Ito Guide: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay, Eat and More
Ito (伊東市) is a charming seaside hot springs town in Shizuoka Prefecture. It's a base to stay and explore the underrated but beautiful Izu Peninsula, which is packed with natural sites, onsen towns and other fun attractions to discover.
If you're interested in a retro town, a beach, hot springs, an extinct volcano, and a nature hike by the sea, then you should read on. Ito has it all, yet is only a couple of hours from Tokyo. It is also less well-known than its neighboring town Atami. In this article, I will share my favourite activities in Ito as well as some recommendations for accommodation and restaurants that I particularly enjoyed.
How to Get to Ito
There are several options for getting to Ito from Tokyo:
The quickest way is to take a Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Atami (50 minutes), and transfer to a local train on the JR Ito line (20 minutes) to Ito station. The trip costs ¥4,400.
If you prefer a direct option, there is a direct JR Odoriko Limited Express Train also departing from Tokyo station every hour allowing you to reach Ito in 100 minutes for ¥3,890.
If you prefer to save money and are not in a hurry, instead of the Shinkansen, you can take a local train on the Ueno-Tokyo Line from Tokyo or Shinagawa station to Atami station and then a local train on the Ito line. The entire trip takes 2 hours and half but only costs ¥2,310.
8 Best Things to See and Do in Ito
1. Walk Around Ito's Nostalgic Town Centre
As soon as you leave the station and stroll through the shopping district of Icho Dori or Yu-no-Hana Dori (湯の花通り商店街), you start feeling the nostalgic vibe of Ito. It really does have the kind of particular atmosphere of a good, old hot spring town, which is hard to describe but you feel right away. A fun game is to look for the statues of the Seven Lucky Gods that are scattered in the area as well as hot-spring-related artefacts (including the manhole covers!). There are several souvenir shops and restaurants in the area, but overall Ito is a fairly quiet town.
2. Learn about Ito History at Tokaikan, a Former Ryokan Turned into a Museum
Tokaikan
The Tokaikan (東海館) is the city's landmark building and can be reached in an 8-minute walk from the station. Built in 1928, this traditional grand hotel was converted into a museum after it closed in 1997. Housing a public bath, a teahouse, and exhibitions on the history of Ito, this wooden building is a fine example of traditional Japanese architecture and offers a nice view of the Matsukawa River. It’s open from 9am to 9pm (last admission at 8pm), and costs ¥200. Note that if you would like to use the public bath, an additional ¥500-admission is required. Baths are only available from 11am to 7pm.
3. Sunbath at Ito Orange Beach
Ito Orange Beach
Located close to the station, Ito Orange Beach (伊東オレンジビーチ) is a dark sandy beach ideal for a dip in summer or for relaxing by the sea the rest of the year. To the south of the beach is a pretty little park called Nagisa Park (なぎさ公園), which hosts a few sculptures from a local artist, Kenji Shigeoka.
Nagisa Park
4. Explore Ito Marine Town
From Ito Orange Beach, you can follow the seafront along National Road 135 for about 20 minutes to the Ito Marine Town roadside station (道の駅 伊東マリンタウン). You cannot miss the line of colorful buildings!
Ito Marine Town has an Ocean Bazaar comprised of seafood restaurants and shops selling local products (a great place to find souvenirs). It also has a Seaside Spa, and a port center where you can buy tickets for boat trips. But my favorite was the free outdoor footbath with hot onsen water where you can soak your tired feet while enjoying a relaxing view of the harbour.
5. Enjoy an Evening Stroll along Matsukawa River
The footpath around the Matsukawa River (松川) is beautifully illuminated at night, making it an ideal spot for a romantic night-time stroll. The view of the illuminated Tokaikan and its reflection on the river is one of my favorite views of Ito. You can walk all the way to a local shrine called Otonashi Shrine (音無神社), known for its giant camphor trees.
Note that this river walk is also a popular spot during the sakura season, as it is lined with cherry trees.
6. Have a Relaxing Time in One of Ito Onsen Baths
As you are visiting a hot-spring town, you can't leave Ito without taking advantage of its onsen! Many hotels have onsen facilities where you can enjoy Ito's hot springs directly. But, as introduced before, you can also go to the Tokaikan, the seaside spa in Ito Marine Town, or visit one of the many hotels offering paid access to their onsen during the day.
7. Marvel at a 360° Panoramic View from the Summit of Mount Omuro
Mount Omuro (大室山) is one of the places I enjoyed most on my trip to Izu. This extinct volcano, located south of the town of Ito and close to the east coast of the Izu peninsula, offers a 360-degree panoramic views on a sunny day, including Mount Fuji and the nearby Izu islands (such as Oshima)!
Summer was really a great time to visit to enjoy seeing the volcano in its vibrant green coat. I must have spent a couple of hours at the summit walking around the crater, taking pictures and enjoying the marvelous views. There is a small shrine and jizo statues as well as a shop where you can buy street food such as dango.
To reach Mount Omuro, you can take a bus to Shaboten Koen (シャボテン公園) from Ito station or Izu Kogen station and get off at the last stop. The chairlift to the top of Mount Omuro (¥1,000) is right next to the bus stop.
View of Mount Fuji from the summit of Mount Omuro
8. Hike along Jogasaki Coast, one of Izu Peninsula’s Natural Wonders
The Jogasaki Coast (城ヶ崎海岸), or Jogasaki Kaigan, is a picturesque coastline along the eastern side of the Izu Peninsula. You can walk along a 9km hiking trail offering beautiful views of the volcanic coastline and Sagami Bay. Hiking along this geological wonder was another highlight of my trip to Izu.
