The Mountain Paths and Coastal Roads of Izu and Fuji

Most of you come to Japan for 10 days to 2 weeks and if you are lucky and do have the usual long european vacations   then some also for 3 weeks and more. Not all of you would like to spend all 2 or 3 weeks on a motorcycle – you may want to take a trip on the famous Shinkansen bullet train, too or see with your own eyes the morning subways mayhem in Tokyo   but nevertheless would love at least a week to experience Japan on a bike on a typical japanese tour involving Mount Fuji roads, pacific ocean cliffs and slow life in the countryside.. Can you do it?  Yes, you can.  There are plenty of highly interesting sights within a week from Tokyo, both to the east and west  but usually the west is favored due to Mount Fuji. A typical 1 week west  but still close to Tokyo involves the old capital of Kamakura with its famous shrines, temples and the Big Buddha and a short stop in Enoshima with its quaint railways, then crossing west to Atami, the entrance to the Izu Pensinsula and exploring both the ..made for motorcycles.. Izu Skyline road and the east coast along the pacific with its little villages, south the beautiful and historic town of Shimoda and western Izu with its rocks and windy Capes, allowing beautiful long distance views over the Suruga Bay with Mount Fuji in the back ground. Not to forget the daily hotsprings and fresh seafood in Izu, you will really enjoy it. From the west or south of Izu then up to Lake Ashi, the Fuji already looming prominently wherever you are  unless all is covered in clouds.. A 1 hour drive north then and you arrive on the shores of Lake Yamanaka where we usually settle for a night or two and use it as base for some of the most spectacular trips around Mount Fuji and the five lakes before entering the highway and go back to Tokyo.

A recommendation for the Izu – Fuji   1 week  Tour  looks like this:

Tokyo – Kamakura – Izu & Pacific Ocean – Mount Fuji & Lakes – Tokyo

 

Duration: Monday –  Monday

We advise to avoid weekend drive FROM Tokyo to Izu on national road 135; on these 2 days usually there are plenty of traffic jams and with your full fledged paniers it will not be as easy as on weekdays to drive ahead fast.

Also please Notice: as most of our clients arrive from overseas just 1 day before the start of the Tour  you very likely will experience some heavy Jet Lag.  Therefore we offer the following 2 starting options, majority decision will apply.

 

1. 1^st day only with Public Rail and Subways: Tokyo and close vicinity including possibly Yokohama , night stay Tokyo and  bike tour from 2^nd day Kamakura, etc or
2. pick up bikes and direct start as described below

Day 1: Monday.  Pick Up bikes,  from Tokyo, distance 50 kms, drive about 70 minutes to beautiful Kamakura, explore Daibutsu, Hasedera, Hachimangu as well as dozens others – night stay Kamakura or nearby.

Day 2: Tuesday. Further explore Kamakura, Zushi, the Miura pensinsula, we get on the quaint Enoden rail line to Enoshima – we guarantee you’ll not regret the short trip to Enoshima – night stay again Kamakura or nearby.

Day 3: Wednesday. Drive from Kamakura along Pacific Ocean to Izu Peninsula, explore either Atami and the east coast via Road 135 or use the tollroad Izu Skyline – almost made for motorcycling, then visit Ito-City or Ito’s Marine Town for a late lunch before – a must – visiting Jogasaki Kaigan, night stay at Inatori Onsen with ist Hot Springs.

Day 4: Thursday. Explore Kawazu Seven Falls and the adjacent Loop, then further south on 135 via the famous Shirahama beach to Shimoda , visit the Ryosen-ji, Hofukuji with Okichi’s grave, board one of the Black Ships, stroll the Perry Road and / or take the cable car to Mount Nesugata. On the way back to Inatori – if time allows – make a short trip to Tsumekizaki Park just 2 miles east of Shimoda City. Lets do not too much on this single day, just allow some free time to capture the deeply friendly and peaceful atmosphere at Shimoda..Night stay at Inatori Onsen.

Day 5: Friday. Starting the same, drive SS135 to Shimoda and SS16 to Cap Irozaki, make possibly also a short boat trip to Monkey island, then on 16 and 136 to Dogashima, explore the Cave, board a boat, then drive on north on 136 and do not forget – if weather permits – to take some pictures either on road 136 or – 12 kms north – on the Fujimi Dai platform of the Suruga Bay with the majestic Mount Fuji in the background. Then it’s time to leave northbound again, depending on your time, pay a short visit to the old Hot Springs town of Shuzenji, then go on to Lake Ashi where you will find it almost impossible to leave again if Mount Fuji is not covered within clouds.. But – go to your final destination for today in the late afternoon or early evening and stay at Yamanaka Lake.

Day 6: Saturday. This is our open day …. Lets take in and drive around Yamanaka Lake with the giant Mount Fuji looming above all, board a boat or simply explore the roads and views including East Fuji road 5 around the Fuji. There are that many views and small roads that you will find it hard to decide what to do next – for the magnificent views the weather though has to play along. Night stay at Lake Yamanaka.

Day 7: Sunday. Similar to yesterday, we drive the 15kms to Fuji Kawaguchi Lake and explore the lakeside and mountain views, FujiomuroSengen Shinto Shrine, drive to Lake Motosu or onto the scenic toll road Fuji Subaru Line from Kawaguchi up the Mount Fuji until station 5 around 2300 meters above sea level – closed for public traffic though between July 10 and September 10 – for magnificent views of the Fuji 5 lakes area – last night stay again at Lake Yamanaka.

Day 8: Monday. After a last morning glimpse of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanaka we are finally on our way back from Yamanaka and drive onto either Chuo Highway (107 kms to Kitami, Setagaya-ku ) or from Gotemba onto Tomei Highway ( 105 kms to Kitami, Setagaya-ku ) , both around 90 – 100 minutes in normal traffic for motorcycles..then fill up gas in Kitami and enjoy a Capuccino or Espresso at our office ..