Izura Onsen (五浦温泉)

Introduction: The Cliffs of Modern Art and the Magical Lights of teamLab

Nestled along the jagged emerald cliffs of the Kitaibaraki coastline, often called the “Dover of the Far East,” lies Izura Onsen (五浦温泉). This destination is an intellectual sanctuary where the power of the Pacific Ocean meets the heritage of modern Japanese art. Izura is defined by the legacy of Okakura Tenshin, the author of The Book of Tea, who chose this secluded reef as his final retreat to contemplate the unity of Asian culture. Today, Izura has been reborn as a “Night Forest Museum” through a major permanent collaboration with teamLab. For the international traveler, Izura offers a profound encounter with “Digital Nature.” It is a place to soak in high-temperature chloride waters while watching the teamLab light art flicker through the ancient pines, explore the historic Rokkakudo pavilion, and experience the elite 4-star hospitality of the Izura Kanko heights.

Key Information Table

The Healing Waters: The “Antioxidant” Salt of the Cape

The water at Izura Onsen is geologically prized for its freshness and high thermal stability. Unlike coastal springs that rely on seawater filtration, Izura gushes at 60.9°C from deep volcanic layers.
The Barrier Function: The high chloride content forms a natural mineral film on your skin, locking in moisture and stimulating blood flow to the body’s extremities—a vital “Heart Bath” sensation for recovery from physical stress.
The Visual Therapy: The flagship Izura Kanko Hotel features the “Taikannoyu” bath, a gender-segregated open-air tub perched on a sheer cliff. To soak here as the sun rises over the “Five Inlets” ($Izura$) is a chromatic and thermal immersion that defines the aesthetic of Japanese wellness.

Top 5 Recommended Stays

• Izura Kanko Hotel (五浦観光ホテル本館／別館大観荘): Address: 722 Otsu-machi. The premier choice for history and luxury. Named after the painter Yokoyama Taikan, it offers grand architecture and source-fed cliffside baths.
• teamLab 幽谷隠田跡温泉 & Glamping: Address: 2132 Otsu-machi. Opened in late 2024, this hyper-exclusive glamping site is built directly into the teamLab forest exhibition. Guests enjoy 24-hour access to mineral baths integrated with digital light art. This is the top choice for Gen-Z and design-focused travelers.
• Ryokan Kankai-tei: A historic, wooden inn that maintains its “Toji” (Healing) roots. It is perfect for travelers who appreciate the “Wabi-Sabi” aesthetic and quiet, private seafood dining.
• Onsen Minshuku Kanekyu: A high-value guest house popular with domestic photographers and hikers, known for its extreme “Joban-mono” fish portions and local sake selection.
• Sea Birds Cafe (Nearby Hub): While not an inn, this “glass cafe” over the Hitachi station is the perfect design anchor for travelers transiting to Izura.[8]

Must-Visit Neighborhood Spots: Digital Forests and Red Pavilions

Rokkakudo (Six-angled Pavilion): A National Tangible Cultural Property. Built by Okakura Tenshin on the very edge of the reef, it represents the fusion of Zen, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophy.
teamLab: Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces: A permanent outdoor exhibition that transforms the forest and abandoned rice paddies into a pulsating world of light and sound after sunset.
Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art: Discover the origins of modern Japanese painting and the life of the 4 masters (Tenshin, Taikan, Shunso, Buzan) who worked here.
Shiodoriki Beach: A scenic coastline known for its unique rock formations and its mention in ancient waka poetry.

Local Gastronomy: Sea Urchin and Macrobiotic Plates

Food in Izura is defined by its artistic heritage and the Pacific currents.
Sea Urchin Shell-Steaming: A local delicacy where fresh urchin is steamed inside its shell to concentrate the ocean umami.
Hitachi Beef: Elite Ibaraki Wagyu, often served at Izura Kanko Hotel.
Vegetarian/Vegan Survival:
Natural Food Restaurant Pumpkin (パンプキン): Located in nearby Isohara (5-min drive), this restaurant specializes in organic home cooking. Their “Genmai (Brown Rice) Lunch Plate” is a rare and vital resource for vegan travelers.
Vegan Cafe terra (Mito Transit): If arriving via Mito Station, we recommend stopping at Vegan Cafe terra for their “Neo-Vegetarian” mains before continuing to the coast.[9, 10, 11]

Cultural & Historical Context: “Asia is One”

The spirit of Izura is anchored in the early 20th century. Okakura Tenshin founded the **Japan Art Institute (Nihon Bijutsuin)** here in 1906, declaring that “Asia is One.” This region became the “Silicon Valley” of modern Japanese art. Historically, the area was also a transition point for whaling and coal industries. Today, the integration of teamLab art with these historic cliffs represents the town’s philosophy of “Tradition through Innovation.”

Practical Travel Tips for International Visitors

• Tattoo Policy: Izura Kanko Hotel and the teamLab Glamping site are Highly Tattoo-Friendly. Private baths and glamping units with in-room springs are 100% safe. Small tattoos are permitted in communal areas if covered by a patch.
• teamLab Booking: Entry to the “Hidden Traces” exhibition is Date-Specific and requires advance reservation. Tickets can be purchased online (2,200 JPY).
• Connectivity: Mobile signal is excellent due to the high-elevation hotels. Wi-Fi is standard in guest rooms.
• Cash & Payments: Most major facilities in Izura accept credit cards and PayPay. However, the local bus and small souvenir stalls are Strictly Cash-Only (JPY).

2025-2026 Latest Updates

In 2025, Izura launched the “Art & Mineral Moonwalk,” a guided night tour connecting Rokkakudo to the teamLab forest during the full moon periods. For the 2026 spring season, the Tenshin Museum will host a special “Modernism & Digitality” exhibition exploring the link between 20th-century painting and modern code art.

Safety & Manners

When entering the cliffside baths, **move slowly** as the salt-rich water can make the stone surfaces very slippery. Because the teamLab area is a protected ecosystem, **do not touch the light sculptures** or disturb the vegetation. If walking the coastal trails at dusk, **carry a small light** for visibility on the uneven steps. Finally, respect the silence of the art district; Izura is a place for deep reflection and “The Spirit of Tea.”[12]