Higashiizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Higashiizu (東伊豆町, Higashiizu-chō) is a town located in Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 June 2019, the town had an estimated population density of 160 persons per km². The total area of the town is 77.83 square km (30.05 sq mi).

Geography Sandwiched to the east and west between the Amagi Mountains and Sagami Bay on the Pacific Ocean, Higashiizu has numerous hot springs. Warmed by the warm Kuroshio Current, the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. Parts of the town are within the borders of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park,

Neighboring municipalities • Itō • Izu • Kawazu.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Higashiizu has been in slow decline over the past 40 years.

History During the Edo period, all of Izu Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, and the area now comprising Higashiizu Town consisted of 5 villages (Inatori, Naramoto, Shirata, Katase, and Ōkawa). With the establishment of the modern municipalities system in the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into two villages (Inatori and Jōtō) with Kamo District. Inatori was elevated in status of that of a town in December 1920. The town of Higashiizu was founded on May 3, 1959 through the merger of the town of Inatori with the village of Jōtō.

Economy The economy of Higashiizu is dominated by tourism centered on the hot spring resort industry, and by commercial fishing.

Education Higashiizu has three public elementary schools and two public junior high schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail • - Izu Kyūkō Line; ◦ Izu-Ōkawa - Izu-Hokkawa - Izu-Atagawa - Katase-Shirata - Izu-Inatori.

Transport: Road • National Route 135.

Local attractions • Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden • Shimokamo Tropical Botanical Gardens.