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.

We have moved west, back to Japan's Northern Alps, and back to Lodge tabi-tabi. We will be making another appearance in Shimoda on October 21st to prep the house for a couple of very special guests. Later this month we will be providing accommodation for Katy and Jamie, the Travel Volunteer Team. They are on a 100+1 day mission to visit every prefecture of Japan and "show the world that Japan remains a safe and attractive destination for travellers from all over the world". We are really looking forward to meeting this adventurous couple. You can follow their amazing journey here.

From October until the end of March, Guesthouse tabi-tabi in Shimoda will be available as a private rental only. You can take over the whole place, 4 bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, the backyard, and all the bikes for 36,000 yen a night plus linen and cleaning fees. So if you are looking for your very own cottage get-a-away, please fill in one of our enquiry forms, or send us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you would also like check out the mountains in the picture above, then come and visit us at Lodge tabi-tabi, Hakuba.

Restaurant Marley has a great big deck where you could sip coffee and read the paper for hours. They serve eggs, toast, pancakes, cereal, yogurt, fruit.....everything a westerner craves on a Sunday morning. This ideal breakfast spot is less than 10 minutes on foot from tabi-tabi, just past the entrance to Ohama Beach. They are also open for lunch and dinner, and serve special dinners which can be ordered two days in advance. Click on the breakfast menu for a larger version.

Breakfast/Lunch: 9:00 - 15:00

Dinner: 17:00 - 20:00

Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

You can also find it on our recommendation maps here and here

At the Ra-Maru Diner in Michi-no-Eki they serve a fish burger made with Shimoda's most popular fish, kin-me-dai (aka splendid alfonsino). ¥1000 may seem a little pricey for a fish burger and some chips, but it's a tasty change from its beef and bun cousin.

Open:10:00 - 17:00

Earny's is a great new Italian restaurant propped up against a rocky island in Shimoda Bay (there is a bridge). We were impressed with their excellent lunch menu. For only ¥1500 we got an appetizer of our choice, picked out a pasta which came with a salad, and then had to choose from a yummy selection of desserts, and finised off with our choice of coffee or tea.

Lunch: 11:30 - 14:00

Dinner: 18:00 - 22:00  (last order 21:00)

Closed: Tuesday

You can find it on our recommendation map here

Just a short stroll from Guesthouse tabi-tabi a Jerk Chicken Shop has opened up. Their cozy nook, Bingo, is situated right next to Kisami's shrine so on late evenings in September you can listen to live taiko drumming, shamisen, and bamboo flutes while filling up on their Jamaican Style BBQed bird, and draft beer.

Open: 11:30 - 20:00

Closed: Tuesday

You can also find it on our recommendation maps here and here.

Here is a picture of the Kisami area of Shimoda. From left to right, Goishi Beach, Ohama Beach, Maiso Beach, Irita Beach, Tatado Beach, and then more rocky coast line.

Southern Izu is covered in Lilies of every kind,but the White Spider Lily has the sweetest fragrance of them all. Keep your eyes open, and put the brakes on when you spot one. Bet you can't sniff just once.