Inatori Onsen is a hot spring resort on the edge of the Izu Peninsula. Inatori was a fishing village before becoming known as an onsen destination. Today, its connection to onsen, local fishing, a seasonal hanging-doll festival and a volcanic landscape appeal to visitors with different interests. This combination offers a distinct cultural, culinary and scenic way to experience Higashiizu.

Getting there and the onsen town

Izu-Inatori Station serves Inatori Onsen; it is about an hour from Atami Station. If you are traveling by train, check the timetable for your travel date.

Hanging dolls and tradition

The Inatori Hanging-Doll Festival (雛のつるし飾りまつり) takes place from January to March. Decorated Hina dolls are displayed alongside fabric dolls hung on strings. Workshops are also offered where you can make your own hanging dolls. 文化公園 雛の館 in Inatori is the main venue. The festival falls within the January-to-March period and usually runs from mid-January to the end of March; exact dates may vary by year.

雛のつるし飾り is a distinctive traditional custom of Inatori. Its exact origins are uncertain. The custom is said to have already existed during the childhood of a woman born in the Meiji period; for this reason, it is traced back to the late Edo period. If the festival determines your travel dates, check the exact dates for the year of your trip.

Scenery: park and highlands

Dontsuku Shrine is located in Inatori Ryugu Cape Park. A viewpoint in the park offers views of Izu-Oshima. Hosono Kogen offers a different scenic focus: the highlands cover about 125 hectares and are considered rich in animal and plant species in a volcanic landscape.

At Hosono Kogen, you can walk freely and observe wetland plants in four wetlands. These four areas are designated as cultural properties by Shizuoka Prefecture. While the park offers views of Izu-Oshima, the highlands focus on the wetlands and their plant life. This makes it easy to distinguish between two different scenic themes for your stay.

Fishing and regional produce

稲取キンメ refers to splendid alfonsino caught by handline and landed at Inatori Fishing Port after a day’s fishing. Fishing begins at sunrise, and the boat returns to port by 4 p.m. at the latest. The name therefore refers to a specific local product and a clearly defined fishing process.

こらっしぇ, the direct-sales outlet at Inatori Fishing Port, sells 稲取キンメ as well as fresh fish caught that same morning using set nets. It also offers fresh vegetables and fruit from the Izu region. In addition to the named local fish, the shop sells other fresh produce.

As a separate activity, Inari-maru offers tourist excursions on a fishing boat from Izu-Inatori. Check departures and reservations separately for your date. A bath at a traditional inn in Inatori Onsen may offer expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.

Planning your stay

If you are looking for hotels in Higashiizu, your reason for traveling can be a good starting point: will the festival determine your dates, or are you more interested in onsen, fishing or Hosono Kogen?

Discover more destinations: Omaezaki, Shimoda, Hamamatsu, Kawazu, Kamo District, Susono, Shimada, Iwata

For the broader travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.