Izu Kogen — Art Museums & Coastal Highlands

Izu Kogen (伊豆高原, 'Izu Highlands') is an elevated plateau on the eastern Izu coast, known for art museums, craft galleries, pension-style accommodations, and rugged coastline. The area developed as resort destination in the 1970s–80s when artists and craftspeople established studios in the pine forests overlooking the Pacific. Today, Izu Kogen has 40+ museums and galleries covering diverse themes: teddy bears, stained glass, miniatures, contemporary art, and natural history.

The coastal Jogasaki Kaigan (城ヶ崎海岸) features dramatic sea cliffs formed by lava flows from Mt. Omuro — columnar basalt creates geometric cliff faces rising 20–30 meters above the ocean. A seaside walking trail connects viewpoints, including the Kadowaki Suspension Bridge (門脇吊り橋, 48m span, 23m above ocean) which sways with wind and provides vertigo-inducing ocean views through the deck's gaps.