Tokkonoyu

Tokko-no-yu is a symbol of Shuzenji Onsen and is located on the bank of Katsuragawa River in the center of the historic hot spring resort area. The bathtubs are made of natural stone and are full of charm.

The history of Shuzenji Onsen and Tokko-no-yu 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.

This “Tokko-no-yu,” or hot water springing from the bottom of the Katsura River, has retained its symbolic appearance.

It is said that hot spring water used to gush out naturally from the crevices of the rocks, but nowadays hot water is drawn in through hot-water pipes.

It is also open to visitors, but bathing is not allowed.

Until around 2000, it was an open, mixed-sex bathhouse with no changing rooms and open to everyone free of charge, and was loved and crowded as a local bathhouse for daily life.

Currently, tourists can also casually soak in Shuzenji Onsen at the public bathhouse “Hakoyu” and the free footbath “Kawarayu”.

Shuzenji Onsen is known as the oldest hot spring in Izu and has been loved by writers since ancient times, and has been selected as one of the “100 Best Hot Springs in Japan. The spring water is alkaline simple spring water.

Tokko-no-yu is the source of the miracle of Shuzenji Onsen. Please visit and feel its special presence.