Is there an admission fee to visit Koganezaki?

No, admission to Koganezaki Park is completely free. The park is open 24 hours year-round, and parking is also free, making it an accessible destination for all visitors. The only exception is during peak periods such as Golden Week and summer vacation when parking fees may apply.

What is the best time to visit Koganezaki?

The best time to visit is before sunset, typically arriving around 5:00 PM during the late afternoon. The cape earned its name "Golden Cape" because the volcanic rock walls take on a stunning golden hue when bathed in sunset light. On clear days, visitors can also see Mount Fuji across Suruga Bay, with the mountain reflecting the changing sunset colors. Most visitors spend around 30 to 40 minutes exploring the park, though sunset viewers often stay longer to capture the dramatic lighting.

How do I get to Koganezaki by public transportation?

Take the Izuhakone Railway to Shuzenji Station, then board a Tokai Bus bound for Matsuzaki. Get off at the Koganezaki Crystal Park stop and walk to the cape. The total journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Shuzenji Station. Note that public transportation options are limited, so many visitors prefer to rent a car for more flexibility in exploring the Izu Peninsula.

What are the main attractions at Koganezaki?

The cape's main attraction is the famous Horse Rock, a natural rock formation that resembles a horse's head and has become the landmark of the area. The observation deck at the tip of the cape offers panoramic views of Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji on clear days. The adjacent Koganezaki Crystal Park features a glass art museum showcasing contemporary works and exhibits about the region's glassmaking history. A stone monument inscribed with a passage from Yukio Mishima's novel "The Frolic of the Beasts" also honors the writer's connection to the area.

Can I swim or dive at Koganezaki?

Yes, the adjacent Koganezaki Beach offers approximately 100 meters of sandy beach with crystal clear water suitable for swimming and snorkeling during summer months. The area is also popular for scuba diving, with Koganezaki being a well-known diving spot featuring abundant marine life. The calm, shallow waters make it suitable for various water activities, though diving tours typically require proper certification.

Shizuoka

Koganezaki (Golden Cape)

4.4 (2601)ParkTourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Aug 15, 2026

Koganezaki is a dramatic coastal promontory located in Nishiizu town on the western shore of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. The cape was designated a natural monument of Shizuoka Prefecture in 1988, recognized for its distinctive geological features formed by volcanic activity. The name "Koganezaki" translates to "Golden Cape," derived from the reddish golden color of the rocks created by volcanoes that becomes particularly striking when bathed in sunset light.

The golden rock surface was dyed by the alteration caused by high-temperature hot spring water and geothermal heat, creating the cape's signature coloration. The site's most iconic feature is Uma Rock (Horse Rock), a distinctive formation that resembles a horse's head jutting from the coastline. The cape offers panoramic views across Suruga Bay with Mount Fuji visible on clear days, creating one of the region's most photographed vistas.

Visitors can explore the cape via maintained walking paths and observation decks that provide viewing platforms along the clifftops. The park encompasses promenades, lawn areas, and multiple viewpoints. Sunset viewing is particularly popular, as the diminishing light intensifies the golden hues of the volcanic rock. The adjacent Koganezaki Beach attracts diving enthusiasts for its clear waters and marine life. Nearby, the Koganezaki Crystal Park showcases Nishiizu's historical connection to silica stone production and glass manufacturing, featuring contemporary glass art exhibitions and hands-on workshops where visitors can create sandblasted glass pieces.

A literary monument commemorates novelist Yukio Mishima, who stayed at a ryokan in Arari and wrote passages about Koganezaki in his novel "The Frolic of the Beasts" during a 1960 visit. The rest facility Koganest near the parking area offers local specialty products and light refreshments including tokoroten noodles.

By car from Tokyo, take the Tomei Expressway to Numazu IC, then Higashi Suruga Bay Ring Road to Route 136, requiring approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Public transport users should take the Izuhakone Railway to Shuzenji Station, then board a Tokai Bus bound for Matsuzaki, alighting at Koganezaki Crystal Park stop, followed by a short walk to the cape. The complete journey takes approximately 90 minutes from Shuzenji.

Phone

+81 558-52-1114

Website

ikoyo-nishiizu.jp

Overview

Address

3566-7 Ugusu, Nishiizu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 410-3501, Japan

Traveler reviews

A nice and and serene place. Need to drive to the top to enjoy the view. There's also a rock that shaped like a horse head. It is a natural rock formation. The view looking out to the sea is superb. There's a small cafe for people to relax and enjoy the place.

Thomas Lew

May 29, 2026

Stopover at Koganezaki Park. Famous for its dramatic coastal cliffs, this scenic cape rewards visitors with breathtaking views of Suruga Bay and, on clear days, even Mount Fuji in the distance. The highlight is the iconic “Horse Rock,” a unique rock formation shaped like a horse’s head, making it one of the most photographed spots along the Izu coastline.

david ng

Jun 4, 2026

nice place to go in the year of the horse it is along the route if you do the izu peninsular pan handle free parking and clean toilets 三島由紀夫popularize the place ans the view is quite worth its weight in gold

Wing Au

Feb 17, 2026

You can observe the magnificent and spectacular nature of Izu. The horse-shaped rock here is called Uma Rock, and in Japan, it's said to be a lucky rock that brings victory in horse racing. It was a truly beautiful place.