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.

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.

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).

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

The economy of the city of Izu is centered on tourism (primarily hot spring resorts), farming/forestry and commercial fishing.