Just 100 kilometres from the intensity of Tokyo lies a peaceful peninsula blessed with idyllic beaches, azure seas and a lush, mountainous interior peppered with mineral-rich hot springs. The Izu Peninsula’s east coast is its tourism epicentre, attracting scores of visitors who come to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, surfing and other leisure activities. The west coast constitutes the peninsula’s wilder side, with a rocky coastline and a rich marine ecosystem that lends itself to excellent scuba diving. In the right weather conditions, this side of the peninsula also boasts views of iconic Mount Fuji, just 50 kilometres away.