[Shizuoka/Izu] “Izutabi PickUp! Report” ~Shuzenji Rental Kimono/Yukata Edition~

"Izutabi PickUp!" is a website where you can purchase experiences and special products from Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

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In "Izutabi PickUp! Report", we will visit the places listed in "Izutabi PickUp!" and record what we felt and experienced.

• Table of Contents
• Kimono that creates the scenery of Shuzenji Onsen
• Feel the hot springs in the space of Shuzenji Temple
• Symbolic bridge and sweets shop
• Spend the best time with that person in front of the temple
• Go to the bamboo grove path that has two stars in the Michelin Guide.
• Pop-pon, jingling rhythmic time

Kimono that creates the scenery of Shuzenji Onsen

Shuzenji Onsen

City Navi Yururi

Hot spring resorts are mysterious things, and the atmosphere of the town tells you, ``Oh, this is a hot spring resort.'' Shuzenji Onsen is exactly such a place. There is a store called ``Machi Navi Yururi'' located in a place where you can feel the beginning of this journey.If you enter this store, you will start your journey as the main character in creating the scenery of Shuzenji Onsen. Yes, this is the Shuzenji Onsen closet where you can put on your yukata and kimono.

Morrow couple living in Izu

It would be no exaggeration to say that Mr. and Mrs. Morrow, who live in Izu, are on a date today. My husband is French, so we didn't wear Japanese clothes for the wedding. So today is the first time we both wear kimono together. No, it's not just my first time wearing a kimono. Today is my first date at Shuzenji.

I realized that choosing a kimono is a matter of the person themselves. Color and pattern are the first things that catch the eye. Some are distinctive, while others are quiet. ``That person'' appears in the standards of comparison and the way they consult with each other. Next to the kimono is the obi, and then the color of the half collar of the jacket. You go through the fun of choosing from many different patterns before you finally feel like you're wearing a kimono. It's like creating a piece of art by making a kimono together, exchanging words such as ``It suits you'' and ``Which one would you like?''

After the wife, it's the husband's turn. Is it a kimono that will make your wife stand up? Or will both be flashy? There, too, the relationship between the two will emerge. Mr. Morrow, of course, carefully selected his favorite colors to complement the look.

Once the kimono is finished, the men grab a purse and the women grab a basket of accessories and head out to the town of Shuzenji to decorate the kimono. Let's go to the hot spring town!

Feel the hot springs in the space of Shuzenji Temple

Shuzenji Temple was built in 807. Can you imagine? There was already a temple in the same place over 1200 years ago. Shuzenji Temple has a compact impression. It's a relaxing place where you can experience the feeling of being surrounded by the Chozuya, the bell, and the main hall. Many people may be surprised, but there is a hot spring in the Chozuya, and drinking water is OK. Now, after you cleanse your hands, visit the shrine and go to the store of your choice.

Symbolic bridge and sweets shop

The symbolic "Togetsukyo Bridge" is located in front of the gate of Shuzenji Temple and in the center of Shuzenji Onsen. If you cross here, you will find the cute sweets shop ``Issekian''. Welcomed by a cheerful couple from Isseki-an, they sit next to each other and enjoy the colorful sweets while looking out at Shuzenji Temple. Although they weren't sure which one to choose, they chose matcha, which comes with cream anmitsu and seasonal sweets.

We looked at Shuzenji through the glass and occasionally exchanged cream anmitsu and sweets with each other. It's so wonderful that it makes you think, ``Dating is really good, isn't it?'' Well, once you've finished eating, it's time to go to the other side of the glass.

Spend the best time with that person in front of the temple

As you cross Togetsukyo Bridge again and head towards Shuzenji Temple, you will see the coveted rickshaw that everyone wants to ride. The clerk's name is Shimakawa-san, and he is a dependable older brother who goes by "Shima-chan" around here. It's not just the scenery that leaves a mark on your trip. Conversation while traveling is a very important piece. The memories of the rickshaw trip must have been a valuable experience for both of them.

Go to the bamboo grove path that has two stars in the Michelin Guide.

After getting off the rickshaw, go to the bamboo grove path. Surrounded by bright greenery, it's a space that anyone would want to stay in for a long time. The bench, which looks perfectly round when viewed from above, was made by cutting out bamboo from the path of this bamboo grove. I hope you will lie down here and enjoy the collaboration between bamboo and the blue sky. Needless to say, the pleasant visibility and the way your body stretches will make you not want to get up.

Pop-pon, jingling rhythmic time

As soon as you exit the bamboo forest path, a shop with a wall of glass will appear. I can't help but look inside this store. It's a smart ball and target shooting shop called ``Yanagawa''. I think it's one of those stores that when you pass by, you always want to ask someone, "What are you going to do?" The answer to that is, "Okay, let's give it a try."

When you enter, you will be guided to your seat. The white smart ball is said to be a valuable item that is no longer manufactured, so please come and enjoy the retro feel of everything from sounds to objects to space.

Apparently, the trick to this game is to ``just hit the ball rhythmically and steadily,'' and the slower you aim, the harder it is to hit the hole.

When they tried it out, it certainly seemed like that, and the Morrows continued to beat rhythmically as per the teachings. Occasionally, he would go into the hole and the ball would come out with a ``jarah'' sound, but he continued to smile intermittently at this joy. If you're done playing with the smart ball, it's about time. If you are staying from today, you may want to check in early here.

The two's lonely date will continue even after this. This is the Morrow couple's first date at Shuzenji, so please use this as a reference for your trip.

📷Photo taken on November 15, 2023

*Chrysanthemum decorations are usually installed from early October to mid-November.

Reserve your kimono/yukata rental now at “Izutabi PickUp!”

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Author of this article

📝: Aya Sato | Tsukuru Satoyama

📷： Yohei Saito│Tourism photographer

Spots visited this time

Machi Navi Yururi

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Fukuchizan Shuzenji Temple

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[Shizuoka/Izu] Bamboo grove path

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The bamboo grove is a walking path along the Katsura River that runs through the center of the Shuzenji hot spring town. It has been mainta...