Shuzenji Onsen, Traditional hot spring resort in Izu, Japan.
Shuzenji Onsen is a thermal bath resort in the center of the Izu Peninsula, where multiple hot springs flow along the banks of Katsuragawa River beneath bamboo groves. The area extends along the waterway with traditional inns and bathhouses nestled into the natural landscape.
The Buddhist monk Kukai founded Shuzenji Temple in 807 and created the first thermal spring called Tokko-no-yu in the riverbed. This establishment transformed the location into a spiritual and wellness destination that drew visitors for centuries.
The town centers around traditional ryokan inns where guests experience Japanese hospitality through communal bathing and seasonal meals. These family-run establishments shape daily life, with visitors moving between steaming pools and tatami-mat rooms following local bathing customs.
The area is accessible by Izuhakone Railway from Mishima Station, followed by a short bus ride to reach the thermal district. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for the sloped pathways between inns and allow time for multiple bathing experiences at different locations.
The area is known for cultivating premium wasabi in natural water beds, a pungent seasoning essential to Japanese cuisine. This local specialty has led to unexpected products found nowhere else that visitors can sample.
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