Shuzenji Onsen is a hotspring town within the Izu peninsula, Shizuoka prefecture – a 2.5 hours drive from Tokyo, or 1.5 hours by train.
The town is scenic, with traditional wooden buildings, and a precious river crossed at several points by red bridges. Within this setting, Asaba Ryokan sits with its front to the quiet pedestrian street of the town, and it’s back to a fairytale pond, seemingly untouched and perfect. The opposite side of the pond is the Noh stage, where for 40 years cultural events have been held, with performances of traditional theatre and music.
When we visited this winter, a black crane like bird graced the waters, unfortunately by the time the camera was properly placed we could capture only a glimpse of it.
Asaba and Shuzenji are a place to relax, unwind in hot springs (private ones in the rooms, and a larger public outdoor Ofuro bath), enjoy exquisite food and Japanese sweets, experience pottery classes, hike in the mountains of Izu with glimpses of mount Fuji looming large in the distance, and explore the mysterious coast lines and fishing towns of the Izu peninsula, where you will find the Izu gold mines which once helped build and topple Shogunates.
