Mount Omuro, I'm here again!

A natural wonder of the Izu Peninsula 🌋 Mount Omuro hiking + cable car

A must-experience in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan! This perfectly conical mountain formed from a dormant volcano is known as the "Fuji of Izu," offering a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view ⛰️

Mount Omuro is located on the eastern side of the Izu Peninsula and shares a striking resemblance with Mount Fuji. Both are cone-shaped and look like magical hills straight out of a painting. Standing at 580 meters, Mount Omuro is made up of volcanic debris from eruptions and is a prime example of a volcanic cinder cone in Japan. The summit features a 30-meter deep crater. Viewed from above, the mountain is nearly symmetrical and perfectly conical, attracting many tourists with its beautiful shape.

📍 Address: Sakura no Sato, Futo, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture
🚌 Transportation: Take the Izukyu Line to Izu-Kogen Station, then transfer to the Tokai Bus heading to "Omuroyama" for about 15 minutes

1️⃣ First stop: Cable car ride up the mountain
🚠 Ride Japan’s only "Scoria Raft" (lava cable car)
💰 Round-trip ticket: 1000 yen
⏳ Operating hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (extended in summer)

2️⃣ Second stop: Crater trail
🌋 A 30-minute walk around the volcanic crater
📸 Best photo spot: Stunning under the midday sun!
🎫 Free admission

3️⃣ Third stop: Izu panoramic observation deck
🏞️ 360-degree unobstructed views of Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji
☕ The mountain-top teahouse’s matcha dango is super soothing

📸 Must-visit photo spots:
1. Cable car station platform (an artsy cliffside view)
2. East side of the crater trail (offers views of the entire Izu Peninsula)

🍡 Food recommendations:
・“Lava black eggs” sold at the mountain base (local specialty)
・Matcha shaved ice at the mountain-top teahouse (summer only)

⚠️ Useful tips:
・Closed in winter (December to end of February)
・Bring a jacket as it’s windy at the summit
・Visit in the morning or evening to avoid crowds
・Don’t forget to buy the limited-edition volcano-shaped wagashi as souvenirs