Archives: Travel Post

The museum and ivory art treasure house in Toi, Izu, moved to Izu Kogen from September 2014, and reopened as the Museum of Ivory and Stone Sculpture. It houses art and crafts, including jewelry folding screens, double-sided embroidery and jade carvings, among the world's largest, with a focus on 120 oriental ivory carvings. There are about 270 works on display, all of which are national treasures. Ivory carving works in particular are said to eclipse the Palace Museum in Taiwan. Now that the import of ivory is forbidden by the Washington Convention, it is the only place that can be found in the world. The building is barrier-free with a one-story building, and an experience corner is also attached.

There are about 250 pieces of Karakuri watches from Japan, Germany and other places on display. When you think it's just a watch, suddenly a doll hits a bell. There is also a video corner where you can see various kinds of Karakuri. It takes 60 minutes.

It mainly displays fossils of ammonites and fish excavated in Hokkaido, as well as replicas of tyrannosaurus bones, mainly from 150 to 70 million years ago. There is also a fossil excavation experience corner, and the director, who is also an expert, will tell you while explaining. The excavated fossils can be taken home. Journey (including experience) 1 hour.

About 1500 species of cactus and succulent plants of the world are planted in a garden of about 200,000 square meters, and can meet about 140 kinds of animals. "Animal Boat Tours" is a popular animal guided tour where you can take a boat tour of large and small islands and coasts in a large pond in the center of the park to observe the animals. There is also a course where you can land on the island of squirrel monkeys and ring-tailed lemurs for a petting experience. It is also fun to be able to interact with animals and treat them everywhere, such as peafowl, which has been left free-range. The "Genso Capybara's Open-air Bath" was held in winter only, and is now familiar to many as the "Izu's Winter Wind Poem".

About 40 species of 1000 cherry trees are planted in a 40,000-square-meter-wide garden area at the western foot of Mount Omuro. Kanzakura, Yoshino cherry and blooming season follow, and the flower can be seen from mid-September until May of the following year. There is also a rest building, an outdoor stage and a dog park on the site.

It is a symbolic mountain of the Izu Kogen, and you can see the shape of a bowl from all over the Izu Kogen. The mountain surface is covered with kaya and has an elevation of 580m. You can climb to the summit with a lift, and from the top you can enjoy a wonderful view of Amagi Renzan, Mount Fuji, and Izu Oshima over the sea. On the second Sunday of February, a mountain grill (fire at 12 o'clock) is held, and the whole mountain is covered in fire.

The stainless steel exterior catches the eye, a museum of contemporary painting and sculpture. A collection of about 1400 paintings produced in the 20th century, mainly with the theme of "human beings" in sculptures. Renoir, Picasso, Miro, Dali, Chagall, Matisse, Warhol and other great 20th-century masters are on permanent display. A special planned exhibition is also held once every three months. It takes 40 minutes.

Herbs are in full bloom on the 2000 tsubo site, which is rich in nature, and there are also greenhouses and shops. There are also experience facilities, and experience classes (from 1728 yen each for about 30 minutes) for making handmade soap and curry powder are popular.

4km of lake around. The lakeside is covered with forest, and the view of the Aeshiro Renzan on the surface of the lake is stunning, which is also known as "Izu no Hitomi". There are many cherry blossoms on the shores of the lake, and it is also a famous place for flower viewing. On the south shore stands a monument of the Yosano Tetsukan [Yosano Tekkan] and Akiko [Akiko].

A day bath is accepted between 15 and 22 o'clock at a hot spring facility in Izukawana resort hotel, which also has a pool and a tennis court. The smooth-skinned Tsushima Onsen is used in the hot water and in the open-air bath. The outdoor bath is wrapped in the rich green of Izu and serves as an eye candy. Accommodation is from 19,980 yen per night for 2 meals (1 room for 2 people). On the reservation, a private bath is also available for day bathing.