The cheapest way to get to Shimoda is to take the Odakyu Line train from Shinjuku to Odawara and transfer to the Tokaido line bound for Atami or Ito, then finally switching to Tokyu's Izu Kyuko line from there. The train from Shinjuku to Odawara takes 93 minutes so be sure to catch an express. The entire journey takes approximatly 3hrs and 40 minutes and costs only ¥3070.  

I suggest you use Hyperdia to check for train schedules. Click on "search details" and make sure you uncheck "Bullet Train", "Nozomi", and "Limited Express Trains" to find the cheapest routes.

You can also ask the super friendly folks at the JR East English info line for help:

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(If you are calling from overseas, drop the first zero and add the country code 81)

***Please note, the name of the station you want to get off at is Izukyu Shimoda Station. If you use Hyperdia or Jorudan to search for train schedules and fares, you must use "Izukyu Shimoda" as your destination point. There are other towns and stations called Shimoda throughout Japan.

****One more note, when you are transfering in Ito or Atami, take care NOT to board a train bound for "Shimada" (with 2 A's), be sure to look for a train bound for Izukyu Shimoda.

Guesthouse tabi-tabi provides a refreshing assortment of cleansers and toiletries that are earth and people friendly. All of our soaps are organic and biodegrable making them gentle on the skin and on the planet. In the shower you will find Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap.  We try to rotate through the various scents they offer. Peppermint has an amazing cooling effect so it is great for summer. Citrus has a refreshing scent to perk you up, while almond smells good enough to eat. Once you start using Dr. Bronner's you won't want to use anything else. I've also got a bottle in my onsen basket at all times.

In the shower you can enjoy Avalon Organics Refreshing Cleansing Gel for the face, and organic shampoo and conditioner from Jason's Everyday Hair selection Care. Once you get out of the shower you can try out the Avalon Organics Balancing Toner.

By the sinks we have organic hand soaps and in the kitchen we wash our dishes with Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds.We have a washing machine you can use for ¥200. On the shelf, above the machine, you will find Grab Green's 3-in-1 Laundry detergent pods. Please help yourself.

We hope you will enjoy our selection of all-natural soaps and cleansers as much as we do!

The easiest way to get to Shimoda is by Odoriko Super Express train. Some of the trains are called Super View Odoriko because they have raised floors and windows that extend to the ceiling so you can enjoy views of the shimmering ocean and the lush landscapes of the Izu peninsula along the way. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and costs about ¥6500 from Shinjuku (with cheaper fares and travel times from other departure stations). Below is a list of departures times. There are other departure stations like Shinagawa, Ikebukuro, and Yokohama. For a complete timetable you can check the JR website here. You can also call the super friendly folks at the JR East English info line at:

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Shinjuku Station - Izukyu Shimoda Departures:

8:30  /  9:25

Tokyo  Station -  Izukyu Shimoda Departures:

7:30  /  8:00  /  9:00  /  10:00  /  10:30  /  11:00  /  11:30  /  12:00  /  13:00  /  13:30  /  14:00  /  14:30  /  15:30

***Please note, the name of the station you want to get off at is Izukyu Shimoda Station. If you use Hyperderia or Jorudan to search for train schedules and fares, you must use "Izukyu Shimoda" as your destination point. There are other towns and stations called Shimoda in Japan.

****One more note, if you are using another train route, and are transfering in Ito or Atami, take care NOT to board a train bound for "Shimada" (with 2 A's), be sure to look for a train bound for Izukyu Shimoda.

If you love a good sandwich, like I love a good sandwich, you have got to check out cubstar in Shimoda. They have a Panini lunch special to please everyone. A veggie version with mozzarella and cheese, the pescetarian special (as above) is filled with cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon), and for lovers of meat they a have Bologna and egg salad mix. Try to leave a little room for dessert because Cubstar's Yama-chan makes the best French toast this side of the planet. This hot and crispy treat is available anytime, comes in two sizes, and has an assortment of flavors but I get the large basic version with honey everytime (to share of course). They also have a dinner menu, with nice fresh salads, pastas, smoothies, and excellent Italian coffees. Be sure to order a cappuccino in order bare witness to Hoshi-kun's coffee art skills. Cubstar now has a take-out menu so you can grab a good coffee or a smoothie and sit next to the river on Perry Road which is less than a 5 minute walk from the cafe. Cubstar can be a little tricky to find but just look for the quaint green church that is their neighbour. I will also add it to our recommendation map here.

