To get to Shimoda from Osaka, or Kyoto, you should take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Shin-Osaka or Kyoto Station to Atami (141 min). From Atami take the JR Ito line to Ito (23 min) and from Ito take the Izu Kyuoko Line to Izukyu Shimoda Station (69 min).

I suggest you use Hyperdia to check for train schedules, or even better, call the super friendly folks at the JR East English info line. They will be able to help you choose the best departure time. Sometimes leaving later means arriving earlier! The number is:

050-2016-1603

(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.

As I have mentioned in my blog about kayaking, the best way to see Izu's rugged coastline is from the sea. But if you are not feeling so active and don't want to spend a day paddling then I highly recommend taking a 25 minute cruise around Irozaki. Irozaki is the southern most tip of the Izu Peninsula, about a 30 minute drive from Shimoda. It is also possible to take a bus from the Kisami area then walk down to the peer. Boats depart every 30 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 15:30 p.m. and cost ¥1200 for adults/¥600 for children. You will most likely be on the A Course tour since the B Course is only used on days when the sea is too choppy to head west. Once your ship gets out of the bay, look up and you will see Irozaki (Cape Iro) easily identified with its shrine built into the cliff. You can also visit this shrine after you disembark by following the path from the peer up and along the cape. More about the shrine and look-out point here, and a link for the Izu Cruise homepage here.

The fastest way to get just about anywhere in Japan is by bullet train or what the Japanese call Shinkansen. There are no direct Shinkansens from Tokyo to Shimoda but it is possible to take a shinkansen half way, from Tokyo Station to Atami, and then transfer to a Super Express called Odoriko. The journey takes a mere 2 hours but will cost you ¥7090 one way.

You can save more than 50% by sticking to regular trains. You can read about the cheapest option here. There easiest way to get to Shimoda is to take 1 train direct from Tokyo to Izukyu Shimoda, find out more here, or call the JR East Info line for help: 

050-2016-1603

(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 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 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.

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:

050-2016-1603

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.

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.