Izu Geology

Japan’s Izu Peninsula – A Hidden Gem

If you’re looking to explore Japan and take a break from the crowds in Tokyo and Kyoto, Izu may be just the place you’re looking for. This peninsula located in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture and is packed with natural beauty, history, and culture, making it a great option for tourists seeking an off the beaten path destination.

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Visit a Japanese Village

Everything about Japanese culture can be traced back to its rural villages. Japanese language, behavior, rituals, and diet can be traced back to a small village tucked away in a remote mountain valley.

How can that be? Let’s look at one lesson from language.

One of the first words a foreigner learns when studying Japanese is “gaijin,” 外人 which means ‘outsider.’ The more polite and socially accepted version of this word is “gaikokujin,” 外国人 which means ‘person from a foreign country.’ The word “gaijin” is strongly connected to the important concepts of “uchi” 内 and “soto” 外 in Japanese.

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Izu Peninsula Geology

Izu’s geology is perhaps its most unique feature. For example, this peninsula is the only land mass in Japan that sits on the Philippine Sea Plate.

Because of its violent geological past, Izu has steep mountains that rise up from the sea. It was easier to reach Izu by boat than by land for most of its history. So much of Izu’s culture is a result of its geology.

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