From Ito station, you can take the Izukyuko line to Jogasaki Kaigan station and walk about 20 minutes. If you are staying in Ito, you can also take the bus to the start of the walk, getting off at the 城ヶ崎口 stop.
A visit to Jogasaki coast and Mount Omuro can be easily combined in a day trip (my recommendation). To know more about this one-day itinerary, you can read my article “A Nature Day Trip to Izu: Jogasaki Coast and Mount Omuro Itinerary”.
Looking for More Things to Do Nearby?
When to Visit Ito and How Long to Stay
Ito is a great year-round destination, but I was very happy to go in the summer (early September) to enjoy the beach and the lush colours of Mount Omuro and Jogasaki Coast. There are also several popular sakura viewing spots in the area, such as the Sakura-no-sato (さくらの里) at the foot of Mount Omuro, so spring would be perhaps my second best choice.
Where To Eat in Ito
If there is one restaurant I would absolutely recommend in Ito, it’s a small izakaya called Kunihachi (国八), located a minute away from the Tokaikan. This restaurant, run by a friendly old couple, serves delicious local delicacies at an affordable price. The atmosphere is both eccentric and delightful thanks to the decorations that fill the whole place (including customer drawings which are hung) and are sure to catch your eye. This restaurant was really a hidden gem!
In addition, as a fan of kaiten sushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurants, I also enjoyed HAMA-SUSHI Ito Yukawa (はま寿司 伊東湯川店), located a few minutes' walk from Ito Marine Town. It has an amazing value for money, and offers a wide selection of sushi and other Japanese dishes at very affordable prices (the cheapest plate costs ¥110 and includes two sushi pieces).
Where to Stay in Ito
There are several hotels and ryokans in Ito to suit all budgets. Here are my top picks, based on personal experience and traveler reviews.
Best Value for the Money: A Historical Budget-Friendly Ryokan Hostel
If you're looking for the best value for money, I highly recommend K's House Ito Onsen, where I stayed during my trip to Ito. This historical building turned into a hostel offers an authentic and budget-friendly ryokan experience, with its long labyrinth-like corridors and traditional tatami rooms of different sizes. The nicest ones have a balcony over the Matsukawa river and their own private toilets. Facilities include a common kitchen, a dining room, a comfortable lounge with TV, and onsen bathes with natural hot spring water (shared and private). The staff speak English and were very friendly during my visit.
Common room at K's House Ito Onsen
As it is an old traditional building, the sound insulation is not very good (earplugs are even provided in the rooms with a little note about this, which I found nice), which is something to bear in mind if you are sensitive to noise. But this didn't bother me personally and I was very pleased with my stay at an unbeatable price. ➡️ Compare prices on HostelWorld
Mid-Range Hotel Mixing Japanese and Western Styles in the Heart of Ito
If you prefer not to stay in a hostel, then I’d recommend Laforet Ito Onsen Yunoniwa (ラフォーレ伊東温泉 湯の庭), a modern ryokan-meets-hotel with spacious rooms mixing Western and Japanese styles. With public onsen baths, relaxing facilities including a foot bath terrace and a lounge, and options for buffet breakfast and kaiseki dinner, it offers a peaceful stay while being conveniently located near JR Ito station.
High-End Ryokan or Hotel Experiences Closer to Nature
Still located in Ito but nestled further along the scenic Jogasaki coastline, these two accommodations offer a luxurious escape surrounded by nature—perfect for travelers looking to slow down and soak in the peaceful beauty of Izu.
Set near the rugged coast of Jogasaki, Kamenoi Hotel Izukogen (亀の井ホテル 伊豆高原) is an elegant hotel offering panoramic ocean views and easy access to coastal walking trails. Rooms are modern yet warm, and the open-air onsen baths overlook the sea and pine trees. This hotel could be a great option if you’re looking for a relaxing stay away from the city center but conveniently located next to Jogasaki Kaigan Station.
Hidden in a serene forest near Izu-Kogen Station, Hanafubuki (花吹雪) is a luxurious ryokan that feels like a secret hideaway. With 3 teahouses and 9 private hot springs, this ryokan appears like the ideal retreat for couples or anyone wanting a peaceful, authentic ryokan experience immersed in nature. Kaiseki dinners are also a highlight here, featuring seasonal seafood and local specialties.
How to Get Around Ito
If you are planning to stay in Ito and explore nearby sights such as Mount Omuro and Jogasaki Coast, then I recommend you stop by the Itō Tourist Information Center at Ito station to buy the Ito Sightseeing Free Pass (2-day pass for ¥1,800). It allows you to get on and off the local Tokai Bus around Ito and Izu Kogen, and grants you discounts in a selection of attractions. Details of this offer can be found on the bus company's website here (Japanese only). You can also purchase your Ito Sightseeing Free Pass in advance on KKDay (there is a small discount, but you still need to redeem the voucher at Ito station).
Ito in a Map
Final Thoughts on Ito
The Izu Peninsula is an off-the-beaten-track destination near Tokyo. And of all the places I visited on my trip to the Izu Peninsula, Ito was my favourite. There's just so much to do!
I'll be writing about other amazing places to visit on the Izu Peninsula, such as Shimoda and Yugawara, and you can already read my articles on the Kawazu Seven Waterfalls Hike and Atami Onsen. You can sign up to my mailing list or follow my socials to be informed when these articles go online, or email me if you have any particular question.
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This article was originally published on March 24 2024 and updated on April 21 2025.
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