A Day Full of Izu Sightseeing and Immersion in Hot Springs 2021/3/14【75】

Second day of the Izu trip.

Started the morning with a hot spring bath, then planned the day's activities over breakfast at the hotel buffet.

Took a train from Izu Inatori to Shimoda.

Due to inconvenient bus timings, we rented a car at Shimoda station and set out for a drive.

A 10-minute drive took us to Shirahama Shrine.

It was a serene shrine surrounded by nature, though the pollen was a bit bothersome due to the season. Walking from the shrine to the beach, we were greeted by a beautiful sea view.

At Shirahama Beach, tourists were taking photos with a torii gate built on the rocky shore.

For lunch, we headed back towards Shimoda station and went to a roadside station. We dined at "Ra-maru", where we enjoyed their signature Shimoda Burger.

The burger had a patty made from fried snapper fillet, coated with a sweet sauce. It was quite filling. The second-floor terrace, with its calm Shimoda views, offered a pleasant ambiance.

After lunch, we drove west from Shimoda station to Ryugu Cave.

After parking the car by the sea and paying a 500 yen fee to the caretaker, we reached the tourist spot within a 5-minute walk. The cave, with its open skylight, was small but mystical.

When viewed from above, the cave resembled a heart shape.

After touring, we drove a short distance to a café called "Sunnyside".

We relaxed by the seaside café with coffee and galette. Afterward, we took a stroll along the nearby beach, where many surfers were seen.

After returning the car at Shimoda station, we took a train back to Izu Inatori.

Upon arriving at the inn, we soaked in the hot spring and contemplated dinner options. The inn's bar, which served welcome drinks, offered a view of the sea right in front.

Having eaten a lot since morning, we opted for a light meal at "Soba Restaurant Kouya" and enjoyed their soba noodles.

After dinner, we returned to the inn, took our third hot spring bath of the day, and went to bed.