# Izu, Shizuoka

Izu (伊豆市, Izu-shi) is a city located in central Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the city had an estimated population of 30,678 in 13,390 households, and a population density of 84 persons per km$^2$. The total area of the city was 363.97 square kilometres (140.53 sq mi).

## Geography

Izu is located in the north-central portion of the Izu Peninsula, and includes most of the Amagi Mountains. The region is hilly and some 80% of the city area is covered by forest. The Kano River runs through the city, which has a short coastline to the west on Suruga Bay of the Pacific Ocean. The area is part of the Izu-Tobu volcanic region, and is therefore subject to frequent earthquakes, and the city also has numerous hot springs as a result. Warmed by the Kuroshio Current, the area enjoys a warm maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

### Surrounding municipalities

* Shizuoka Prefecture
** Higashiizu
** Itō
** Izunokuni
** Kawazu
** Nishiizu
** Numazu

## Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Izu has been in decline over the past 60 years.

### Climate

The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Izu is 15.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2035 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.3 °C.

## History

During the Edo period, most of Izu Province was tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, although portions near modern Shuzenji were under the control of the Ōkubo clan of Ogino-Yamanaka Domain. During the establishment of the modern municipalities system in the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into several villages under Kimisawa District, Shizuoka Prefecture. Kimisawa District merged with Tagata District in 1896.
Shuzenji became a town in 1924, followed by Toi in 1938, Nakaizu in 1958, and Amagiyugashima in 1960. The city of Izu was established on April 1, 2004, by the merger of the towns of Shuzenji, Toi, Nakaizu and Amagiyugashima (all from Tagata District).

## Government

Izu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 16 members.

## Economy

The economy of the city of Izu is centered on tourism (primarily hot spring resorts), farming/forestry and commercial fishing. Izu is noted for its production of wasabi and shiitake. During the Edo period, the area was also known for its production of gold and other ores; however, the last commercial mining operations were closed in the 1960s.

## Education

Izu has seven public elementary schools, four public middle schools and one combined elementary/middle school operated by the city government. The city has two public high schools operated by the Shizuoka Prefectural Board of Education.

## Transportation
### Railway

* Izuhakone Railway – Sunzu Line
** Shuzenji–Makinokō

### Highway

* Izu-Jūkan Expressway
* National Route 136
* National Route 414

## Local attractions

* Jōren Falls
* Kamishiroiwa ruins, Jomon period settlement trace, National Historic Site
* Shuzenji Romney Railway
* Su-Za World Sōhonzan (主座世界総本山, Suza Sekai Sōhonzan), which is often simply known as the "Suza" (主座 / ス座). Located in Hiekawa (冷川), Izu, it is the headquarters of the Japanese new religion Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyodan (世界真光文明教団), officially known in English as the World Divine Light Organization (WDL).
* Toi gold mine

## Sister cities

* Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, since August 18, 2005
* Hope, British Columbia, Canada, since August 18, 2005
* Minamiminowa, Nagano, Japan, since February 25, 1991

## Notable people from Izu

* Yurina Hase (Yurika Ochiai) – voice actress
* Sōsuke Kaise – manga artist
* Naoko Ken – singer, actress
* Hon'inbō Shūwa – professional go player