Shuzenji

Shuzenji is a charming hot spring town in the heart of the Izu Peninsula, with a history stretching back over 1,200 years to when the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi is said to have struck a rock with his staff and hot water sprang forth. The town is built along the Katsura River, with traditional ryokan inns and red-painted bridges creating a quintessentially Japanese atmosphere. The beautiful Shuzenji Niji-no-Sato bamboo grove, reminiscent of Kyoto's Arashiyama, is a peaceful walking path lined with towering bamboo. Shuzenji Temple, the town's namesake, houses important cultural artifacts and serves as its spiritual center. The town's compact size makes it ideal for a leisurely stroll, with foot baths scattered along the riverbanks. Shuzenji is particularly popular in autumn when the surrounding hills burst with fiery maple foliage.