How do I get to Irozaki from Tokyo?

Take the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo to Atami Station, then transfer to the Izukyu Line to Izukyu-Shimoda Station. The train journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. From Shimoda Station, board the Tokai Bus heading to Irozaki, which takes around 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive via Route 136, though be prepared for narrow, winding coastal roads.

Is there an entrance fee to visit Irozaki?

No, visiting the cape itself and walking along the coastal paths is free of charge. However, if you wish to visit the Irozaki Jungle Park, there is a separate admission fee of approximately ¥1,000 for adults to access the ropeway and elevated viewpoints.

What is the best time of year to visit Irozaki?

Irozaki can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather conditions. Winter months provide the clearest visibility for viewing the Izu Seven Islands offshore and Mount Fuji on exceptionally clear days. Summer can be hot and humid, though it's popular for water activities. Avoid visiting during typhoon season, typically from August to October.

Can I visit the inside of Irozaki Lighthouse?

No, the Irozaki Lighthouse is not open to the public for interior visits. Built in 1933, the lighthouse serves as a scenic landmark and photo opportunity from the exterior, but visitors cannot climb it or enter the structure.

What activities are available at Irozaki besides sightseeing?

Beyond coastal walks and scenic viewpoints, the clear waters around Irozaki are popular for diving and snorkeling due to excellent visibility and diverse marine life. You can visit the Irozaki Jungle Park to see subtropical vegetation and take the ropeway for elevated ocean views. The area also features the statue from Yasunari Kawabata's "The Dancing Girl of Izu" for literature enthusiasts, and several local restaurants serve fresh seafood.

Shizuoka

Cape Irozaki, Minamiizu

Sublocality Level 2SublocalityPolitical

Last updated Sep 4, 2026

Irozaki is a scenic cape located at the southernmost point of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The cape extends into the Pacific Ocean and has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the region. Its name, which translates to "Color Point," derives from the distinctive reddish-brown volcanic rock formations that characterize the coastline, created by ancient underwater volcanic activity millions of years ago.

The cape holds significant cultural importance as part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, designated in 1936. The area gained particular fame when novelist Yasunari Kawabata featured it in his 1933 short story "The Dancing Girl of Izu," which brought national attention to the peninsula's natural beauty. A statue commemorating the story stands near the cape, and Irozaki has since become an established destination for those exploring the literary and natural heritage of the region.

Visitors to Irozaki can walk along coastal paths that offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, with clear-day visibility extending to the Izu Seven Islands offshore. The Irozaki Lighthouse, built in 1933, stands at the cape's tip and provides an iconic landmark, though the lighthouse itself is not open for interior visits. The Irozaki Jungle Park features subtropical vegetation and offers elevated viewpoints accessible by ropeway. The surrounding waters are known for their clarity and support diverse marine life, making the area popular for diving and snorkeling activities.

Transportation to Irozaki requires traveling to the southern Izu Peninsula. From Tokyo, visitors can take the JR Tokaido Line to Atami Station, then transfer to the Izukyu Line to Izukyu-Shimoda Station, a journey of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. From Shimoda, the Tokai Bus service operates routes to Irozaki, with the bus journey taking roughly 40 minutes. Private vehicle access is available via Route 136, though the narrow, winding coastal roads require careful driving. There is no admission fee to access the cape itself and the coastal walking areas, though the Jungle Park charges a separate entrance fee of approximately ¥1,000 for adults.