Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島, Izu Hantō) is a resort area popular for its hot springs, beautiful coastlines, beaches, mild climate and scenic mountainous interior. The more developed eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula is home to cities such as Atami, Ito and Shimoda, which are popular for their beaches and hot springs. The southern and western coasts are less developed and known for their rugged coastlines, for example around Irozaki and Dogashima.
Shirahama Beach 白良浜 海水浴場: Outside Shimoda
Shuzenji Onsen: Shuzenji 修善寺 Onsen (hot spring) is known as the little Kyoto of Izu. Visitors can take a walk along Katsura River, visit the vermillion bridge and long-established ryokan. Shuzenji Onsen is the oldest onsen area on Izu Peninsula. The legend says, that Buddhist high priest Kobo-Daishi saw a boy bathing his sick father in the cold river water. When he uesd his tokko, he crushed a stone and then hot water was springing forth. On bathing in the warm water, the father was cured instantly. At the location today today you find a foot bath, named Tokko-no-yu. Read more.
Foot bath, named Tokko-no-yu
Hakoyu, the only drop-in onsen facility in Shuzenji Onsen area:
Taiko 太鼓 drum performance:
Asaba Ryokan あさば:
Yagyu-no-Sho:
Bamboo Path in Shuzenji:
Kaedebashi 楓橋:
Tofuya Resort & Spa:
Sora Togetsusou Kinryu 渡月荘金龍:
Suzenji Niji-no-Sato: Leisure Park, divided into Western and Japanese themed areas. In the Western area you discover an English Village and a Canadian Village and a Western Flower Garden, both are connected by a small steam locomotive, the Shuzenji Romney Railway. In the Japanese area you will find the Izu Village, houses lined up along a stone paved street selling local specialties. Then there is the Takumi Village where visitors experience the traditional manufacturing processes for paper making, Edo tops and Edo yuzen dyeing, embroidery, ceramics and other traditional crafts.
Read also:
Taking a Japanese Bath - what you should know
