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Izu Peninsula
Izu Peninsula
Izu has some of the best cycling within easy reach of Tokyo. There are quiet roads through the centre of the peninsula, and spectacular hilly coastal roads. In the north there are stunning views of Mt Fuji, and in the south and west the coastal views are breathtaking. [Photos here]
There are now a number of initiatives to promote cycling. Here are some useful links for cyclists.
Merida X Base: Merida Cycles has a large store and cycling centre near Takyo station, just north of Shuzenji <Google Maps>. The website has a number of courses with Strava data, although some follow main roads.
Tourist Information, Shuzenji: Staffed by Marco Favaro, an Italian cyclist tasked with developing cycling in Izu. They have cycling maps of the peninsula and plans for much more.
The Crank: A cycle themed Italian restaurant with a pizza oven near Shuzenji station. You can take your bike inside.
Guesthouse Sora: A cycle-friendly guesthouse / hostel in Yumigahama, on the southern coast of Izu. There is a kitchen for guests to use and a wood stove in the lounge area. It is a few minutes walk from the beach which is usually good for swimming. The owner is a sea kayak guide who does tours of the stunning geopark. <Website>
1. Western Izu
1. Western Izu
Mishima-Yumigahama-Mishima (213 km loop, road)
Access: Starts & finishes at Mishima Station (Shinkansen and regular trains)
A two-day ride on mostly quieter roads through the western side of Izu. Guesthouse Sora, run by a sea kayak guide, is highly recommended. Okada fish restaurant is very good.
2. Izu Clockwise Loop Day 1
2. Izu Clockwise Loop Day 1
Shuzenji-Ito-Shimoda- Irozaki (91.3 km, road, hilly)
Access: Starts at Shuzenji Station which is the terminus of Izuhakone Tetsudo-Sunzu Line
Facilities: Just outside Shuzenji station there is a Tourist Information office staffed by Marco Favaro, an Italian cyclist tasked with developing cycling in Izu. They have cycling maps of the peninsula and plans for much more.
Camping: The southern tip of Izu Peninsula is fairly wild and deserted, so there is plenty of opportunity for wild camping. However, you will need to carry water.
Day 1 of a two-day coastal loop of the Izu Peninsula, much of it on quiet backroads, and consequently quite up and down. By starting at Shuzenji station, you can avoid the busy coast road from Atami to Ito.
3. Izu Clockwise Loop Day 2
3. Izu Clockwise Loop Day 2
Irozaki-Matsuzaki- Heda-Numazu Station (114.9 km, road, hilly)
Access: Starts near Irozaki (see Day 1 above) and finishes at Numazu Station. There are a few local trains direct to Tokyo.
Facilities: In Matsuzaki, there is a vending machine selling bike inner tubes, and there is a pump next to the vending machine.
Day 2 of a two-day coastal loop of the Izu Peninsula. The ride to Matsuzaki along the UNESCO Geopark is absolutely stunning. From Matsuzaki to Heda, the route follows the coast road, which is a little busy near the main towns, but never too bad. There is a tiny public rotemburo (Sawada Park Open-air Bath) on the cliffs overlooking the sea in Dogashima, which has a picture-perfect bay dotted with pine-clad rocks. From Heda to just outside Numazu City, the road is once again very quiet and very scenic. The last section to Numazu station is on backroads and cycle routes.
4. Odawara to Minami-Izu via Amagi Pass
4. Odawara to Minami-Izu via Amagi Pass
Access: Starts from Odawara railway station; finishes in the fishing village of Suzaki on the Tsumekizaki Peninsula, near Shimoda.
Accommodation: There are several minshuku in Suzaki. Genbei-ya is basic but clean with a small onsen. It is just 7-8,000 yen with two meals.
You can easily pick up Route 3 "Izu Clockwise Loop Day 2" to continue around the west coast of Izu up to Numazu railway station. Here is the GPX file.
This route winds along the old road south of Odawara, avoiding the busy coast road. From Yugawara, you climb steeply and then descend towards Atami, before climbing steeply again (up to 22%), past the Museum of Modern Art, and up towards Izu Skyline of Route 11. You take a tunnel beneath the Skyline, and follow Route 135 through beautiful countryside. Check the profile: there is a lot of up and down!
You then take Route 59 which climbs up to Kokushi Pass before descending to Route 414 which is the main central route through Izu. You climb up to the Amagi Tunnel which is about 1 km long. Usually, you can bypass the tunnel by taking the old road through the Old Amagi Tunnel, but it is currently (2023-2024 closed for construction works). This is well worth doing if you have gravel tyres.
The descent on the 414 is excellent, especially winding around the Kawazu Nanadaru Loop Bridge. It is then mostly easy going to Suzaki.
Other Websites
Other Websites
Izu Perfect Cycling Courses
Izu Perfect Cycling Courses
Cycle Sports has a wealth of information in Japanese on cycling in Izu. You can view and download courses from a Ride with GPS page.
Merida X Base
Merida X Base
Merida Cycles has a large store and cycling centre called Merida X Base near Takyo station, just north of Shuzenji. The website has a number of courses with Strava data, although some follow main roads.
Google Sites
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