Published date: December 29, 2024
Solo Trip: What to Do in Heda, West Izu - 3 Nights, 4 Days
Some info has been automatically translated by AI.
Experience of the stay
Last year at the end of the year, I was in East Izu, so this year I decided on a short trip to West Izu with a casual mindset.
【Accommodation Reason】I was looking for a place to stay in West Izu that seemed bookable on HafH and discovered a relatively affordable coin dormitory in a location where I wouldn’t normally go.
It looked nice (they have a sophisticated homepage), so I decided on it.
【Room】A dormitory for 4 people. It was fully booked this day.
The mattress was soft and clean. The toilet and shower were shared, but the facilities were new and user-friendly.
It’s close to the sea, so even if it’s cold, I could manage with the air conditioning.
The sound of the wind was a bit noisy, but disposable earplugs were provided in the shared space.
【Food】For dinner, I walked a bit to a local izakaya and enjoyed drinking with local people for about 3 hours.
Then, I returned to the accommodation and had a light drink at the bar on the first floor. Breakfast was 500 yen, and drinks were 400 yen. There’s a Seven-Eleven right nearby, so I think it’s good to utilize that too.
【Hot Springs】There seems to be a large public bath at a nearby roadside station, but since it was cold outside, I didn’t go there as I feared catching a chill.
【Town Exploration】First of all, it’s a quiet town. After noon, there’s not much besides convenience stores and izakayas.
I think it’s good to spend a quiet time on the first floor of the accommodation.
If you rent a bike and head to the nearby beach, there’s a great view of Mount Fuji.
I think there’s luxury in having nothing to do.
【Impression】It’s an old-fashioned small fishing village.
It’s perfect for soothing the mind, but I think if you’re on a purpose-driven journey, you might find yourself with too much time on your hands.
The accommodation was very beautiful and luxurious. Check-in at 4 PM was a bit inconvenient, though...
Experiences during the trip
I visited a local izakaya around 5 PM since they open at 4:30 PM.
Upon entering, I greeted them with "Please let me drink." The owner kindly arranged a seat at the counter.
These places usually have seats for local regulars, so I slowly enjoyed my sweet potato shochu on the rocks,
filled to the brim in a large glass. I couldn't tell the price, but it felt generous.
I ordered fried Mehakari (a type of fish), and as I was eating, a local asked me, "Why did you come to Heda?" We talked about local stories, including how there used to be 300 inns here, and also about Mount Fuji.
We discussed how deep-sea fish are in season in winter but absent in summer.
Additionally, I was advised against trying the local specialty, the Japanese spider crab, as it’s expensive and not very tasty.
The owner asked, "Would you like to eat some shellfish?" I never refuse what I'm recommended, so I said, "Yes, please." Later I found out it was called "Nagarami." It was the first time I tried it, and it was perfect as a drinking snack.
I ended up staying for 3 hours, ordering more food and drinks.
Later, I relaxed at the common space and bar on the first floor of my accommodation.
I didn't do any sightseeing and just spent my first day eating and drinking while enjoying the view of the sea.