shizuoka Prefecture

From Tokyo to Izu
Without a Car

A cabin retreat with ocean-view onsen

A few months after my Mt. Fuji getaway at SANU 2nd Home Yamanakako 1st, I decided to explore another SANU retreat — this time by the ocean. SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st is part of SANU’s growing network of sustainable homes across Japan, created for people who want the feeling of a second home in nature without owning land.

Unlike the forest cabins of Yamanakako, the Izu location faces the Pacific Ocean. Here, minimalist design meets sweeping sea views, private onsen baths, and the fresh flavors of coastal Japan. Curious to see how SANU’s “Live with Nature” philosophy feels by the sea, I booked a girls’ trip to Izu.

Below is everything we experienced at SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st — from tuna bowls and volcanic cliffs to cooking dinner together and soaking in our own ocean-view hot spring.

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This article was created in collaboration with SANU 2nd Home, based on my stay and experiences at their Izu location

What is SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st?

SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st is designed for slow stays, with minimalist spaces that are deeply connected to their surroundings. From the outside, the property looks like a sleek modern inn — a long building tucked between green hills and the open ocean. Inside, warm cedar and simple lines create calm, uncluttered interiors.

two-store minimalist style gray building surrounded by greenery

Every accommodation here includes:

♨️ A private open-air onsen bath overlooking the Pacific Ocean (the highlight of staying here!)
🥘 Spacious interiors with a full kitchen, perfect for cooking with local ingredients
👫 A retreat-like atmosphere ideal for couples, families, or friends

Some units are pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog, while others are equipped with a private sauna. It’s less about "staying in a hotel" and more about borrowing a thoughtfully designed seaside home.

Izu is a Perfect Coastal Getaway from Tokyo Without a Car

While Hakone’s hot springs are famous (and often crowded), the Izu Peninsula offers a more peaceful alternative with rugged coastlines and fewer tourists. Choosing SANU Izu means waking up to ocean views, soaking in your own private onsen, and tasting some of Japan’s freshest seafood.

Highlights of the Izu Peninsula

Jogasaki Kaigan Coast

Black volcanic cliffs, pine forests, and the famous Kadowaki Suspension Bridge
Seafood, especially maguro (tuna)

Buttery cuts thanks to the Kuroshio Current that brings nutrient-rich waters to the region
Outdoor activities

Hiking, coastal walks, diving, and cycling

Best of all, Izu is just 2.5 hours from Tokyo by train,
making it one of the easiest coastal escapes without a car.

How to Get to SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st (No Car Needed)

Whether you start from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station, the journey to SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st is simple. All routes connect at Atami Station, where you transfer to the Izu Kyūkō Line. From there, ride to either:

Futo Station (富戸駅) — the closest to SANU
Jōgasaki-Kaigan Station (城ヶ崎海岸駅) — ideal if you want to enjoy the coastal walk before check-in

train platform with a train on one side and green trees on the other side

From Tokyo Station (Fastest)

Shinkansen (Kodama) to Atami (~45 min, ~¥4,000)
Transfer to Izu Kyūkō Line (~40−50 min, ~¥1,200)
👉 Total: ~1.5−2 hrs / ~¥5,000 (one way)
Book here
From Shinjuku Station (Budget & Scenic)

JR Shōnan-Shinjuku Line to Atami (~2−2.5 hrs, ~¥2,500)
Transfer to Izu Kyūkō Line (~40−50 min, ~¥1,200)
👉 Total: ~2.5−3 hrs / ~¥3,500 (one way)

view of behind front window of a rural train approaching a tunnel

The train ride itself is part of the experience, with scenic tunnels and sweeping Pacific Ocean views — a journey worth filming.

From Futo Station, SANU Izu 1st is less than 15 minutes walk or only about 5 minutes by car. Since this is a small local station, taxis are not always waiting outside. Here are the easiest options:

Use the GO taxi app, which works in many parts of Japan (credit card payment available)
Call a local taxi company directly — the phone number is usually posted on a sign near the station exit

DAY 1

Jogasaki Coast Walk and Fresh Tuna Lunch

We arrived at Jōgasaki-Kaigan Station (城ヶ崎海岸駅), a small, quiet stop on the Izu Kyūkō Line. There are coin lockers at the station (bring 100-yen coins), handy if you want to drop off bags before walking the coast.

By then, we were hungry. There are small, family-run restaurants near the station, but we wanted to try something Izu is famous for: maguro (tuna). Thanks to the warm Kuroshio Current, the peninsula’s waters are rich with migratory fish, making tuna from Izu especially fresh and fatty.

We stopped at 南々亭 (Nannantei), a local spot popular for toro-don (fatty tuna bowls), seafood rice bowls, and even steak. The thick, buttery slices of tuna melted into the rice — a perfect first taste of Izu.

