Located in Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan, Izu Peninsula is a popular day trip and weekend get-away destination for Tokyoites. Here you will find about 30 hot-spring resorts set in alluring nature. It has been depicted in some outstanding novels including Konjiki-yasha (The Golden Demon) by Koyo Ozaki and Izu no Odoriko (The Izu Dancer, 1926) by Yasunari Kawabata. At the end of the Edo Peiod, Izu Peninsula played an important role, as Shimoda, situated in the southeast of the peninsula, was one of the first Japanese harbors to be opened to international trade. Also, tourists can enjoy the cuisine of Izu, especially fresh seafood.