The east coast of Izu Peninsula is one that I have explored in great detail during numerous visits to the area over the last seven years or so. There are many great places but if I had to pick just one sight to see then it’d probably have to be Mount Omuro; the picture postcard and aesthetically-pleasing volcano. We’ve previously visited it in Autumn and Summer but never in Winter. It was time to change that on our most recent trip to that part of Shizuoka Prefecture during the New Year holiday season.

Buses aren’t exactly regular but with a bit of planning it was very easy for us to get one directly to Mount Omuro in about 20 minutes. There was a bit of a queue for the chairlift (1000 yen return) which is the only way of getting to the top but it was moving quickly and within a short time we were on our way up the 580 metre mountain.

It soon became very apparent (I hadn’t really noticed at the foot of the mountain!) that the lush green colours of the other seasons had been replaced by a more earthly brown colour.

Though quite not as appealing, it is still an awesome sight to see 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding area as well as looking down into the volcano itself which is actually used for archery. Walking round the top is always a delightful experience, but  despite the sunny conditions it is often a little windy on top.

I’d never really noticed Lake Ippeki from the top before so it was quite nice to see an overhead view of where we were heading next.

Lake Ippeki is in the centre of this picture

Before descending the mountain, Rina couldn’t resist buying some dango which was actually reasonably priced at 300 yen per stick.

As were taking the chairlift down, the majestic and iconic Mount Fuji was beginning to appear from behind the clouds.

Izu Shaboten Zoo is across the road from the chairlift station and a rather expensive zoo (2700 yen entry) but I would like to go one day as it has some unique attractions.

Sakura-no-Sato is a lovely, spacious park to the rear of the mountain and it is largely ignored by the majority of visitors to the mountain.

Despite numerous visits to this park I had never noticed the presence of Anahara Lava Cave in the vicinity. I only found it thanks to Google Maps so had it not been for that I would have walked right past the caves. A long time ago a large snake lived in the hole and would supposedly appear in nearby villages where it would torment the local villagers. Subsequently the serpent was killed which resulted in this big hole. That’s one story anyway!

Sadly, you can’t descend into the 15 metre deep cave for a closer look and so have to make do with seeing it from afar. When Mount Omuro erupted 3,700 years ago it left a hollow underground which eventually collapsed after the lava on the surface solidified and became too heavy.

There is a quirky Wax Museum just beyond the park but it is one that I’m still yet to go inside. That didn’t change here as there was no time.

That was because we had to get another bus to Lake Ippeki where we had been just a couple of days earlier. This time we wandered round Numa-ike which is adjacent to the main lake and is usually fairly devoid of people.

There were clear blue skies on both occasions at the lake, and the water was fairly transparent too (it usually is to be fair!) so the fish seemed more visible than usual.

As we had already walked a fair bit we only walked round part of the lake on our second visit.

Back on New Years Day, we walked round the whole lake which is about four kilometres in circumference whilst stopping for a bit of a picnic on the western shores.

My wife prayed at one of the shrines as is customary for most Japanese people at the start of each year but I didn’t bother going through the motions this time.

There is actually another torii gate at the lake but it’s only possible to get to if you rent one of the pedaloes available to visitors.

There was a new cafe on the shore of the lake with a free foot bath outside which we took adavantage of on both of our visits. Towels aren’t provided though so we just had to make do with the dog’s one for drying our feet.

With great views on offer, this was such a nice way to soak our weary feet each time before continuing to walk home.

A short walk up the road from there is the bus stop, and right next to that is an abandoned lakeside hotel.

The vending machine outside it has certainly seen better days. The faded writing at the top of the machine actually says “discount” but that is a lie as it wouldn’t even take my money let alone dispense a can of soda!

We didn’t take the bus home but instead opted for a rather pleasant walk through the woods which were completely deserted. I’ve been telling my wife for years that this is a lovely way of getting back from the lake so was glad that she finally relented this time and enjoyed it enough to do on both trips there. Hopefully, she’ll remember this when we next visit the lake!

Click here to read ‘At One With Nature In Izu: The Jogaskai Coast, Mount Komuro, Mount Omuro & Ippeki Lake’

Click here to read ‘Return To Japan’s Greenest & Cleanest Extinct Volcano In Izu’

Click here to read ‘Mount Omuro Is A Picture Postcard Perfect Volcano’

Click here to read ‘Another Abandoned Building On The Shores Of Lake Ippeki And The Regular Visit To Komuroyama’