Jogasaki Coast
The Jogasaki Coast, Jogasaki Kaigan in Japanese, is a rugged stretch of dark volcanic coastline on the eastern shore of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
- Jogasaki Coast Geological History
- Jogasaki Kaigan Train Station
- Izu Kaiyo Park / New York Lamp and Flower Museum
- Jogasaki Hiking Path
- Kadowaki Lighthouse and Kadowaki Suspension Bridge
- Places to stay on the Jogasaki Coast
- How to get to the Jogasaki Coast
- Japan City Guides
Jogasaki Coast, Ito City, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture 城ヶ崎海岸 伊東市 伊豆半島 静岡県
Johannes Schonherr
The Jogasaki Coast, Jogasaki Kaigan in Japanese, is a rugged stretch of dark volcanic cliff coastline on the eastern shore of the Izu Peninsula, southwest of Tokyo and Yokohama. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and at the same time, part of the Izu Peninsula Geo Park.
A hiking path runs along the upper side of the cliff line and offers breathtaking views both onto the cliffs itself as well as out over the Sagaminada Sea (part of the Pacific Ocean) towards Izu Oshima Island.
Jogasaki Coast, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture
Kadowaki Suspension Bridge, Jogasaki Coast
Jogasaki Coast Geological History
The Izu Peninsula is a very active seismic zone. The most recent volcanic eruption on a scale so enormous that it drastically re-defined the geography of the whole area took place about 4,000 years ago. At that time, molten lava spewing from a crater built up right around its source, all the way up to 580 meters. The result of this build-up is today's Mount Omuro, located a few kilometers behind the Jogasaki Coast.
However, not all the lava stayed close to its source. Much of it crashed right into the ocean, creating in the long run the fertile plain between Mount Omuro and the coastline. The Jogasaki Coast marks the furthest reaches the molten lava made into the sea.
4,000 years is a short time in geological terms. Too short a period for the ocean waves to smooth out the bizarre features of the gigantic mass of lava encountering the sea.
From May to July, hydrangea flowers line the way to the Jogasaki Coast
Izu Kaiyo Park, Jogasaki Coast
Jogasaki Kaigan Train Station
Today, the Jogasaki Coast is a popular day trip destination for visitors from Tokyo. It even serves as the name for a train station on the Izu Kyuko Line, running between Atami and Izu Shimoda.
Jogasaki Kaigan Station is built in the style of a log house and sits on top of a steep slope, way up from the road below. Seen from below, it doesn't look like a train station at all.
There is a diving gear rental shop close to the station, there is a café. When arriving here straight from Tokyo, the scenery stepping out of the station feels very much like arriving in a decidedly southern coastal area.
There is no bus stop at the station. Signs recommend taxi services, spelling out the prices for the most popular destinations. The next bus stop is a short walk away at an intersection named Renchakuji-guchi. Buses run about once an hour in the daytime. So, it might be better just to walk to the shore. It only takes about 20 minutes.
It's a pleasant walk. Depending on the season, you might be walking below blooming cherry trees (in late March / early April) or along an abundance of hydrangea flowers (May - July).
Renchakuji-guchi, the name of the intersection, refers to Renchaku-ji, an ancient Buddhist temple right above the coastline.
The actual start of the Jogasaki cliff hiking course starts however a few hundred meters north of the temple, right next to Izu Kaiyo Park. Izu Kaiyo Park is also the final destination of the bus to the Jogasaki Coast.
Entrance to the hydrangea section of Izu Kaiyo Park
Oyster Bay stained glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany at the New York Lamp and Flower Museum (Izu Kaiyo Park)
Izu Kaiyo Park / New York Lamp and Flower Museum
Izu Kaiyo Park calls itself in English the New York Lamp and Flower Museum. English-language signs pointing it out are ubiquitous.
There are no eateries further along the Jogasaki Coast, so you might want to grab a meal of ramen, udon or soba noodles at the outdoor restaurant adjoining the park.
If indeed you want to enter the park be prepared for a steep admission ticket of 1,200 yen per person.
The park does offer a great variety of seasonal flowers planted to colorfully contrast with the sea.
The park also features an impressive and very colorful museum displaying stained glass lamps and windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848 - 1933), the master of American Art Nouveau glass works, as well as later creations in his tradition.
From May to July, the ajisai (hydrangea) section of the park offers a dazzling variety of the colorful flower.
Peek towards the Jogasaki cliffs from the Jogasaki Coast hiking course
Jogasaki Hiking Path
The actual Jogasaki Coast hiking course starts right next to the entrance of Izu Kaiyo Park (aka the New York Lamp and Flower Museum).
