Mt. Omuro — Attraction in Ito

Mt. Omuro (大室山) is a spectacular, extinct volcano in Shizuoka with panoramic views, a crater you can walk around, and fun attractions like archery, gift shops, and tasty snacks. Chairlifts provide access to the summit—just check wind conditions before visiting! At only ¥1000 for the ride, this is one of the best-value scenic spots in Japan. (5/5)

Full Review Mt. Omuro: A Volcanic Gem with Views, Value, and a Bit of Wildlife Drama Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Few attractions strike the perfect balance between value, beauty, and unique experience quite like Mt. Omuro (大室山) in the Izu Peninsula. This extinct volcano, with its near-perfect symmetry and grass-covered slopes, isn’t just a geological wonder—it's a fully packaged experience, offering unbeatable vistas, delightful snacks, and a slice of adventure with just the right dash of whimsy.

Let’s start with a practical note: weather matters. We had to visit twice—on our first attempt, strong winds meant the scenic chairlifts (gondola-style lifts) were grounded. Disappointing, sure, but entirely understandable given the exposed nature of the summit. So here’s my advice: check the wind forecast, and shoot for a clear-skied day to boost your chances of spotting the elusive Mount Fuji on the horizon.

When we finally made it up on day two, the experience was well worth the wait. For only ¥1000 per person, the chairlift glides you gently to the top, revealing sweeping views of Ito City, the Pacific Ocean, and rolling hills in every direction. The crater itself is walkable—a 360-degree rim trail that's flat, easy, and endlessly photogenic. And inside the bowl-like crater? A surprising twist: an archery range. Yes, you can channel your inner samurai while literally standing in a volcano.

At the base of Mt. Omuro, there’s even a zoo (Izu Shaboten Zoo) and additional attractions to round out your day trip. But the summit is where the real magic happens.

I was pleasantly surprised by the gift shops and cafes, which didn’t fall into the usual overpriced tourist trap formula. In fact, Mt. Omuro was running a Yuru Camp collaboration while we were there—a brilliant marketing crossover that gets bonus points in my book.

As for the food, it was shockingly good for a mountaintop rest stop. Highlights included:

Hokkaido milk ice cream: ultra-creamy, with a beautifully crisp cone.

Miso-dipped mochi dango: savory, warm, and satisfyingly chewy.

Fluffy meat bun: solid comfort food.

Yakisoba: a classic Japanese staple, well-executed.

Churrito (mini churro): sweet, crunchy, and worth every yen—until a hawk tried to steal it.

Yes, you read that right. A hawk or falcon, clearly a local of the area, launched a bold attempt to snatch my snack. I managed to defend my churrito (barely), but another guest nearby wasn’t as lucky. While the bird doesn’t seem to pose any direct threat to people, it’s laser-focused on open food. It's a minor inconvenience that honestly added a bit of National Geographic excitement to the day. Nature finds a way… to swipe your sweets.

In conclusion, Mt. Omuro is a hidden treasure—a destination that blends nature, culture, and lighthearted fun into an affordable, worthwhile visit. Between the panoramic views, quirky attractions, and delicious eats, this is an experience I would happily recommend to tourists and locals alike. Just watch...

We watched a vlog of someone visiting Mt.Omuro before visiting and it seemed ok, but nothing too exciting. Let me just say the vlog did the real thing no justice at all. And to be fair, I don't think a video or pics could do justice to this place really.

It's sort of hard to explain why an old cinder cone which isn't particularly tall should be so fascinating, but it is! Something just feels good and calming on Mt.Omuro!

It's a gently sloped cinder cone that clearly stands out on the horizon which is in itself very pleasing to look at. From up close, it was covered in a gently rustling grass that was pleasure to look at and listen to (gentle ASMR!) as we took the ski lift to the top.

The view is incredible from the 1km trail up top, with sweeping vistas of the sea, the Izu islands and Mt.Fuji (on a good day). I also liked seeing the local carved stone deities on top the mountain that helped created the Jogasaki coast.

Highly recommend if you're...

Very nice place but due to GW line is always long however there are some nice snacks point you can try while waiting in line. I tried WASABI ICE CREAM - oh god that was something.. if you are there just try that. They also have other flavors like aloe Vera and stuff. Now good stuff --

1- there are three car parking and one bus parking. Just park it in the first one I saw people rushing for the other two parking which is in front of the Gate. So this can save some time.

2- this place is wheelchair accessible.

3- toilet on the side of Mt Omuro, is again too busy better to use toilet across the road.

4- near buy places are also cool 19 min. Drive to NEW YORK LAMP MUSEUM which is awesome see my review for that.. And soba shop is also near by 13 min drive. And yes amusement park is also close by so full day trip for that area will do.

And most importantly-

enjoy your self and your vacation,...