Izu Peninsula: Japan's "Florida"
Jutting into the Pacific Ocean from Shizuoka Prefecture, the Izu Peninsula bears a striking resemblance to the state of Florida. Its eastern coast faces Sagami Bay, while the western coast looks out over Suruga Bay. However, unlike Florida, much of the interior is mountainous. This creates a landscape of dramatic coastlines, lush forests, hot springs, and secluded resorts.
Izu has been a popular getaway for centuries. During the Edo period (1603–1868), when Tokyo w