To get to Kisami from Izukyu Shimoda Station you can take a bus from the rotary right outside the station. Look for the big orange signs. Busses departing from bus stop 2, 3, and 4, all stop at Kisami Bus Stop. You can walk to Ohama beach and Guesthouse tabi-tabi from there.  You can find a map of the area here. The 10 minute journey costs ¥260 which you have to pay when you get off the bus. Don't forget to grab a ticket when you are geting on, it shows where your trip originated from much like a train ticket.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from outside the station for about ¥1400. Most taxi drivers know "Guesthouse tabi-tabi", otherwise give them our address:

Guesthouse tabi-tabi
1658 Kisami
Shimoda
〒415-0028

-----------------------------(UPDATED MAY 2ND, 2012)-------------------------- 

Bus Stop #2 Departures:

8:04 / 8:26 / 8:46 / 9:00 / 9:36

Bus Stop #3 Departures:

6:50  /  7:35  / 8:40  /  9:20  /  10:20  /  11:20  /  11:55  /  13:00  /  14:05  /  14:50  /  15:30  /  16:20  /  16:45  /  17:45  /  18:10  /  19:05  /  20:00  /  21:20 

Bus Stop #4 Departures:

6:55  /  7:46  /  8:20  /  9:00  /   10:35  /  11:30  /  12:05  / 
12:35  /13:20  /  14:25  / 15:10  / 16:00  /   17:15  /  18:25

*** Please be aware that the bus schedule can change a few times a year so best to have a look at the schedules yourself when you arrive.

道 (Michi) means road, の (no) is a possessive like our 's, and 駅 (eki) means station. Together you have "Road Station", which have all of the conveniences of a train station but is made for drivers and their cars. All michi-no-eki are organized by the government, and provide basic travel needs like free 24 hour parking, restrooms, and tourist information. Michi-no-eki is also the hub of many small towns providing them a place to promote tourism and trade. You can often find locally grown veggies, food stalls and restaurants with local specialties, souvenirs, hand-made goods, and sometimes even onsens! Michi-no-eki are government run and merchants are carefully selected to represent the town so you can be sure to find the best food and the most welcoming folks at the road-side michi-no-eki.

The Shimoda michi-no-eki has a great sushi shop you can read about here, and on the first floor you can get the Shimoda Burger I wrote about here.

The Minami Izu michi-no-eki is my favorite place to buy locally grown veggies. They also have bread and other pastries, plants, a gallery with crafts for sale, and excellent soft ice-cream served with a load of fresh blueberries. I will add it to our recommendation map here. Take note of the michi-no-eki symbol below so you will know where to take a break the next time you are on the road.

Many people don't realize that there are geisha alive and working in Japan. Other people assume that the only place to spot a geisha is in the Gion district of Kyoto. However, although the number of practicing geisha have dwindled, there continue to be a number of women studying the geisha arts and going on to work as professional geisha. There is even gaijin geisha (foreign geisha) working in Asakusa, Tokyo. You can read more about Australian geisha, Sayuki, on her website here.

In an effort to preserve Shimoda's cultural heritage and stimulate tourism by enlivening the city, the Shimoda government has flipped the bill for 3 women to be trained as geisha. At the moment these women are very busy preparing for their grand debut on March 27 when Shimoda will be celebrating the Okichi Festival. Iroha (her new Geisha name) is a good friend of mine and I can't wait to see how her hard work is paying off!

Come and stay at Guesthouse tabi-tabi on the 26th or 27th of this month and join me for the Okichi Festival.

The best way to explore the Izu Peninsula is with your own set of wheels. We suggest you check out ToCoo! rent-a-car. They have over 800 outlets, offer services from 12 different car rental companies, have a huge choice of vehicles, and an easy-to-use English website where you can check prices and reserve your vehicle. Although you can pick up your car in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, or even the airport, some people prefer to make their way to Izu by train, and pick up their car in Shimoda instead. They have options for child seats, and all cars come with GPS. There is no extra fee for dropping off your vehicle at a different location as long as is within the same prefecture. Smaller vehicles go for 4200 yen a day and they also offer long-term discounts. Driving in Japan is remarkably easy, roads are well marked in English, and other drivers are courteous. To rent a car in Japan you will need a credit card, a valid driver's license, plus an international driver's license which you have to get in your home country. Click on the pic for more details.

Even though there is snow on the peaks of the alps in Nagano, Shimoda is still sunny and warm. There are very few signs of fall in fact, except these big orange persimmon (kaki) ripening on trees all over Izu.

The Travel Volunteer team, Katy and Jamie, came and stayed with us for two nights at Guesthouse tabi-tabi in Shimoda and one night at Lodge tabi-tabi, Hakuba. Here is a pic of Katy chatting with some local ladies in Minami Izu (just south of Shimoda). We had come to our usual sunset spot and ran into this cheerful gaggle of girls who said the clouds in the sky looked like an angel's wing.

Katy and Jamie are on a mission to capture the beauty of Japan and report on conditions in order  to relieve fears and bring the tourists back. You can follow their adventures through the 47 prefectures here. If you would also like to help Japan, report on the endless beauty, and experience the rich culture in the Land of the Rising Sun, you can apply for a 10,000 free airline ticket give-away! Find out more here.