Things to Do in Higashiizu (東伊豆町), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Higashiizu (東伊豆町) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden, Shimokamo Tropical Botanical Gardens, Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) and served by Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 364 m elevation (34.8266°N, 139.0283°E), Higashiizu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Kawazu (河津町) (8.2 km), Itō (伊東市) (16.9 km), Shimoda (下田市) (18 km), Izu (伊豆市) (18.3 km).

Sandwiched to the east and west between the Amagi Mountains and Sagami Bay on the Pacific Ocean, Higashiizu has numerous hot springs. Warmed by the warm Kuroshio Current, the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. During the Edo period, all of Izu Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, and the area now comprising Higashiizu Town consisted of 5 villages (Inatori, Naramoto, Shirata, Katase, and Ōkawa). With the establishment of the modern municipalities system in the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into two villages (Inatori and Jōtō) with Kamo District. Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Higashiizu (東伊豆町) serves as a town (町) in Shizuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

What to See & Do in Higashiizu (東伊豆町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Higashiizu (東伊豆町) from Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) at 364 m elevation (34.8266°N, 139.0283°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Higashiizu):

• Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden — local sightseeing landmark near Higashiizu (東伊豆町).
• Shimokamo Tropical Botanical Gardens — local sightseeing landmark near Higashiizu (東伊豆町).
• Banzaburō Dake (万三郎岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashiizu (東伊豆町).
• Banjirō Dake (万二郎岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashiizu (東伊豆町).
• Chōkurō Yama (長九郎山) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashiizu (東伊豆町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Higashiizu: Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Higashiizu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Kawazu (河津町) — 8.2 km from Higashiizu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Itō (伊東市) — 16.9 km from Higashiizu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Shimoda (下田市) — 18 km from Higashiizu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Izu (伊豆市) — 18.3 km from Higashiizu (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Nishiizu (西伊豆町) — 19.3 km from Higashiizu (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Higashiizu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Higashiizu (東伊豆町) via Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km): 45m–1h 25m from Tokyo Station (or 1h–1h 30m from Kyoto/Osaka) directly on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama. From Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) to reach central Higashiizu (34.8266°N, 139.0283°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka with Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and neighboring Kawazu, Itō, Shimoda. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Higashiizu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Higashiizu and continuing toward Kawazu can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Higashiizu: While Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) anchors public transit for Higashiizu, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden and Shimokamo Tropical Botanical Gardens with nearby Kawazu (河津町) (8.2 km), Itō (伊東市) (16.9 km), Shimoda (下田市) (18 km), Izu (伊豆市) (18.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Higashiizu (東伊豆町) & Shizuoka

Dining near Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) and across Higashiizu (東伊豆町) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Higashiizu:

• Local specialty & terroir of Higashiizu (東伊豆町): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets.
• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashiizu (東伊豆町) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Higashiizu (東伊豆町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km).

Where to Stay in Higashiizu (東伊豆町)

Visitors staying overnight in Higashiizu (東伊豆町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km), or base at major rail hubs in Shizuoka (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Kawazu, Itō, Shimoda for quick train access into Higashiizu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Higashiizu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Higashiizu (東伊豆町, 364 m elevation at 34.8266°N, 139.0283°E): Early February–March for Kawazu early cherry blossoms on the Izu Peninsula; October–February for crisp, unobstructed southern views of Mount Fuji.

Wider sightseeing across Shizuoka Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden in Higashiizu (東伊豆町) includes: Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

Practical Travel Tips for Higashiizu (東伊豆町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Higashiizu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) for local bus schedules to Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden and walking maps of Higashiizu (東伊豆町).
• Cash & ATMs in Higashiizu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Higashiizu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Higashiizu: Around Izu Atagawa Station (伊豆熱川駅) (3.9 km) and neighboring Kawazu, Itō, Shimoda, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.