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How to travel between the Izu Peninsula and Tokyo
By Tokaido Shinkansen:
The JR Tokaido Shinkansen provides direct connections from Tokyo to Atami Station (40-50 minutes, 3570 yen one way by non-reserved seat) and Mishima Station (45-60 minutes, 3890 one way yen by non-reserved seat) at the entrance to the Izu Peninsula. The journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
See the orientation section below on how to proceed from Atami and Mishima further down the Izu Peninsula.
By limited express train:
Limited express trains, named Odoriko, connect Tokyo via Atami (80 minutes, 3600 yen) and Ito (100 minutes, 4200 yen) with Shimoda (160 minutes, 5500 yen) in the south of the Izu Peninsula. In Tokyo, most trains use Tokyo Station, while a few use Shinjuku Station. Shimoda's railway station is called Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
Note that between Ito and Shimoda, the Odoriko limited express is running on the tracks of the Izukyu Railway Company, which means that Japan Rail Pass holders will have to pay a supplement fee when traveling along this section. The one way supplement fee for the journey between Ito and Shimoda is 2070 yen.
Some Odoriko trains carry a few wagons which are separated from the rest of the train at Atami Station and continue to run via Mishima Station to Shuzenji Station. The one way journey from Tokyo to Shuzenji by direct Odoriko limited express train takes two hours and costs about 4000 yen.
Note that between Mishima and Shuzenji, the Odoriko limited express is running on the tracks of the Izuhakone Railway Company, which means that Japan Rail Pass holders will have to pay a supplement fee when traveling along this section. The one way supplement fee for the journey between Mishima and Shuzenji is 500 yen.
By local trains:
It is also possible to access the Izu Peninsula by local trains along the JR Tokaido Line. The one way journey from Tokyo to Atami takes about 100 minutes and costs 1890 yen. To Mishima it takes about two hours, costs 2210 yen and usually requires a transfer of trains at Atami Station.
If you are based in Shinjuku, you could save a few yen by taking the Odakyu Railways from Shinjuku to Odawara and transfer to the JR Tokaido Line there. The whole journey to Atami would take more than two hours but cost only 1250 yen. To Mishima it would take about three hours and cost 1500 yen.
See the orientation section below on how to proceed from Atami and Mishima further down the Izu Peninsula.
By special tickets:
Japan Railways (JR) and Odakyu offer various special tickets for visiting the Izu Peninsula from Tokyo. The tickets consist of a round trip between Tokyo and the Izu Peninsula and unlimited use of transportation on the peninsula:
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
The Izu Peninsula is served by two railway lines and a relatively efficient bus network. It is also a suitable region of Japan to be explored by rental car, motorcycle or bicycle.
Rail
The JR Ito Line leads from Atami to Ito Station, from where the Izukyu Line continues further south to Shimoda. Note that Shimoda's railway station is called Izukyu-Shimoda Station. There are roughly two local trains per hour between Atami and Shimoda in each direction plus a few Odoriko limited express trains to/from Tokyo.
The one way journey from Atami to Shimoda by local train takes about 90 minutes and costs 1890 yen. By limited express train it takes about 70 minutes and costs around 3400 yen.
Since the railway tracks south of Ito are owned by Izukyu Railways, holders of the Japan Rail Pass will have to pay a supplement when using this section. The supplement between Ito and Shimoda is 1570 yen on local trains and 2070 yen on limited express trains (one way).
The other railway line serving the Izu Peninsula is the Izuhakone Sunzu Line from Mishima to Shuzenji. There are three to four trains per hour in each direction. The one way journey takes 30 minutes and costs 500 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid.
Bus
Tokai Bus operates a dense and relatively efficient bus network, which covers most regions of the Izu Peninsula and is centered around the major railway stations, such as Atami, Ito, Shuzenji and Shimoda Stations. The fare is proportional to the distance traveled and is paid when exiting the bus.
Road
Exploring the Izu Peninsula by private transportation, such as a rental car, can be very pleasurable and efficient. Rental car outlets can be found near many major railway stations, such as Mishima, Atami, Ito, Izu Kogen, Shuzenji and Shimoda Stations. We recommend Tocoo Travel for low car rental rates and an English reservation interface.
Like in all of Japan, roads on the Izu Peninsula are well maintained, and drivers are relatively considerate. Traffic jams along the peninsula's eastern coast are not unusual on weekends and during holidays, but during the week and in the western and southern areas of the peninsula, traffic can be light.
Due to the mountainous terrain of the peninsula many inland roads have steep and winding passages, including the Izu Skyline and Nishi-Izu Skyline, two toll roads with spectacular views of the surrounding scenery.
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