Why this road
The road through the middle of the peninsula over the Amagi pass is not much shorter, but it runs through forest. Route 135 keeps the sea on your left almost the whole way, with Izu Ōshima and the other islands floating offshore on clear days. In between come onsen towns where you can stop for a bath, a suspension bridge over the surf and a river lined with cherry trees that bloom weeks before Tokyo's. It is about 2 hours of driving without stops, more in weekend traffic.
The route
- AAtami
A hot spring town on steep hills above Sagami Bay. Leave south on Route 135 along the coast.
- 1Itō
A larger onsen town. Mount Ōmuro, a perfectly round grassy volcano with a chairlift to its rim, is a short detour inland.
- 2Jōgasaki Coast
Black lava cliffs left by an eruption of Mount Ōmuro thousands of years ago. A coastal path leads to a suspension bridge high over a sea inlet.
- 3Inatori
An onsen town on a headland. The road climbs and dips along the coast, with views back to the islands.
- 4Kawazu
Famous for the Kawazu-zakura, an early cherry that lines the river in late winter. Route 414 leads inland to the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls.
- BShimoda
The port where Commodore Perry's Black Ships anchored in 1854. Walk along Perry Road, then find one of the white beaches just outside town.
Stops worth it
Forty-five minutes for the walk to the suspension bridge and along the cliffs. Waves crash right below the path.
In cherry season, walk along the river under the pink trees. The rest of the year, it is a quiet stop with hot springs.
Light and the best time
The coast faces east, so you drive south with the sea on your left. In the morning the sun rises over the sea: the water shines, and the east-facing lava cliffs at Jōgasaki are lit from the front. From early afternoon the hills behind the coast start to throw their shadow onto the towns and coves. That is why this drive starts early: you get the best light on the cliffs and you are ahead of the traffic.
February and early March for the Kawazu cherry blossom, though that is also when Route 135 is busiest. April, May, late October and November are pleasant and calmer. June and early July bring the rainy season, and typhoons can hit between late summer and autumn. On weekends and holidays, and especially in Golden Week and the Obon holidays, the coast road jams badly.
By vehicle
A popular ride from Tokyo, with sea views and curves. On busy days the traffic is slow and the towns are tight.
Lovely on a clear spring or autumn morning with the sea beside you. Small roadsters are a good fit for these roads.
Easy driving on a two-lane road, but narrow in the towns. A small car makes parking easier.
Good to know
Route 135 is toll-free. Some roads in the area, such as the Izu Skyline, are toll roads, current prices on the operators' websites. Japan drives on the left. Germany and Switzerland: carry your licence with an official Japanese translation (JAF). Austria: an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention (ÖAMTC). Vienna-Convention permits are not valid. Each is valid for at most 1 year after entry; carry your original licence. Parking at Jōgasaki and in Kawazu during the festival is limited and often paid.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long is the drive from Atami to Shimoda?
About 2 hours without stops on Route 135. On weekends and in cherry season it can take much longer.
Can tourists drive in Japan?
Yes. Germany and Switzerland: your licence with an official Japanese translation (JAF). Austria: an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention (ÖAMTC). Vienna-Convention permits are not valid.
When do the Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom?
Usually from February into early March, weeks before the cherries in Tokyo. The exact timing changes every year.
Is there a toll on the Izu Peninsula?
Not on Route 135, the coast road on this drive. Some other roads on the peninsula, like the Izu Skyline, are toll roads.
Is it better to drive the east or west coast of Izu?
The east coast is easier to reach and has more towns and sights. The west coast is quieter and has the views of Mount Fuji across the bay.