Last Updated: Nov 17, 2023

Shuzenji Onsen

One of Shizuoka’s Best Hot Spring Towns

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium

There are a lot of great hot spring towns within the vicinity of Tokyo. Both for day trips and overnight stays alike, you’ll find a wide host of options on offer nearby Japan’s capital. For those looking for something a little more quaint and mature, a more famous onsen resort like Hakone can be a little bit too lively. Luckily, Shizuoka Prefecture’s Shuzenji Onsen is just what the doctor ordered. Located on the Izu Peninsula, this hot spring can be easily reached from Tokyo and is definitely a place to consider next time you’re in Japan.

As a town, Shuzenji Onsen has a ton of history to it. The hot spring haven allegedly dates back to the 800s. According to a local legend, it was founded by the legendary monk Kukai on one of his adventures across Japan. Seeing a man bathing in a cold river, the benevolent Buddhist struck a rock with a ritualistic instrument that’s used in religious ceremonies. From the resulting hole, hot water gushed forth. In honor and in thanks of this new geothermal source that he had created, Kukai created a temple nearby and this was the start of the town of Shuzenji Onsen. Since then, the village has had an unbroken history of soothing soakers’ worries.