route, especially if you like animals or want to make the trip feel more full.

From Mount Omuro to Jogasaki Coast

After Mount Omuro, we took the bus to Jogasaki Coast, which was another main stop on our trip. If Mount Omuro is more about elevated views and a crater walk, Jogasaki Coast is more about rocky coastal scenery, the ocean, and walking trails.

This area is famous for its volcanic rock formations and suspension bridge. It is one of the most photographed places in Izu, and once you get there, it is easy to see why. The views are very open, and the whole area feels very different from Tokyo.

We spent our time walking, climbing on some of the rocks, and taking pictures. It is also a nice place if you want to move around a bit without doing anything too intense.

The Walking Trails at Jogasaki Coast

There are two walking trails around Jogasaki Coast. One route near the coast is longer, but still easy. The other route is also manageable. Neither one felt especially difficult, so this is a good place even if you are not trying to do a serious hike.

That is one reason this trip works well as a day trip. You can do a lot of walking and see a lot, but it does not feel too exhausting if you pace yourself properly.

Jogasaki Coast is also free to visit, which is good if you want to balance out the cost of train tickets and the Mount Omuro chairlift.

Shops, Food, and Nearby Stops

There were also some restaurants and smaller food shops near the Jogasaki Coast area, so if you still have time before heading back, you can stop for snacks or a quick meal.

There was also a garden museum near the pathway around Jogasaki Coast, although it closed at 5 PM, so it is better to go earlier if you want to include that too.

Be Careful With the Return Trip

This is probably one of the most important things to mention if you are planning the same route.

Once it gets later in the day, transportation around this area becomes more difficult. This is not the kind of place where you can assume buses are constantly coming. It feels much quieter and more rural, especially compared to Tokyo.

Because of that, make sure you pay attention to the last train and bus timings. I remember the return timing being around 5:15 PM or 5:30 PM, but you should definitely double-check on the day of your trip because missing your connection can make the trip back stressful.

One thing that really helped us was Uber. We were worried because transportation options were getting limited, but we were able to book an Uber and use it to get to Izu-Kogen Station. From there, we were able to transfer and head back toward Tokyo.

That is something I would strongly recommend keeping in mind if you are doing this route. Download Uber in advance and make sure your app is working, just in case you need a backup way to get back to the station.

Is This Route Worth Doing?

If you want to do Izu as a day trip, I think this route works well because it gives you a good mix of sightseeing without feeling too repetitive. Mount Omuro and Jogasaki Coast are very different from each other, so the day does not feel like you are just seeing one type of scenery over and over again.

Mount Omuro is a good stop if you want views, a short chairlift ride, and an easy crater walk. Jogasaki Coast is better if you want coastal scenery, walking trails, and a more rugged landscape. Then if you still have time, Izu Shaboten Zoo is right there as an extra stop.

Final Tips If You Want to Copy This Route

If you want to do a similar trip, these are the main things to keep in mind:

Book the Odoriko or Saphir Odoriko in advance if possible.

Go to Ito Station first, then take the Number 5 bus to Mount Omuro.

Bring a jacket or an extra layer because it can get cold at the top of Mount Omuro.

Try to go earlier in the day so you have enough time for both Mount Omuro and Jogasaki Coast.

If you have extra time, add Izu Shaboten Zoo since it is right near Mount Omuro.

Check the last buses and trains carefully because the area gets difficult later in the day.

Keep Uber as a backup in case you need a ride to Izu-Kogen Station or another nearby station.

Overall, Izu is a good day trip if you want nature, a scenic train ride, and a route that feels different from the usual Tokyo spots. This one worked well for us because it was simple enough to do in one day, but still had enough stops to make the trip feel full.

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