Wabi Sabi

Top choice in Izu Peninsula

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An idyllic retreat enveloped by greenery but only five minutes' walk from Ōhama beach. The old Japanese house here perfectly embodies the wabi-sabi (beauty in imperfection) aesthetic and is expertly managed by Angela and Yasu, who also run nearby Tabi Tabi. Wabi Sabi has a large shared kitchen, a vegetarian cafe, tatami rooms and shared bathrooms in a peaceful setting.

Families and groups of four to five can also choose from two beautifully renovated rental cottages (from ¥25,000). Note that Wabi Sabi closes between October and April.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • SHIMODA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 14: Trainee geisha women, known as 'maiko', walk beside a canal on Perry Road, on December 14, 2011 in Shimoda, Japan. Shimoda, a Japanese fishing town, advertised for three women to train as geisha after their numbers fell dramatically. Once qualified in March 2012, they will work in an initiative to revive the geisha culture and rejuvenate the local tourism industry. (Photo by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Getty Images)

    Perry Road

    2.07 MILES

    It takes less than 10 minutes to walk end-to-end of this quaint cobbled street shadowing a narrow stream leading to Ryōsen-ji temple. However, the…

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    Jōgasaki-kaigan

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    Mihara-san

    27.27 MILES

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  • Shuzen-ji

    Shuzen-ji

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  • Ryōsen-ji & Chōraku-ji

    Ryōsen-ji & Chōraku-ji

    2.02 MILES

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  • Tōkaikan

    Tōkaikan

    24.29 MILES

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    Mt Ōmuro

    20.39 MILES

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  • Jōren-no-taki

    Jōren-no-taki

    15.09 MILES

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Nearby Izu Peninsula attractions

1. Ryōsen-ji & Chōraku-ji

2.02 MILES

A 15-minute walk south of Shimoda Station is Ryōsen-ji, site of the treaty that opened Shimoda, signed by Commodore Perry and representatives of the…

2. Museum of the Black Ship

2.03 MILES

This small museum displays artefacts and artwork relating to the reception of Commodore Matthew Perry and his gunboats, dubbed 'Black Ships' by locals…

3. Perry Road

2.07 MILES

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk end-to-end of this quaint cobbled street shadowing a narrow stream leading to Ryōsen-ji temple. However, the…

4. Shimoda Kōen

2.11 MILES

If you keep walking east from Perry Rd, you can climb the steps into the hillside park of Shimoda Kōen, which overlooks the bay. It's loveliest in June,…

5. Perry Monument

2.18 MILES

The plinth-mounted bust of Matthew C Perry commemorates the landing of the US commodore and his men at this spot in 1854, a short hop from Perry Road.

6. Gyokusen-ji

3.14 MILES

Founded in 1590, this Zen temple is most famous as the first Western consulate in Japan, established in 1856. A small museum has artefacts of the life of…

7. Izu Chōhachi Art Museum

10.28 MILES

This museum showcases the unusual plaster art 'paintings' of native son Chōhachi Irie (1815–99) including one of his masterpieces, Shungyo-no-zu (Dawn in…

8. Nakaze-tei

10.35 MILES

Explore the rooms and antique tools and curios in this old kimono shop and residence girdled in walls of namako-kabe (a lattice-like plaster pattern so…