Highly Recommended Summer Hike Along the Izu Peninsula's Spine: The Odoriko Trail Waterfall & Valley Walk

Starting from Shuzenji and heading to Shimoda, the Odoriko Trail offers an unforgettable experience. For summer, Bunny Mom specially selected the cooler Joren Falls and Namezawa Valley route, using Tokai Bus for transfers – be sure to check their hourly schedule carefully. If traveling with luggage from Shuzenji to Kawazu/Shimoda, consider disembarking at Joren Falls or Showa no Mori Kaikan stations (larger stations with coin lockers at ¥300 per item), making luggage storage convenient for bus transfers.

At Joren Falls station stands a statue of "The Izu Dancer" beside an observation deck overlooking the incredibly blue waterfall. The accessible path features a monument thanking its benefactors. While not massive, the falls feed a stream flowing through wasabi fields (a Shizuoka specialty) – quite novel for first-time visitors. The rest stop offers unlimited wasabi-topped soft-serve ice cream – true wasabi freedom!

After timing your bus connection perfectly, Showa no Mori Kaikan station (just minutes away) provides smaller lockers. The helpful staff stored Bunny Mom's luggage in their office for ¥300 with phone contact for pickup. Following signs/Google Maps right from the station leads to breathtaking Namezawa Valley – a hidden gem where we encountered a cyclist meditating barefoot on river rocks, embodying travel's serendipitous joys.

Extending the hike 20 minutes upstream to Tarosugi cedar revealed more wasabi fields and ingenious single-rail carts for mountain harvest transport. Though the giant cedar itself was underwhelming, the journey – guessing remaining distances, pausing by streams – became the real reward. Brief signal loss occurred near the summit before returning smoothly to the station.

After collecting luggage and browsing a station grandma's shop, we took the winding ¥1,240 bus to Kawazu (50 mins) – motion-sensitive travelers should sit frontward. The route's viaduct near Kawazu Nanataki waterfalls is an engineering marvel that left Bunny Mom awestruck.

The Odoriko Trail (21km), named after Kawabata's novel "The Izu Dancer," runs from Joren Falls through old Amagi Tunnel to Kawazu Nanataki and Yuno. While hardcore hikers complete it in 7 hours, Bunny Mom recommends the hybrid approach: bus transfers between highlights like Joren Falls, Namezawa Valley, and Kawazu Nanataki – perfect for a leisurely day trip from Shuzenji to Kawazu/Shimoda.

This Izu spine journey promises different seasonal charms – we'll surely return, perhaps in spring or autumn.

Post by Sophia8 Garcia_ | Jul 1, 2025