It offers two versions: the shorter one leads through the woods further inland, the longer one directly follows the coastline on top of the cliffs. The latter one is of course the more interesting course as it affords views towards the cliffs from multiple angles.
There are hardly any barriers. So, be aware that when taking a photo of that cliff across that small bay, you are standing right next to the edge of a steep rock wall of a similar cliff. Trees obscure the cliff's edge. You don't want to take that one step too far just for a photo.
Close to the edge of the cliff - the Jogasaki Coast hiking course
Kadowaki Lighthouse and Kadowaki Suspension Bridge
After walking for about 20 minutes, you arrive at the Kadowaki Lighthouse. It marks the eastern-most point of the Jogasaki Coast.
The lighthouse can be entered for free. From the observation deck on top, you get good views out over the Sagaminada Sea towards the Izu Shichito (the seven islands in front of Izu), including Izu Oshima. Looking inland, you can see the top of Mount Omuro.
Just a few steps from the lighthouse is the Kadowaki Suspension Bridge, the most famous landmark of the area. The red pedestrian bridge spans a small cove between the cliffs, it's 48 meters long and 23 meters above the water.
Clambering over the volcanic stones towards the edge of the cliff will get you great views of decidedly bizarre rock formations.
Jogasaki Coast with Kodawaki Lighthouse
Signs point to the Boranaya Restaurant at the northern end of the Jogasaki Coast. Following those signs will let you continue the hike right along the rocky coast line.
At one point, you will see a tiny vintage cannon mounted right next to the trail. In fact, that cannon is a replica of the type of cannon hastily deployed in large numbers as naval defenses around Edo, today's Tokyo, after the first visit by Commodore Perry and his Black Ships to Japan in 1853, demanding the opening of Japan's ports.
The Jogasaki Coast, not far from the entrance to Tokyo Bay, was considered a crucial maritime defense line at the time.
Fortunately, those cannons were never fired. The cannon on display looks rather more 16th than 19th century and would have been utterly useless against Perry's modern steam frigates with their state-of-the-art naval guns.
Replica of a late Edo era cannon, Jogasaki Coast
Boranaya Restaurant
The cliff coast eventually flattens out. Right when the hiking path reaches sea level, you arrive at the Boranaya Restaurant. The Boranaya is a traditional sea food restaurant operating in an old thatched-roof house.
If you plan to conclude your Jogasaki Coast hike with a sumptuous seafood meal at the Boranaya, please be aware that the restaurant closes at 4.30 pm.
There is no bus stop in the vicinity of the Boranaya. Jogasaki Kaigan and Futo train stations (the latter being one stop closer towards Ito City / Atami) are in walking distance however. Taxi fares to either station are about 1,000 yen.
Boranaya Restaurant, Jogasaki Coast
Places to stay
The area near the Jogasaki Coast has a wide range of places to stay, from cheap hostels to high class hotels and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns). Hotel Minamikaikisen is a two star hotel with outdoor terrace and garden. Tamayurano Kaze is a three star hotel offering large air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms and a terrace with each room. Resort Hotel Corte Largo Izu Kogen is four star accommodation for those that prefer a bit of luxury.
Rock formations on the Jogasaki Coast
Access - Getting to the Jogasaki Coast
Go to Atami Station in Atami on the JR Tokaido Line or a Kodama train of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Change there to the JR Ito Line towards Izukyu Shimoda in Shimoda at the base of the Izu Peninsula. Get off at Jogasaki Kaigan Station.
Detailed English language area maps are available for free at Jogasaki Kaigan Station.
Izu Kaiyo Park / New York Lamp and Flower Museum
During daytime, buses terminating at Izu Kaiyo Park leave about once per hour from Renchakuji-guchi bus stop near Jogasaki Kaigan Station.
The park is about a 20 minute walk from Jogasaki Kaigan Station.
Opening times: March to October 9 am to 5 pm, November to February 9 am to 4 pm. No closing day.
Admission: Adults (junior high school and above) 1,200 yen, elementary school students 600 yen, younger children free. The admission ticket includes access to the Tiffany Glass Museum.
Address: 841-1 Futo, Ito-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tel: 0557 51 1128
Website nylfmuseum.com (in Japanese)
Kadowaki Suspension Bridge with Kadowaki Lighthouse in the background
Boranaya Restaurant
Access by hiking or taxi
Opening times: 9 am to 4.30 pm, no holidays
Japanese seafood, price range about 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen (without drinks)
Address: 837 Futo, Ito-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tel: 0557 51 1247
Website www.boranaya.com (in Japanese)