Cape Tsumeki
Cape Tsumeki and Suzuka Port in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, are located within a 2- to 3-hour drive from Tokyo (depending on traffic) or a 2.5 hour train/bus ride if you take the bullet train from Shinagawa Station.
The cape is a picturesque location on the easternmost part of the Izu Peninsula and is a popular spot for sightseeing, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
With its beautiful blue sea, verdant greenery, flower parks, botanical greenhouse, hiking trails, geological formations, and breathtaking views, Cape Tsumeki earns high rankings among the more popular tourist destinations in Shimoda.
On this photo shoot, I focused more on the hiking trail that extends around the entire cape where I was able to enjoy stunning views from several observatory points.
The trails do not require special footgear, but proper-fitting shoes are recommended for the many stairs and some wet stretches where splashing waves can make part of the trail slightly slippery at high tide.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an adventurous outdoor activity, Cape Tsumeki has something for everyone.
References:
Travel Yahoo—Shimoda Attractions Rankings (Japanese)
Trip Advisor—Shimoda Attractions Rankings (Japanese)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/800 sec. at ƒ/18
Sunrise at Beach
Location: Cape Tsumeki, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Izu Peninsula, Japan. Photo taken on January 25, 2023)
Located about 204 km (126 mi) southwest of Tokyo, Tsumekizaki Beach is just one of several attractions in the Tsumekizaki Natural Park, Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
It is easily accessible by car with parking only costing 500 yen on weekdays. My border collie and I arrived at the parking lot at 3:00 a.m. after only a 3-hour drive. However, trying to travel here on a weekend during summer might become a 4- or 5-hour drive depending on traffic.
If traveling on a weekend and you don’t have a large dog, you can access the beach by bus from Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
Although most of Japan was facing a major cold front with strong winds and snow on January 25th, the beach was relatively warm and calm!
References:
伊豆の海水浴場＆ビーチガイド—Tsumekizaki Beach (Japanese)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/30 sec. at ƒ/11
Silhouette of Island and Crashing Waves
The view of Tsumeki Island (爪木島) off the coast of Tsumekizaki Beach makes for a nice subject with the morning sunrise creating wonderful golden light aided by low cloud cover over Sagami Bay in the far distance.
This shot is just one of the many beautiful views you can enjoy in the Tsumekizaki Natural Park located in the city boundaries of Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture.
If you are into fishing, there are several boats that you can charter to take you out to the eastern side of the island where you can go ashore and try your hand at catching medina, parrot fish, red sea bream, grunt, black snapper, etc., depending on the season.
References:
田舎暮らしブログ--fishing (Japanese)
The Izu Geo Heritage--Cape Tsumeki (Japanese)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
48 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/4.5
Coastline and Columnar Joints
This view of the western side of Cape Tsumeki reveals hexagonal, geometric patterns of columnar joints that formed when lava cooled and hardened after an ancient underwater volcanic eruption.
Among many other natural wonders, this location of columnar joints has been included in the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark.
References:
Google Maps: Tsumekizaki Columnar Joints (爪木崎俵磯)
Izu Peninsula Geopark (English)
Travel Izu Co. (English)
UNESCO (English)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
48 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/4.5
Close-up shot of the hexagonal, geometric patterns of columnar joints that formed when lava cooled and hardened after ancient underwater volcanic eruptions that occurred during the past 20 million years when this whole peninsula was still a small number of undersea volcanoes off the coast of Japan.
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0
Classic Chrome film simulation
Towering Lighthouse on Cape
The Tsumekizaki Lighthouse (爪木崎灯台) was built in 1937 and rises 17.32 m (17.32 ft) above ground level and 37.83 m (124.11 ft) above sea level.
The lighthouse is only a 10-minute walk from the Cape Tsumeki parking lot. It’s a flat approach, so even if you have mobility issues, it is still easily accessible.
On a clear day, you can see eight of the inhabited islands that are as far as 10 km (6.21 mi) offshore of the Izu Peninsula and are still accessible by ferry.
References:
The Nippon Foundation (Japanese)
Venture Republic Inc. (Japanese)
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/480 sec. at ƒ/2.5
Astia/Soft film simulation
Crashing Waves on the Cape
Cape Tsumeki offers 360 degrees of views from the end of the cape just below the lighthouse with a near 30-meter drop to the sea. Although the strong winds can be a little scary, the cape offers fantastic views of the power and force that Mother Nature can release upon the coastline of the capes that jut out into the Pacific Ocean.
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/640 sec. at ƒ/11
Tiny Island Off Coast of Cape
This view of Tsumeki Island, as seen from the bluff atop Cape Tsumeki, also shows Oshima Island in the distance, which is approximately 35 km (21.6 mi) offshore from where I took this shot.
