http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Asia , Japan , Shizuoka , Izu en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:39:35 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:39:35 UTC Another perfect weekend away with Mario at Izu my favourite peninsula I love Izu because it feels like it is miles away from Japan like somewhere in Europe almost The scenery is so beautiful and everyone is relaxed and friendly it has a real holiday feel http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/blog-197847.html Summer time has definitely begun in Japan I am pretty sure I am going to melt this summer. A friend and I decided to escape the heat and head for the coast yesterday. We made our way out to the Izu Peninsula an area just west of Shizuoka that is famous for ohnsen and beautiful coast lines. It is also famous for a small town called Shimoda which is where a US consulate was set up in 1856 when Ja http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/blog-171659.html Woke early to enjoy the onsen before breakfast I met an Australian lady at the onsen. Itrsquos her 2nd time staying at this traditional Ryokan which has charmed her and left wonderful memories when she 1st visited it years ago with her husband. Now they are back with their daughters who are about my age She had actually woken at 5am to come to the onsen and this made us lazy bums who only ma http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/blog-169394.html Despite the rain we decided to leave Hakone early in order to be able to explore our next destination Shimoda Instead of taking the bus through the winding mountain road which will take about an hour plus to reach Odawara we chose the more comfortable train ride. Back to Gora where we bought more souvenirs and local specialties and caught a train to Odawara. Initial plan was to explore the vi http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/blog-167028.html On Saturday Mario and I along with 'Blue Angel' caught the ferry from Shimizu to Toi. After some takoyaki octopus balls for breakfast we geared up and set off to Koibito Misaki Sweet Lovers Point. We headed down the coast to a monkey park then had a nap in the grass before stopping at the southern most tip of the peninsula Irozaki. We then continued to drive actually ride around the http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/blog-162903.html For my last long weekend in Japan and for Rebekahs birthday we took a trip to Izu the peninsula opposite to Shizuoka and part of the FujiHakoneIzu National Park. So here it is.... Counting Fun in Izu1 Unexplored peninsula home of onsens WHITE sand beaches and rugged coastline. And begonias apparently.2 Tentative shy and very naked bodies in a steaming hot onsen with a bathload of Japan http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Japan/Shizuoka/Izu/blog-136196.html