An Evening-Blooming Flower and a Hilltop View — Discover a Special Moment at Yusuge Park in Southern Izu

A Hidden Scenic Spot Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Located in Oku-Irozaki, Minamiizu Town, Yusuge Park is a natural park set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

The park takes its name from the Yusuge (Hemerocallis citrina), a rare daylily that blooms in the evening and closes again by the following morning. Each year, from mid-July to mid-August, delicate yellow flowers appear across the grasslands, creating a beautiful seasonal landscape.

From the park’s observation area, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and on clear days, even glimpse the distant Izu Islands on the horizon. While the flowering season is especially popular, the park is considered one of Minamiizu’s finest scenic viewpoints throughout the year.

Where Flowers, Sea, and Sky Meet

If possible, plan to stay until late afternoon when visiting Yusuge Park.

The sight of evening-blooming yusuge flowers illuminated by the warm light of sunset is one of the park’s most memorable scenes. Watching the sky and sea gradually change color creates a peaceful experience that requires nothing more than simply being present.

The park is also well known among local residents as one of the best places in the area to enjoy sunsets and stargazing.

From this elevated vantage point overlooking the Pacific, visitors can watch the sun sink toward the horizon before darkness reveals a sky filled with stars. The atmosphere after sunset is completely different from the daytime scenery, offering a tranquil and unforgettable perspective on Southern Izu.

Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, Yusuge Park invites travelers to appreciate the simple pleasure of spending time within an extraordinary landscape.

A Landscape Shaped by a Volcano 400,000 Years Ago

The beauty of Yusuge Park extends beyond its scenery.

The hill on which the park stands was formed by volcanic activity associated with the Minamizaki Volcano approximately 400,000 years ago. Although the area appears today as a peaceful grass-covered plateau, it preserves part of the geological story that shaped the Izu Peninsula.

Visitors can further explore this volcanic history by taking a sightseeing boat from Irozaki Port. Viewed from the sea, the hill and surrounding coastline reveal dramatic rocky formations created by ancient lava flows and volcanic activity.

This combination of natural beauty and geological significance gives Yusuge Park a distinctive character that sets it apart from many other coastal viewpoints.

A Quiet Moment Beneath the Southern Izu Sky

Yusuge Park is not a destination filled with attractions or entertainment facilities.

Instead, it is a place to admire flowers that bloom only in the evening, gaze across the vast Pacific Ocean, and watch the changing colors of sunset and the night sky.

Those simple experiences are what make this place special.

When visiting Minamiizu, take time to stop at Yusuge Park and enjoy one of Southern Izu’s most peaceful and scenic landscapes.

Visitor Information

Name: Yusuge Park

Location: Nakagi, Minamiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Access:

• About 45 minutes by Tokai Bus from Izukyu Line’s Izukyu-Shimoda Station to “Irozaki Ocean Park,” followed by approximately 20 minutes on foot

• Bus services are limited, so checking schedules in advance is recommended

Parking: Free parking available

Best Season: Yusuge blooming season: Mid-July to Mid-August

More Information:

• https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-entry&spot=6733&cat=22919&pageno=3&type=spot

• https://izugeopark.org/geosites/yusuge-park/