Japan’s Onsen Beach Town 🇯🇵 Luxury Train Saphir Odoriko [2.5 hours from Tokyo] Summer in Shimoda

Japan’s Onsen Beach Town 🇯🇵 Luxury Train Saphir Odoriko [2.5 hours from Tokyo] Summer in Shimoda

Today we’ll spend three days and two nights at a Japanese beach town, Shimoda. A direct train ride from Tokyo. It’s home to Japan’s famous white sand beaches. Great for swimming and especially surfing. Shimoda is also full of natural onsens, with a lot of hotels that have the water come directly to your room. We’ll explore the town, a historic location that ended Japan’s 200 plus years of isolation and we’ll take the luxury train, Saphir Odoriko back to Tokyo. I’ll share cost breakdowns, how to get here, and tips for visiting this summer beach town loved by locals. So let’s go! We checked in last night and got up pretty early today. We’re staying at the Hotel Sea Shell, a resort hotel styled like the Mediterranean. It feels so tropical. It’s hard to believe we’re only three hours away from Tokyo. We chose to stay here, mainly for the location. An easy five minute walk to the beach. It’s a little cloudy today, but it’s hot here in Japan, so we’re super excited to go swim. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m., so let’s eat and head out. Ingredients are all local and from the hotel’s farm Shimoda is a quaint and laidback beach town. It’s located on the southern end of the Izu Peninsula, three hours away from Tokyo on the Odoriko train. But because of a typhoon last night, we ended up taking the slower Tokaido Line with delays. Typhoon season in Japan generally runs from May through October. It’s not uncommon for trains to suspend or delay services during strong winds. If you’re visiting during this season, try to be positive and flexible if this happens! A five minute walk and we’re at the beach, Shirahama! Literally meaning white beach, it has soft white sands and clear blue waters. The official swimming season starts in July through August, with lifeguards, safety nets and rentals for lots of beach equipment and toys. But we’re here in September, so all the extra stuff is gone. But the beach is still beautiful and very suitable for swimming. Conveniently, there’s a 7-Eleven and Family Mart right across the street. Both are stocked with anything you could have forgotten, including fireworks, swimsuits, sunscreen, and beach toys. Surfing is pretty popular with lots of rental options nearby, and you can see surfers all throughout the year and even into the colder months. North of this beach, there’s Central Beach, which is a smaller, rockier cove perfect for snorkeling or fishing. Everything you need for the beach! Originally, the plan was to go to Kamakura, but we wanted a more laid back tropical getaway, so we chose Shimoda instead. It felt like we were in Okinawa or Hawaii. And luckily, no big crowds. Honestly, if time allows, Japan has so many wonderful locations outside of big cities that are definitely worth the visit. Usually people visit the Izu Peninsula with a car, but we didn’t have one and still made it work by walking using the bus and taxi, which wasn’t too expensive. This tree is 2,000 years old and is said to grant wishes If you listen closely, you can hear gagaku music! It’s meant to enhance the sacred mood Our room is the Ibiza room for ¥35,000, or $244 per night. This is definitely a fancier hotel option for this area, as you can find cheaper places to stay that also have a great location. But we went with this room mainly for the personal onsen in the bathroom. It’s filled directly with natural hot spring water and filters and heats itself. The bathroom can also be fully opened up to the balcony. That gives you an amazing view of Shimoda. When you use the shower, cover the bath with these panels The toilet has its own room The onsen water in Shimoda is clear and odorless, with a smooth, silky feel Suitable for sensitive skin, the water relieves muscle pain, improves circulation, and fatigue To end the night, we reserved one of the hotel’s private outdoor onsen, which is free for guests. This one is called Star, and it looks as if you’re in
