A slightly late summer vacation took us to Izu.
The goal was "Swim with Dolphins." We visited "Dolphin Fantasy" on the Izu coast in Ito City = photo upper left. Right beside the pier is a pen about 20–30 meters square = photos lower left and lower right, where you can swim with several bottlenose dolphins in the "Swim Course." Wet suits and snorkeling gear are lent, and an instructor guides you, so children from age 4 can join (under 5 with a parent). Swim time is about 20 minutes.
Our partners this time were Rio (I think) and one other. Rio seems quite mischievous and is covered in bumps from bumping around — thick skin, so it does not hurt much. Rio came close and gentle touch and petting were OK. Rio seemed to invite us to swim together, and as we got used to it we could swim side by side. The child's impressions: "Up close the eyes are so cute~" "The body is pretty firm, but also smooth" — and "It feels so gooood!!"
The "dream time" passed in a flash. I cannot forget the satisfied yet wistful look on the child's face.
There is also a "Touch Course" (about 20 minutes sitting on the pen edge to touch, feed, and mimic jumps with the instructor) = two photos at bottom =. The Swim Course is bundled with Touch and a fishing-boat cruise of nearby waters (about 20 minutes), about two hours including prep and waiting. There is also an observation course for parents watching children swim, and a Healing Course for people with disabilities (see the website http://www.dolphin-fantasy.com/index.html).
At Shimoda Aquarium at the tip of the Izu Peninsula, programs let you play and swim with dolphins in a natural cove — something to try if we get the chance.
Izu has many leisure spots and museums for children and adults, and hot springs everywhere — worth the trip on that alone. On the way back we stopped at the MOA Museum in Atami — a fully satisfying journey.
It may be late to say so, but Izu is close from central Tokyo. Shinkansen Tokyo–Atami is about an hour; Ito from Atami is about 25 minutes on a local line. Shimoda is only about 1.5 hours from Atami. Palaceside Building B1 Mainichi Shimbun Travel offers various Izu tours including day trips. Having a fine resort so near is a blessing.