Jogasaki Kaigan Coastal Walk

After lunch, we set out for the Jogasaki Kaigan Coast, one of the most dramatic landscapes on the Izu Peninsula. The Jogasaki Picnic Course begins about a 20-minute walk from the station, leading you along black volcanic cliffs shaped by ancient eruptions. Pine trees lean toward the sea, waves crash far below, and the salty wind makes you feel so awake!

The highlight is the Kadowaki Suspension Bridge, swaying slightly as you cross above foaming waves. It’s also where local legend lingers: the story of Hanshiro and Oyoshi, a couple separated when Hanshiro drowned at sea. Oyoshi’s grief turned her to stone — and some say her silhouette still watches the horizon at sunset.

Along the way, we saw families hiking, couples strolling, and even a few divers heading toward Izu Ocean Park, a popular dive spot nearby. But the paths never felt crowded. The sound of the sea and wind through the pines was what stayed with us most.

Stocking Up Before Check-In

After our coastal walk, we took a taxi to Tokyu Store Izu-Kōgen, the main supermarket in the area. Since the SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st is surrounded by nature and there are no shops nearby, this was the best chance to stock up on everything we’d need.

We filled our basket with fresh tuna sashimi, vegetables, fruit, and pizza ingredients — simple but perfect for a night in. From the supermarket, we continued by taxi directly to SANU Izu 1st.

Arrival at SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st

When I stayed at SANU 2nd Home Yamanakako 1st near Mt. Fuji, the cabins were scattered through the forest, each one a little hideaway surrounded by trees. It felt intimate and secluded, like stepping into a woodland retreat. But SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st has a different character.

From the outside, the property looks like a sleek modern inn: a long, minimalist building tucked between lush green hills and the open Pacific.

Check-in was contactless via a door code.

Inside, the design carries SANU’s familiar warmth — pale cedar, soft light, and uncluttered spaces that feel calming from the moment you step in. And then, the highlight: every single room has its own private open-air onsen bath with ocean views. That alone makes it worth the booking. Unlike public hot springs, we could soak anytime we wanted, in complete privacy, with no need to worry about tattoos or etiquette.

The units are designed not just for sleeping but for living. With a full kitchen and plenty of space, it felt like having our own seaside apartment. That evening we cooked together — put pizza in the oven, toss fresh salads, pour some sparkling — and turned the space into a cozy girls' night in.

Cooking, laughing, and later slipping into the hot spring under the night sky made the stay feel less like a hotel visit and more like borrowing a beach house with friends.

DAY 2

Morning Coffee and Exploring the Izu Coast

We woke up early and, of course, soaked again in the onsen. Steam rose in the cool air while the Pacific roared beneath — one of those rare travel mornings that makes you wish you could pause time.

view of a private outside hot bath in a morning light

Unlike a hotel, SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st doesn’t provide breakfast, which gave us the perfect excuse to head out. After packing up, we took a short taxi ride to 珈琲屋美豆 futo (Coffee-ya Mizu Futo), a cozy cafe near Futo Station.

The space felt more like a small gallery than a cafe — shelves lined with handmade ceramics, warm wooden interiors, and a gentle morning playlist. We ordered freshly brewed coffee, fluffy toast sets, and seasonal side dishes.

a breakfast of coffee, egg toast and little snacks

It struck us how many places in Izu are dog-friendly. Families often travel here with pets, and cafes and restaurants are surprisingly welcoming. It adds to the relaxed, local atmosphere.

Things to Do Nearby If You Stay Longer

If you have more time in Izu, there are plenty of easy day activities near SANU Izu 1st:

Lake Ippeki (一碧湖)

A peaceful crater lake surrounded by forest. In autumn, the foliage reflects on the water in fiery reds and yellows, making it a perfect spot for a slow walk.
Izu Shaboten Zoo

Famous for its cactus gardens and especially the sight of capybaras bathing in outdoor hot springs during winter, a quirky tradition loved by locals.
Mt. Omuro (大室山)

Take a chairlift to the top of this grassy volcanic cone. From the summit, you can see Mt. Fuji, the Pacific Ocean, and the rolling Izu Highlands.

Final Thoughts: A Car-Free Escape to Izu

For those planning a trip to the Izu Peninsula without a car, SANU 2nd Home Izu 1st is an ideal base. Each unit has a private ocean-view onsen, the design is minimalist yet warm, and the location blends coastal nature with easy access to charming cafes.

It’s perfect for a girls' trip, a romantic getaway, or a slow retreat by the sea. Our evening of cooking, our starry-night soak, and our peaceful morning in the onsen made this stay unforgettable.

If you’re curious about how different SANU locations feel, you might also enjoy my story about staying at SANU 2nd Home Yamanakako 1st near Mt. Fuji — where the cabins are hidden in a quiet forest creating a completely different atmosphere.

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