I visited Japan’s Izu Peninsula, and discovered delicious seafood, stunning coastal scenery, and relaxing onsens.
Its well known to Japanese people, but to foreign tourists, the peninsula is still relatively unknown.
That night, we soaked in an open-air onsen with views of the Pacific.
The Volcanic necks at Futo Beach on the Izu Geo Trail.Credit:Walk Japan
Fujis flanks poking out from behind a shroud of clouds.
The rest of the sacred mountainJapans tallest peakwas hidden, but our guide encouraged us to be patient.
Find a spot to rest and relax, he said.
Wasabi plants and a cone of wasabi on ice cream.Kristen Pope/Travel + Leisure
In your busy life, you dont have much time to wait for clouds to pass, he said.
Eventually, our patience was rewarded.
The Kawazu Seven Waterfalls.Kristen Pope/Travel + Leisure
A view of Mt. Fuji seen from the west coast of Izu.Walk Japan
The Shirahama Shrine’s torii gate.Walk Japan