Shuzen-ji town has been a mountain spa resort since 807, when a famous Buddhist monk, Kukai, discovered a hot spring source (Tokko-no-yu) in the middle of the Izu Peninsula. The town includes two beautiful paths (one along the Katsura River, and one that passes through a bamboo grove), and five red bridges. There is also Hie Jinja Shrine, Shuzen-ji Temple, Oyukake-chigo Daishi (a Buddhist statue and water basin which has the power to heal painful body parts), and Shigetsu-den Temple (including Minamoto Yoriie's and his follower’s graves). A few nice teahouses and small craft shops also make for enjoyable browsing.
Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima
Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...