Although the Izu Peninsula and its closest islands fall within the boundaries of Shizuoka Prefecture, Oshima Island and the seven other inhabited islands farther off the shores of Izu fall under the administration of Tokyo, which is 100 km north of the islands.
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 2500 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.8
Astia/Soft film simulation
Aloe Flowers in the Shade
Cape Tsumeki in the city of Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula is probably best known for its tall lighthouse, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the bluff, and large beds of daffodils and aloe close to the quaint sandy beach nearby.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take any photos of the daffodils on this photo shoot as most had withered either due to the cold, time of year, or the ferocious winds we have had recently. The aloe plants, however, seem much more immune to the cold and strong winds!
To be honest, I had no idea that aloe had flowers! This was a pleasant surprise! I hope to return on another photo shoot to capture better shots of this beautiful flower.
References:
Takarajimasha, Inc.—Aloe Flowers (Japanese)
Travel JP—Daffodil Festival (Japanese)
Travel JP—Daffodils and Aloe (Japanese)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/800 sec. at ƒ/7.1
Praying Mantis Sculpture
The Tsumekizaki Flower Park is a botanical garden located next to the parking lot of Cape Tsumeki. There are several wooden objects of artwork and shrubbery pruned to look like objects and animals. In addition, there are various flowering plants including buttercups, daffodils, rape blossoms, tulips, daisies, anemones, scarlet sage, and sunflowers.
References:
Shimoda City—Cape Tsumeki (Japanese)
4travel.jp-Tsumekizaki Flower Garden (Japanese)
Japan Travel And Tourism Association—Tsumekizaki Flower Garden (Japanese)
Navitime Japan—Tsumekizaki Flower Park (English)
Red Outer Space—Access Information (English)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/5.0
Botanical Garden & Greenhouse
The Tsumekizaki Flower Park includes a greenhouse where you can appreciate tropical fruits and subtropical plants such as bananas, papaya, bougainvillea, and pandanus (screw pine or screw palm).
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
31 mm ISO 250 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/11
Beach along Coastal Trail
Crossing to the other side of the Tsumekizaki Flower Park, there is a small gate hidden from view from overgrown grass and shrubbery where you can access a foot trail called the Suzaki Promenade, which that extends along the coast for about 2.7 km (1.67 mi) to the other side of the cape in the fishing village of Suzaki.
The trail starts out flat, but quickly evolves into lots of stairs going up and down along the coast and a few wood-plank bridges crossing over steep crevices.
At the beginning of the promenade is this quaint little beach in Tanoura Cove. I love the contrast of soft brownish sand and lovely greenish blue shallow waters.
References:
Shimoda City—Susaki Promenade (Japanese)
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6
Lighthouse Overlooking Rocky Coast
The Tsumekizaki Lighthouse, located at the end of Cape Tsumeki on the western coast of the Izu Peninsula offers protection to ships sailing into Tokyo Bay.
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
80 mm ISO 200 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/11
Lighthouse Overlooking Rocky Coast of Tokyo Bay
This scene of the Tsumekizaki Lighthouse caught my eye as it shows a cargo ship sailing out to sea from Tokyo Bay under the watchful eye of the lighthouse. The area around this cape is extremely dangerous as many low/flat rocks are hidden below the waterline during high tide.
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 320 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/11
Lighthouse & Crashing Waves
This scene of the Tsumekizaki Lighthouse illustrates the winds blowing from offshore and clashing with waves crashing onshore.
Great conditions for shooting seascapes since I don’t have to worry about sea spray hitting my lens and gear!
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/340 sec. at ƒ/2.2
Astia/Soft film simulation
Fishing Village
This small fishing port is home to both commercial and chartered fishing boats in a cove where the local villagers live in houses that are densely packed in steps on the slopes facing the sea.
The cove was an active port-of-call between Edo (current-day Tokyo) and western Japan during the Edo Period (1603 to 1867) when ships needed to wait for favorable winds.
The winds were incredibly strong during this photo shoot, but this quaint little cove offered protection from easterly winds allowing for calm waters despite the crashing waves just outside the cove.
References:
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/350 sec. at ƒ/2.2
Astia/Soft film simulation
Historic Port
This small fishing port has a history dating back to the Edo Period (1603 to 1867). Just outside the seawall of this fishing port are old quarry sites where blocks of stone were removed for use in building Edo Castle in 1547. Remnants of Edo Castle can still be seen today in central Tokyo at the Imperial Palace.
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm) with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 160 for 1/300 sec. at ƒ/2.2
Astia/Soft film simulation
Volcanic-Formed Island
On the opposite side of Suzaki Cove, we have a clear view of Ebisu Island. A 10-minute walk around this island offers fantastic views of the ocean, the Izu shoreline, and beautiful geological formations. Visitors can also visit a lighthouse and a small Shinto shrine located at the top of the island.
I hope to visit this island on my next photo shoot to this region.
References:
