Things to Do in Izunokuni (伊豆の国市), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Araki Jinja (3.0 km), Honryū Ji (3.5 km), Mashiyama Dera (3.9 km) and served by Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 17 m elevation (35.0333°N, 138.9333°E), Izunokuni offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Izu (伊豆市) (6.4 km), Shimizu (清水町) (7.8 km), Numazu (沼津市) (9.4 km), Mishima (三島市) (9.6 km).

Izunokuni is located on the northern "neck" of the Izu Peninsula in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture. The region is hilly, with numerous hot springs. During the late Heian and Kamakura periods, the town of Nirayama within the current borders of Izunokuni was the home of the Later Hōjō clan, who dominated Japanese politics in the 12th century. A castle was established at Nirayama by Ise Moritoki in 1493. The economy of Izunokuni is dominated by agriculture (strawberries and tomatoes) and by tourism related to the hot spring resort industry. Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) serves as a city in Shizuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2005-04-01) 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 Izunokuni (伊豆の国市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) from Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) at 17 m elevation (35.0333°N, 138.9333°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Izunokuni):

• Araki Jinja (3.0 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Izunokuni (伊豆の国市).
• Honryū Ji (3.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Izunokuni (伊豆の国市).
• Mashiyama Dera (3.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Izunokuni (伊豆の国市).
• Chitose Bashi (1.1 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Izunokuni (伊豆の国市).
• Izu Peninsula — local sightseeing landmark near Izunokuni (伊豆の国市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Izunokuni: Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Izunokuni

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Izu (伊豆市) — 6.4 km from Izunokuni (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Shimizu (清水町) — 7.8 km from Izunokuni (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Numazu (沼津市) — 9.4 km from Izunokuni (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Mishima (三島市) — 9.6 km from Izunokuni (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Kannami (函南町) — 10.5 km from Izunokuni (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Izunokuni & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) via Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 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-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) to reach central Izunokuni (35.0333°N, 138.9333°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka with Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and neighboring Izu, Shimizu, Numazu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Izunokuni, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Izunokuni and continuing toward Izu 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 Izunokuni: While Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) anchors public transit for Izunokuni, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Araki Jinja (3.0 km) and Honryū Ji (3.5 km) with nearby Izu (伊豆市) (6.4 km), Shimizu (清水町) (7.8 km), Numazu (沼津市) (9.4 km), Mishima (三島市) (9.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) & Shizuoka

Dining near Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) and across Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Izunokuni:

• Local specialty & terroir of Izunokuni (伊豆の国市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside greenhouse strawberry cultivation and market gardening.
• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km).

Where to Stay in Izunokuni (伊豆の国市)

Visitors staying overnight in Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Shizuoka (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Izu, Shimizu, Numazu for quick train access into Izunokuni. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Izunokuni & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Izunokuni (伊豆の国市, 17 m elevation at 35.0333°N, 138.9333°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 Araki Jinja (3.0 km) in Izunokuni (伊豆の国市) 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 Izunokuni (伊豆の国市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Izunokuni: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) for local bus schedules to Araki Jinja (3.0 km) and walking maps of Izunokuni (伊豆の国市).
• Cash & ATMs in Izunokuni: Convenience stores and major hotels around Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Araki Jinja (3.0 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Izunokuni accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Izunokuni: Around Izu-nagaoka Station (伊豆長岡駅) (1.5 km) and neighboring Izu, Shimizu, Numazu, 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.