Izu
Izu Family Hotels: Animal Encounters in Izu Kogen & Shimoda
Family-friendly stays across the Izu Peninsula, packed with animal encounters, beaches, and nature experiences
Choosing where to stay with a young child comes with a stack of worries: What do we do all day if the weather turns bad? I'd love to soak in an onsen, but I'm self-conscious bathing around strangers. Will there be anywhere for my child to stay entertained? Many families start fretting before they even leave home, worried that a trip meant to be special will end up being all travel time and boredom.
The Izu Peninsula is an area full of reassuring options for exactly these families. Unlike neighboring Atami, Izu Kogen and East Izu build their appeal around nature, animals, and hands-on experiences, with animal-encounter facilities and experience-based spots scattered across the peninsula. Just as important for families with young children: many hotels here have indoor play areas, so a rainy day doesn't have to ruin the trip.
This page rounds up 27 hotels across the Izu Peninsula, not counting Atami. Eight have indoor play areas, five offer crib rental, and five have baby-food menus or can prepare dishes cut down for toddlers — plenty of options that cater to families with young children in both facilities and service. Three hotels have private-hire baths where you can enjoy family bath time undisturbed, two of them free of charge. For families with several children or multi-generational trips, three hotels also offer cottages or whole-building rentals, which is reassuring to have on hand.
Each part of the Izu Peninsula has its own character. Izu Kogen and Ito are a lively area packed with animal encounters and hands-on experience facilities; East Izu and Atagawa are known for their onsen and tropical botanical and animal gardens; and Shimoda offers beautiful beaches and history walks from the late Edo period. Shuzenji, in central Izu, is a quieter hot-spring town where you can take things slow even with a young child in tow. Many families find that choosing an area to match their child's age and interests makes an Izu trip much easier to enjoy. Compare each hotel's facilities and reviews to find the one that's the best fit for yours.
Highlights
- checkIzu Kogen and East Izu are known for their wealth of animal encounters and hands-on experience facilities — spots like Izu Shaboten Zoo and Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden let young children get up close with animals and plants
- checkEight hotels have indoor play areas, a real plus for family trips since it means the weather matters less. You can choose a hotel where your child can still run around and burn off energy on a rainy day
- checkThree hotels have private-hire baths, two of them free of charge. Some also offer rooms with their own open-air bath, so you can enjoy onsen time as a family without worrying about other guests
- checkFive hotels offer crib rental, four have baby-food menus, and two are certified Welcome Baby hotels, making it easier to travel light even with a very young baby
Family-friendly features in Izu
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Recommended hotels (12)
Shimoda Yamatokan
Village Izukogen
Nasubi no Hana
Inatori Ginsuiso
Izu Atagawa Onsen Hotel Katara Resort & Spa
Shimoda Kurofune Hotel
Oyado Fugetsumuben
Shimoda Onsen Hotel Izukyu
Pleasure Resort Izu Akasawa Onsen (Akasawa Onsen Hotel)
Shimoda Prince Hotel
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Nearby attractions
Travel tips
The Izu Peninsula stretches a long way north to south, so moving between areas takes time. Trying to hit Izu Kogen, East Izu, and Shimoda all in one trip can leave you exhausted from travel alone, so with a young child it's best to pick one or two base areas and take things slow around them. A car is the most convenient way to get around the peninsula, but coastal roads can get congested on weekends during peak season, so it's reassuring to build extra time into your plans. Choosing a hotel with an indoor play area as your base also gives you flexibility if the weather suddenly changes. Cribs and baby-food service are often limited in number, so it's worth confirming with the hotel when you book.
Best season
Peak season for swimming is July and August, when Shimoda's beaches, including Shirahama Ohama, get lively. The zoos and indoor play areas are enjoyable year-round, so during the hottest or coldest months it's comfortable to shift toward indoor-focused days. Spring and autumn bring mild weather, making them good times for sightseeing and walks with a young child.
Getting there
From the Tokyo area, you can reach Izu Kogen and Shimoda via the Izukyu Line or the Odoriko limited express train. For Shuzenji in central Izu, the route via Mishima and Shuzenji is convenient. A car is handy for getting around the peninsula, but roads can get crowded on weekends during peak season, so it's worth considering a mix of car and public transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hotels on the Izu Peninsula where kids can have fun even on rainy days?
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Eight hotels have indoor play areas, so your child can stay active even when the weather turns bad. The area also has plenty of indoor attractions, such as the covered exhibits at Izu Shaboten Zoo and Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden, making it easy to plan a full day even in the rain.
Are there hotels where we can stay comfortably with a baby?
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Five hotels offer crib rental, and two are certified Welcome Baby hotels. Four hotels also have baby-food menus or can prepare dishes cut down for toddlers, so it's easier to travel light even with a very young baby. Since these amenities are often limited in number, it's reassuring to confirm with the hotel when you book.
Are there hotels where we can enjoy the onsen as just our family?
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Three hotels have private-hire baths, two of them free of charge, so you can enjoy onsen time as a family without worrying about other guests — a great fit if your child isn't quite ready for the communal bath yet. Some hotels also have an open-air bath in every room, so you can take your time bathing right in your own room.
Are there hotels suited to families with several children or multi-generational trips?
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Three hotels offer cottages or whole-building rentals, giving larger families room to spread out without worrying about other guests. A whole-building rental with its own living room and kitchen means less concern if a child cries or gets noisy, so you can stay at your own, home-like pace.
How does a family trip differ between Izu Kogen and Shimoda?
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Izu Kogen and East Izu are rich in animal encounters and hands-on experience facilities, perfect for kids who love animals. Shimoda, on the other hand, offers beautiful beaches and history walks from the late Edo period, making it well suited to summer swimming and unhurried strolls through town. Choosing the area that matches your child's age and interests will make your Izu trip much more enjoyable.