Santorini, Greece. So even if you book a regular room, you can still enjoy the onsen here. We’re standing on Daimyojin Rock at Shirahama Beach, where this bright red torii gate faces the sea. It’s a local power spot known for blessings in love, childbirth, and family happiness. The best time to come is early in the morning, when you can capture a shot with the sun rising behind. Legend has it that long ago, a powerful Shinto god named Daimyojin rode the ocean currents until he washed ashore right here. Then he met Ikonahime, the guardian of the coast. The two fell in love, and from their union, the Izu Islands were born. But scientifically, this whole area was full of volcanoes that are now dormant, and over millions of years created these islands as well as the Izu Peninsula itself. That’s why it’s so rich in onsen water, making it a top hot spring destination. To honor the creation of the islands, the shrine we visited yesterday, holds a fire festival every year in late October. It’s a three day event, so if you’re in the area, stop by to see the rituals and enjoy the food stalls and fireworks. Cheers! It’s going to be a clear day! Resting until breakfast time The weather is clearing up today, and we’re getting the true Shimoda experience. Our breakfast table is set up exactly at 8 a.m.. With the name of our room on a card. The menu rotates. And honestly, one of my favorite meals during this trip. After, we’ll go into town to check out Perry Road, the place that ended Japan’s centuries of isolation from the outside back in 1853. We’ll explore the area and get lunch there. It’ll be a 15 minute bus ride, which is the main way to get around here if you don’t have a car or taxi. The closest bus station is a 5 min walk, right in front of the shrine We’ll take the 9:21 a.m. bus Exactly on time, here comes the bus! ¥400 or $3 USD for the bus, suica cards work! The bus stops right at Izukyu Shimoda Station, and across the street there’s a sign pointing towards Perry Road. It’ll be a 15 minute walk through the main shopping street. Taking you back to the 1850s, Japan was isolated for over 200 years because of a policy enforced by the Tokugawa shogunate. This meant trade and relations with outside countries were strictly regulated. During this time, Shimoda was a flourishing port where all Japanese ships going to and from Edo, modern day Tokyo, were required to stop for inspection. In a single day, over 3000 ships can come and go. But in 1853, a fleet of black ships from America sailed to Shimoda, led by Matthew C Perry. A year later, a treaty was signed and Shimoda became an open port, ending the shogunates policy and marking the start of the country’s modernization. Every year in May, you can see the Black Ship Festival here in Shimoda. That commemorates this event. U.S. naval marching bands, as well as local citizens dressed in Edo period costumes, march in a parade. Perry’s hometown of Newport, Rhode Island, Shimoda’s sister city, also has their own Black Ship Festival. When in Shimoda, you have to try the seafood. I got a little bit of everything but the Golden Eye snapper, or Kinmedai is what Shimoda is known for. Here we have a prepared nitsuke style, simmered in soy sauce until tender. Many local restaurants will offer this fish, as its one of the most prized catches on the Izu Peninsula. And very delicious. I hope you are enjoying this video and learning about Shimoda. Please consider liking and subscribing as that’ll help the channel continue to grow. Now we’ll go explore the local shops in the area. Every day at noon & 5 p.m., the outdoor radio plays the Westminster Chimes This tests the emergency speakers and signals children it’s time to head home Shimoda in 1916, this is where we are now! This liquor store has been open since 1898. It’s full of retro signs dating all the way back to the Meiji and Showa eras. And it’s almost like a museum in itself. Here you can buy Reimei, a sake made from rice grown in Shimoda. It’s soft, refreshing and easy to drink and sold in limited quantities. Across the street is a warehouse full of retro items on display that chronicles the history of the store, as well as local crafts you can purchase. I got this Shimoda history book for this video’s research! And a cute t-shirt that supports a local event There’s Shirahama Beach! We decided to taxi back, but here are some other shops I recommend when you visit Shimoda. Lolo Kurofune, try the Kaikoku Caramel. It’s a crisp wafer with a walnut caramel filling. Hirai Seika, sells these uniquely shaped red bean buns. The milk flavor is a bestseller. Nisshindo, fans of the author Yukio Mishima, come here to taste his favorite madeleine cakes. Kineido, home of the salted butter dorayaki. Dubbed the best dorayaki by visitors. Yamada Katsuobushiten, for a unique souvenir, you can try the freshly shaved bonito flakes here. And finally, Ogisoshoten Honten! If you have access to a barbecue grill, get some of the fish to go. I’ve linked all these shops below and they’re all walkable from Izukyu Shimoda Station. Watching some TV and soaking in the bath Time to check out the other private onsen you can reserve for free The crickets are very loud at night! This bath is called Sakura because in Spring, this would be your view! Time to check out! It’s currently 