Izu Shuzenji

♨️ Shuzenji is the most famous mountain hot spring resort in Izu, and has been mentioned in the works of many great writers. The Kano River flows slowly through the city, and there is a "Bamboo Path" with a Kyoto vibe, as well as ancient houses similar to those in Hida Takayama, and old-fashioned hot spring inns by the creek. ♨️ In the center of the river is an ancient hot spring called "Dokkoyu". Legend has it that when Kukai (Kobo Daishi) visited this place, he met a young man washing his sick father in the river. Kukai was moved by the young man's filial piety and said, "The river is so cold." He then smashed the stones in the river with his dokko cane, and a sacred hot spring gushed out. Kobo Daishi said that this hot spring had healing effects, and it cured the father's chronic illness of more than ten years. This became a famous story, and Shuzenji became a hot spring resort. Many tourist attractions have similar stories. Today, "Dokkoyu" is not legally defined as a "bathhouse", and it is not even allowed to be used as a foot bath. Shuzenji is a quiet hot spring town with a Zen temple. It is a two-star attraction in the Michelin Travel Guide, and is one of the filming locations for "The Dancing Girl of Izu" and the popular Japanese drama "We Married as a Job". If you have seen these two works, you will feel a connection to this place. There are very few tourists, and you will hardly see any Chinese tourists, mostly locals. Shuzenji ▶️ (1 min) ▶️ Hie Shrine (10 min) ▶️ Shigetsuden ▶️ (5 min, passing Katsurabashi Bridge) ▶️ Bamboo Path (1 min) ▶️ Maple Bridge (8 min, passing Takishitabashi Bridge) ▶️ Kawara Foot Bath 📍Shuzenji, founded by Kobo Daishi, has Seven Lucky Gods amulets, which are very cute and worth collecting. 📍Hie Shrine, the most famous feature is the couple of cedar trees inside. Two thousand-year-old towering trees stand beside the shrine. If you make a wish here, the tree gods will surely hear it. There are very few people here, and there is a very special handmade amulet called "Ichiganjoju". It is a handmade amulet made of local straw, and each knot is different. It is said to grant one wish. 📍Bamboo Path, this is also the place where Aragaki Yui and the male lead went on a date in "We Married as a Job". From the bamboo forest, you will see a large platform made of bamboo. It is very comfortable to lie on it and look at the sky. 📍Lovers' Bridge, which is actually five red bridges across the Katsura River. It is said that walking across them will bring good luck. ⭕️Central Izu is famous for strawberries, which are everywhere, cheap and sweet. ⭕️There is no one here after dark, and there are few places to eat. There is an izakaya open until late at night, and the food is good.