Choose the Rail Gateway for the Coast

For the east, use Atami and Ito, then the railway south toward Izu-Kogen, Kawazu and Izukyu-Shimoda. JR's reserved-seat Odoriko has different peninsula branches, so check the destination on the specific train. For Numazu and the northwest, arrange the onward local rail/road leg through the northern gateways. For central and western Izu, Mishima connects to Shuzenji, with road or bus travel onward. These are route-planning choices, not a single through service to every dive site. Sources: JR East: Odoriko routes; National Parks of Japan: peninsula access.

Choose the Rail Gateway for the Coast

A Tokyo-area air gateway with Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail connections. Continue through the appropriate Tokyo/JR interchange toward Atami, Ito, Mishima or the southern peninsula. Sources: Haneda Airport: train and monorail.

An alternative Tokyo-area gateway with JR, Keisei and Narita Sky Access rail. A JR connection through Tokyo can form part of an Izu itinerary; select the actual service for your destination. Sources: Narita Airport: rail access.

Ito and the East

Rail access makes a car-free stay possible when local pickups are confirmed. Ask whether your service collects at Ito, Izu-Kogen, Jogasaki-Kaigan or another station, rather than guessing. IOP advertises arranged collection from Jogasaki-Kaigan. Sources: Izu Oceanic Park: guided diving; JR East: Odoriko routes.

Numazu and the West

Numazu is a gateway requiring additional transport to Osezaki and western bays. For more distant Nishiizu, use a local base or a planned road journey. The tourism association's bus information links Shuzenji with Toi, Dogashima and Matsuzaki; departures and routings vary. Selected services connect farther south toward Shimoda. Check the final bus and do not assume a missed connection has an easy replacement. Sources: Nishiizu Tourism: Shuzenji-Dogashima buses; Nishiizu Tourism: Dogashima-Shimoda buses.

Shimoda and the South

Izukyu-Shimoda is the rail anchor. Confirm the departure harbor, pickup and return arrangements with each provider. A rental car may simplify a multi-site itinerary, but driving eligibility, parking and the altitude of an inland route need checking. Treat a cross-coast move as travel time rather than a guaranteed quick weather swap.

Rental-car Documents

Obtain the correct documents before departure. Japan accepts a valid Japanese license, a qualifying 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit, or certain designated foreign licenses accompanied by an authorized Japanese translation. A 1968 Vienna Convention IDP alone is insufficient. Verify the permitted vehicle category, original documents and validity for your circumstances; a rental reservation does not establish driving eligibility. Sources: National Police Agency: foreign driver documents, April 2026; Japan Automobile Federation: foreign licenses and IDPs.

Japan's short-visit requirements depend on nationality, passport type and purpose. Many eligible visitors receive visa-exempt short stays, but the permitted duration is not universally 90 days. Check the current MOFA list and the relevant Japanese mission before travel, including passport and supporting-document requirements. Use the official Visit Japan Web service if preparing immigration and customs details online; it does not itself grant a visa or permission to enter. Local diving admission, certification and medical checks are separate from immigration. Sources: MOFA: short-stay visa exemptions; Digital Agency: Visit Japan Web.

Reserve equipment and sizes, and obtain a written list of inclusions. Koganezaki asks for drysuit reservations at least a week ahead. Confirm any courier arrangement with the actual receiver before sending gear. JR lists luggage facilities on Odoriko, but space and configuration vary; use a manageable bag and an agreed pickup. Keep certification, recent logs, insurance and any required medical form accessible. Sources: Koganezaki Dive Center: fees; JR East: Odoriko routes.

Carry yen for small purchases, local transport and providers that do not accept your card. Confirm the dive shop's accepted payment method and cancellation terms before arrival. This guide leaves amounts in JPY and does not apply an exchange-rate estimate. Sources: JNTO: Japanese currency.

Use a compatible ATM in a transport hub or town before an early coastal departure. Seven Bank supports many overseas-issued cards, with card-brand, issuer, operating-hour and fee limitations. Do not rely on finding a suitable machine beside a dive entry. Sources: Seven Bank: overseas cards.

Izu lies east of the Fuji River frequency boundary, so 50Hz is the applicable regional inference. Bring a Type A adapter and verify that chargers accept 100V; an adapter alone does not change voltage. Confirm arrangements for equipment requiring a protective earth. Sources: Kansai Electric: voltage and frequency geography; JNTO: plugs and electricity; JNTO: practical travel FAQ.

Communications

Arrange a suitable travel SIM, eSIM, roaming plan or pocket router and confirm device compatibility. Save the operator's telephone number, meeting point and return route offline. General traveler connectivity advice does not establish reception at an isolated cove or offshore. If emergency calling is needed, a data-only plan may require another means of placing a voice call. Sources: JNTO: Wi-Fi and connectivity. Koganezaki Dive Center specifically warns of possible weak au reception near arrival and asks customers to call while they still have a signal; arrange that contact in advance. Sources: Koganezaki Dive Center: beach facilities and arrival.

Language

Japanese is the default working language. English availability varies by provider and staff date; confirm an English safety briefing rather than assuming a translated website guarantees it. EastDive identifies an English-capable freediving instructor, but that does not establish English staffing at every peninsula facility. Save the written meeting point and any medical form in a format you can show locally. Sources: JNTO: practical travel FAQ; EastDive: PADI freediving course.

Insurance

Choose coverage that explicitly includes the activities you intend to do, your depth and certification, emergency evacuation and medically necessary recompression where applicable. Check exclusions for freediving, overheads, pre-existing conditions and independent activity. Carry the assistance number and follow the policy's emergency-contact requirements. Operator participation insurance or a local fee is not automatically equivalent to your own comprehensive cover. Sources: DAN: emergency assistance.

Packing list

Certification, recent logs, medical paperwork and emergency assistance details.
Suit and boots appropriate to the actual conditions, with drysuit size and training confirmed when relevant.
A personal computer and surface signaling equipment for the booked scuba plan.
A dry bag, warm surface layer, rain shell and footwear with grip.
Sun protection, drinking water and a small towel.
Type A adapter, compatible chargers, power bank and offline transport information.
Cash and a backup payment method.

Izu Peninsula

Logistics

Quick Facts

Getting There

Choose the Rail Gateway for the Coast

Logistics

Quick Facts

Getting There

Choose the Rail Gateway for the Coast

Allow a Real Arrival Day

Airports

Getting Around

Ito and the East

Numazu and the West

Shimoda and the South

Rental-car Documents

Entry Requirements

Gear Logistics Checklist

Practicalities

Currency

Electricity