Activities and Sightseeing

Izu Wasabi Farm

Nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Izu Peninsula, Japan, Izu wasabi is celebrated for its high quality and distinctive flavour. This exceptional wasabi thrives in Kawazu, near the Amagi mountain range, where clear, cold spring water flows continuously, and … Read More

Featured Post

Hydrangea Festival

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Shimoda. There is an entire month dedicated to the hydrangea festival, and this one lasts the whole month! I walked through it in early June. The garden and park area are stunning, and … Read More

Featured Post

Kuronefune Matsuri (Black Ship Festival)

If you are here in May, there is a yearly festival that is surprisingly big given the town’s size and is so much fun! Kurofune means “Black Ship” in English and is the celebration of the Americans arriving in their … Read More

Featured Post

Spring in Shimoda

It’s Alice again, back for another post! I have so much I want to share about the different places I have visited here in Shimoda this spring. Some backstory: After living in Japan for months now and living on three … Read More

Featured Post
firepit at retreat wabi-sabi

Bon Fire at Retreat wabi-sabi

Enough research has been done to scientifically prove that watching a fire reduces heart rate and makes people more sociable. It’s thought that prehistoric humans who preferred tending fires were genetically advantageous as fires provide heat, light and kept dangerous … Read More

Featured Post
Minami Izu Kayaking Shimoda Japan

Kayaking with Surface

Sea Kayaks have got to be the best way to explore Izu’s incredibly beautiful coastline. Guides can take you into caves and through natural tunnels. There are quite a few sea kayak tour guides in the area. We went with … Read More

Featured Post
minami-izu-trail-view shimoda Shizuoka Japan

Cape Tarai Hiking Trail

The Mimami Izu Hiking Trail is know for its amazing views off the high jagged peak of Cape Tarai, or what the local people call “a fierce god”. To get to the trail we took the 20 minute bus ride … Read More

Featured Post
Ryuguktsu sea cave shimoda Izu Japan

Ryugukutsu Sea Cave

Featured Post
sand ski hill shimoda izu geopark

Sand Ski Hill

Sand Ski Hill is right next to Ryugukutsu, a cave that opens up to the sea so if you want to see one you should definitely check out the other. We have toboggans guests are more than welcome to borrow … Read More

Featured Post
kanaya ryokan onsen shimoda Izu

Kanaya Ryokan Onsen

Kanaya Ryokan has been welcoming guests since 1866, but is most famous for its 15 meter long “sen-nin buro” (1000-man bath) built in 1915. This beautiful wooden bath is not only long but also very deep. In fact, it’s big … Read More

Featured Post
perry-road-shimoda isu sightseeing japan

Perry Road

Most people only know Shimoda for its pristine beaches and emerald green sea, but there is a lot more to Shimoda you should really check out! Perry Road is a tiny street divided by a river with overhanging wheeping willows … Read More

Featured Post

Shokichinoyu Onsen

This has got to be one of my favorite onsen, ever! So worth the journey up the narrow steep mountain roads (although I refuse to drive myself). When I mentioned that one of our previous guests had said, “Now this … Read More

Featured Post

Flower picking in Matsuzaki

Every year in Matsuzaki (west coast of Izu) wild flowers are grown in rice paddies before the rice seedlings are planted. Once the May flowers bloom everyone is invited to pick as many flowers as they can. I cut and … Read More

Featured Post

Irozaki

Irozaki is a cape at the very bottom of the Izu Peninsula. There is a lighthouse and a shrine with amazing views of Southern Izu’s rocky coast.  You can visit the shrine and buy an “omikuji” (a fortune) if you … Read More

Featured Post
Snorkeling in Hirizo Izu

Snorkeling in Hirizo Izu

From the Kisami Bus Stop take a 40 minute bus ride down and around the coast to Nakagi, pay a 1000 yen for a 5 minute boat ride and you’ll arrive at the underwater wonderland, Hirizo. Before boarding the ship … Read More

Featured Post
Minami Izu boat cruise shimoda Shizuoka

Izu Cruise

As I have mentioned in my blog about kayaking, the best way to see Izu’s beautiful and rugged coastline is from the sea. But if you are not feeling so active and don’t want to spend a day paddling then … Read More

Featured Post

Kannon Onsen

Kannon Onsen  is tucked away among greenery in the rugged hills of Shimoda. The hot-spring is famous for its super alkaline rich waters. The same waters are flowing through shokichi-no-yu but for those without a car, Kannon onsen is a … Read More

Featured Post

Yamatokan Onsen

One of the closest onsens to Retreat wabi-sabi and Guesthouse tabi-tabi is at the Yamatokan Hotel on Tatado beach in the Kisami area of Shimoda. It  has a private and public onsen non-staying guests can use at certain times and … Read More

Featured Post

Jogasaki Coastal Hike

October is by far the best month for exploring and hiking in Japan. Southern Izu is also still warm enough to enjoy the ocean and yet cool enough to appreciate the onsens. On October 27th I started my day with … Read More

Featured Post
odaru-waterfall-onsen kawazu izu shizuoka japan

Nanadaru Waterfalls & Onsen

Tucked into the hills above Kawazu Town, the falls range from the towering 30-meter high Odaru Waterfall to the 2-meter high Kanidaru Waterfall. The hiking trail is an easy 1km walk and it’s well sign-posted. Some sections are steep, but … Read More

Featured Post
Juice cleanse detox and yoga retreat shimoda izu japan

Detox & Yoga Retreat

In October 2017 Retreat wabi-sabi hosted it’s very first juice cleanse and yoga retreat. 9 participants joined us for 2 nights / 3 days to detox, relax, and re-fresh the body and mind. If you have never done a detox … Read More

Featured Post
jaJA