11:30 a.m., and we just checked out at 10 a.m.. Taxi’d to the station and dropped off our bags at a coin locker. The Saphir Odoriko departs at 2:18 p.m., so we have some time. A 15 minute walk from the train station is a michi no eki, or roadside station. It’s full of local products, souvenirs, and where we’ll eat some delicious Shimoda Burgers. This place is famous for the Shimoda Burger! A fried kinmedai (golden eye snapper) fillet burger with teriyaki glaze Lots of shops and restaurants here at the roadside station! Great restaurant for the freshest local seafood! Road up with a group of passionate young photgraphers! My iPhone doesn’t do the view justice Right across the train station is the Shimoda Ropeway up to Mount Nesugata. It’s about a three minute ride and has amazing panoramic views. There’s also a park which you take around 45 minutes to leisurely walk through. But we didn’t have time, so we skipped it. To give you an idea, the main area would be Aizendo Temple, a temple known for love, fertility, and matchmaking. Along the way are beautiful gardens full of seasonal flowers. There’s also this amazing cafe right at the entrance that I terribly regret not making time for. Ideally, I would have eaten here first, strolled around the park and then taken the ropeway back down. But hopefully you guys get to enjoy it and can let us know how it is. Back at the train station to board the Saphir Odoriko! Plenty of stores at the station for souvenirs! So much easier to collect stamps at smaller stations! We’re in the premium green car one, and a one way ticket cost ¥12,000 or $85. The Saphir Odoriko is the most luxurious way to travel to and from the Izu Peninsula and Tokyo. The service launched in 2020, and has a sleek design with luxury seats, private rooms and a dedicated cafe car with sit down food service. We got super lucky and actually booked this train in person at Izukyu Shimoda Station 3 days ago. Booking tickets for the Saphir Odoriko is straightforward, but if you’re interested, we laid out the steps on our website for free. The Saphir Odoriko mostly travels once per day, and compared to the cheaper regular Odoriko, which costs ¥6300 or $44 and travels three times a day. The Saphir Odoriko is definitely a luxury option. The regular Odoriko train even travels on the same track and has the same views, so don’t worry if you’re not able to book the Saphir. This chime is special just for the Saphir Odoriko called “La Mer Bleue” This particular chime is very popular amongst rail fans in Japan I also got goosebumps when I first heard it onboard 🙂 We’re now heading to the cafe car to eat! The staff starts a timer on your reservation page It gives you 20 min to eat, but don’t worry it’s enough time We’re now in car 4, which is a dedicated kitchen and cafeteria. In order to experience the sit down service, you need a reservation. We booked ours in advance, which also includes ordering and paying for your food ahead of time. If you’re already on board, you can ask a crew member for any last minute slots. It all depends on how busy it is that day, but if you’re unable to get a reservation, you can order Izu themed snacks delivered right to your seat through the snack trolley that comes by! There are 2 types of private rooms you can book
(up to 4 or 6 people) Per person, it can be cheaper if you have a large group! The Odoriko trains are named after the novel,
Izu no Odoriko, or the dancing girl of Izu by Nobel Prize author
Yasunari Kawabata. Published in 1926, the novel is about a lonely Tokyo student who hikes through the Izu Peninsula and meets a girl who brings back his spark for life and adventure. One of the main attractions for traveling in the Izu Peninsula is taking in the beautiful nature that offers an escape from life in the city. No wonder it’s become the go to vacation spot for Tokyo residents! For the Saphir Odoriko, or more accurately the French pronunciation Saphir, symbolizes the deep blue of the ocean and sky, and the trains sophisticated design. The conductor let guests take pictures of the cab! If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you can come to Shimoda for a summer beach adventure. Or see the beautiful flower festivals. Or to surf at any time of the year. I hope you enjoyed this video and get to visit soon! Please share, like and subscribe as it’ll help the channel grow. And feel free to ask any questions below. If you want to support us further, check out our Patreon. Our next video will be a 50 mile bike ride through 6 beautiful islands known as the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Route. It’s my favorite experience in Japan and I can’t wait to share it with you guys! Till next time!

