Shuzenji Onsen

Shuzenji Onsen is the oldest hot spring resort on the Izu Peninsula, located along a valley, and has been loved by many people since ancient times. It has been selected as one of the 100 best hot springs in Japan.

Surrounded by mountains, this scenic area is lined with hot spring hotels and restaurants along the Shuzenji River (commonly known as Katsura River), which flows through the center of the hot spring resort.

The Shuzenji River is home to Tokko-no-yu, an outside hot spring built into the river that is a symbol of Shuzenji Onsen.

Shuzenji Temple, from which Shuzenji takes its name, stands nearby.

Visitors can stroll through the well-maintained bamboo grove on the Bamboo Grove Lane, which has a tasteful atmosphere.

The beautiful scenery of nature in each of the four seasons continues to attract visitors.

Around the hot spring resort area, there are many historical sites related to the Genji clan. They include the tomb of Minamoto no Yorie, the second shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, and Satsugetsu-den, which was built by Hojo Masako, Yorie’s mother.

In the world of literature, Shuzenji Onsen has been loved by many writers, including Soseki Natsume, Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Momiji Ozaki, Kyoka Izumi, Kido Okamoto, Toson Shimazaki, and Yasunari Kawabata, who all left their mark on the area.

The history of Shuzenji Onsen is said to have begun with Shuzenji Temple, which was founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi) in 807 during the Heian period (794-1185).

A boy was washing his sick father’s body on the riverbank. Kukai saw him and was impressed by his passion.

Impressed by his filial devotion, Kukai thought that the river water must have been too cold, so he broke a rock in the river with a Buddhist implement called a tokko in his hand, and hot spring water gushed out from the rock.

Kukai convinced the father and son that the hot spring water was effective against illnesses, and they were able to completely cure their illnesses.

This is believed to be the origin of Shuzenji Onsen, which is said to have spread through the use of hot spring cures.

The “Tokko-no-yu” hot spring, which springs from the bottom of the Katsura River, was once open to the public as an outside hot spring, but is now closed to visitors.

Visitors can also casually soak in Shuzenji Onsen at the public bathhouse “Hakoyu” and the free footbath “Kawarayu”. The spring water is alkaline simple spring water.

Shuzenji is a hot spring resort with beautiful natural colors and historical atmosphere. Why not heal your mind and body while experiencing the history and culture?