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Welcome to summer in Japan! Join us as we explore white sand beaches, relaxing onsen and eat delicious foods along the coast. Only 2.5 hours from Tokyo!

Shirahama Beach in Shimoda is one of the top beaches in Japan, and we stayed only a five minute walk away!

We take the Saphir Odoriko luxury train to the Izu Peninsula from Tokyo for a summer of adventure.

Shimoda is a town known for hot springs and onsen, Japan history and delicious sea food.

About Solo Travel POV:
Discover Japan, one adventure at a time. Fresh, high-quality travel content released every week!

Tokyo Hotels

Sunrise Express

Kinosaki Onsen

Shirakawago Traditional Village

WHERE WE STAYED
🐚Hotel Sea Shell
https://www.sea-shell.jp/

Mediterranean themed rooms with in-suite onsen and relaxing reservable onsen on premises. Breakfast options available. Hotel Sea Shell is a three minute walk to the beach!

HOW WE GOT THERE

Saphir Odoriko
https://www.jreast.co.jp/saphir/en/

Izu Peninsula – Odoriko Train

Total Cost: 12,260 YEN or $85
4,000 YEN or $27 Base Fare
2,160 YEN or $13 Limited Express Surcharge
6,100 YEN $40 Seat Price

Saphir Odoriko is a wonderful luxury train experience and offers upgraded seats, large viewing windows, dining service and snack trolley services.

EXPLORE SHIMODA / IZU PENINSULA
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/2036/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6300.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimoda,_Shizuoka
https://www.explore-izu.com/destinations/shimoda/
https://b-izu.com/en/area/shimoda/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CZu9u6i2ggyTVXkS9

Lolo Kurofune (Traditional Wagashi Shop): Try the Kaikoku Caramel, it’s a crisp wafer with walnut caramel filling.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/agDpLZbCZBARmjb78

HIRAI SEIKA (Bakery) (1948): Sells these uniquely shaped red bean buns, the milk flavor is a best seller!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Xj3HBVFuUxtjUTN9

NISSHINDO (Retro Bakery) (1922): Fans of the author Yukio Mishima come here to taste his favorite madeline cakes!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FKg9KTm6PiJgpX5z9

Kineido (Mom & Pop shop) (1918): Home of the salted-butter dorayaki, dubbed the best dorayaki by visitors.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rh49zcitvgZg5N2E6

Yamada Katsuobushiten: For a unique souvenir, you can try the freshly shaved bonito flakes here.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/grNAUCeo7L9gWq4k7

Ogisoshoten Honten (Dried Fish (Himono) Shop) (est. 1900): If you have a BBQ grill at your hotel, get some fish to go!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dWFs9qPuMoSwZaxp9

HELPFUL LINKS
Luggage Forwarding
https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/

American Express / All Nippon Airways (ANA)
https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/amc/amex-membership-rewards-program/
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/rewards/membership-rewards/redeem/airline-partners/airline.html?a=ana

Rakuten Cashback
https://www.rakuten.com/travel-vacations

If Not Booking Direct, Use These Websites for Booking Hotels in Japan:
https://www.rakuten.com/travel-vacations/lodging
https://www.jalan.net/
https://www.agoda.com/
https://www.booking.com/

Reddit Discussion
reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/

CHAPTERS
0:00 Japan Summer Overview
1:00 Day One – Breakfast and Beach
2:20 How to Get to Izu Japan
3:00 Beach Time
5:20 Peaceful Shrine
6:03 Hotel Room Tour
6:27 Private Onsen
7:07 Outdoor Onsen
8:04 Day Two – Beach Sunrise
11:00 Coastal Bus Ride
11:25 Town History
12:53 Delicious Sushi Lunch
13:50 Exploring Local Shops and Delicacies
16:40 Onsen With Beautiful Views
17:00 More Outdoor Onsen
18:06 Roadside Station and Delicious Burger
19:24 Ropeway and Hike
21:06 Coin Locker
21:16 Eki Stamps
21:52 Saphir Odoriko Boarding – Luxury Train to Tokyo
22:44 Saphir Odoriko Service Outline
23:10 Special Saphir Odoriko Chime – La Mer Blue”
23:51 Reserved Dining Car Lunch with Summer Views
24:50 Other Rooms Offered on Saphir Odoriko
25:48 Summer Attractions in Japan
26:09 Beautiful Train Observation Car
26:26 Summer Adventures
27:00 Coming Next – See You Soon

GEAR
📷 iPhone 15 Pro, Premiere Pro

#japantravel #travelgoals

TAGS
Japan beaches, Japanese onsen, onsen resorts, private onsen, beach and onsen, resort hotel Shimoda, Saphir Odoriko, Odoriko train, scenic train ride, Tokyo to Shimoda, Japan day trips, summer travel Japan, beach town Japan, onsen culture, hot springs Japan, Solo Travel POV, travel Japan vlog, Japan travel tips, coastal Japan, seaside travel, surf and soak, Izu onsen, onsen ryokan, beach resort Japan, Japan hidden gems, Tokyo day trip, Shimoda, Shimoda travel, Shirahama Beach, Izu Peninsula