[Shizuoka/Izu] "Izu Tabi PickUp! Report" ~ Shuzenji Onsen Rickshaw Experience ~

"Izu Tabi PickUp!" is a website where you can purchase experiences and local specialties from Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Check out "Izu Tabi PickUp!" now

In the "Izu Tabi Pick Up! Report" we visit the places featured in "Izu Tabi Pick Up!" and write about what we feel and experience.

• Table of Contents
• The starting point for rickshaw rides in Shuzenji Onsen.
• The only rickshaw driver on the Izu Peninsula
• First time riding a rickshaw
• Happi coat
• Seeing and riding a rickshaw is an extraordinary experience!

The starting point for rickshaw rides in Shuzenji Onsen.

The author, Sato Aya (right), wearing a kimono for the first time in 20 years

The symbol of Shuzenji Onsen: Tokko no Yu

At the entrance to Shuzenji Onsen, there is a bus stop and a long-established inn called Kikuya. The road from there continues with gentle curves, and you can see several shops ahead, and your excitement will grow as you realize that you have finally reached the hot spring town. After passing Hie Shrine and passing a dried shiitake mushroom specialty store, a gift shop, and a coffee shop, the view that opens up before you is the very center of Shuzenji Onsen town.

There you will find rickshaws blending in with the red bridge, a symbol of the hot spring town, and the charming buildings.

The only rickshaw driver on the Izu Peninsula

">

Makoto Shimakawa, also known as "Shima-chan"

Shimakawa-san, affectionately known as "Shima-chan," is the only rickshaw driver on the Izu Peninsula. Shima-chan can be found on the red bridge with his partner rickshaw, and always starts from here as he speeds through Shuzenji Onsen town like the wind.

This time, I was looking forward to riding in a rickshaw driven by Shima-chan. Yes, I didn't just want to ride in a rickshaw, I wanted him to show me around.

Speaking of Shima-chan, she loves Shuzenji Onsen so much that everyone in the area knows her. She is very humble, so I'm sure she would say, "It's not like everyone knows her!" But that's also one of Shima-chan's good points, and there's no doubt why she's loved.

This time, I decided to book a luxurious 30-minute course that also included the Bamboo Forest Path, which was awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

First time riding a rickshaw

As for me, I wanted to be part of the scenery at Shuzenji Onsen, so I went to "Machi Navi Yururi" at the entrance to the hot spring resort to get dressed. I'm all set!

When I tried to get on the rickshaw, I was worried about my feet because I was not used to wearing a kimono, but I didn't have to worry because Shima-chan was there to escort me. She provided a step stool and watched over me while supporting my luggage.

">

"Yukake Chigo Daishi" Pour hot water on the monk while praying for health and wishes

Shuzenji Onsen town is a compact town that is just the right size for young people, but for older people it may feel quite far away and there are some steep slopes.

Shima-chan says that sometimes you come across the following scene at hot springs. An elderly couple says to their daughter or son, "We'll wait here, so go ahead." It's a special family trip, but you can't go around together... it's a bit sad. Of course, I understand how you feel.

That's when the rickshaw comes in handy!! The parents got in Shima-chan's rickshaw. They gracefully passed through the streets from a slightly higher position than usual, with their daughter and son walking beside them. I imagined that it would be hard to imagine creating such wonderful memories.

Happi coat

Shima-chan is actually from Tokyo. In 2018, he moved to Matsuzaki-cho on the west side of the Izu Peninsula. There, he encountered rickshaws and chose to work as a rickshaw driver. He started his rickshaw business in Matsuzaki-cho, and his trademark happi coat has the words "Rickshaw Izu Matsuzaki Group" written on it. I wondered, "Why Matsuzaki, even though he's active in Shuzenji?" But as I listened to him, it seemed like a typical Shima-chan. Shima-chan has a pure sincerity that the things and events that the people in that area have cherished are very precious and dear. For him, the characters on the happi coat are not just words. Shima-chan is wearing "it" - the people surrounding this rickshaw, the people involved, the stories associated with it, the streetscape, and the memories themselves.

Seeing and riding a rickshaw is an extraordinary experience!

When you ride a rickshaw, your line of sight is higher, so the scenery looks fresher.

As I mentioned earlier, the extraordinary thing about riding a rickshaw is that while sitting, your line of sight is higher than usual. There is no enclosure, and you feel the wind directly, so you feel like you are going faster and like a bird. This unique gift of being able to see higher in a rickshaw is said to be appreciated by people in wheelchairs and short children.

Shima-chan often stops along the way and shares stories that I would never have known if I hadn't asked a local, like about the scenery, about life in the past, about history, etc.

Bamboo Forest Path

From a personal point of view, if you are going to ride a rickshaw, I recommend the bamboo forest trail. Of course it is a wonderful place to walk, but being able to ride through this vibrant green space in a rickshaw is filled with a sense of superiority and exclusivity. Being able to take photos of yourself riding in a rickshaw in this space is sure to be a wonderful memory.

Katsura Bridge over the Katsura River

The view upstream from Katsura Bridge

The view downstream from Katsura Bridge

There was just one thing that made an impression on me from Shima-chan's story. (I want to say more but I'll keep it to myself.) She began to explain that there are differences between the right side (upstream) and the left side (downstream) of the red Katsura Bridge. I looked over and sure enough, the way the stones were stacked was different. The stonework on the left side, from my perspective, was made about 100 years ago and is apparently a precious piece that can no longer be made. "Not only is the stonework different upstream and downstream, but the sound of the river is also different," she said, and when I listened to the babbling of the river, I could certainly hear the difference in the sound. The history and emotions of this land were delivered to both my eyes and ears.

The 30 minutes went by in a flash and it was fun!

Now we are back at the starting point. 30 minutes went by in a flash!

Shuzenji Onsen is full of charm. Why not give the special space of a rickshaw to a special someone or to yourself? It's sure to become an unforgettable and wonderful memory!

📷Photo taken on October 11, 2024

Rickshaw Izu Matsuzaki Group

We will be waiting at the foot of the red bridge (Kokei Bridge) in front of Shuzenji Temple .

Book a Shuzenji Onsen sightseeing rickshaw now with "Izu Tabi PickUp!"

Author of this article

📝： Sato Aya | Satoyama Tsukuru Aya Sato

📷: Yohei Saito│Tourist photographer

Places visited in this article

Machi Navi Yururi

818-1 Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture 410-2416

"Machi Navi Yururi" is a rental kimono and yukata specialty store. It is located opposite the "Shuzenji Onsen" bus terminal. We have 160 yukatas and 90 kimonos for men and women. Choose your favorite pattern. If you get lost in choosing a kimono or yukata, you can also give advice. There are also various kinds of clogs, hair ornaments, handbags and other accessories. Of course, you can also wear it.

Shuzenji Hot Spring

Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture 410-2416

Shuzenji Onsen is located in Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and is the oldest hot spring on the Izu Peninsula. It has been selected as one of Japan's 100 famous hot springs. The Shuzenji River flows through the center of the hot spring town, and hot spring inns and restaurants line the banks of the river. In Kawanaka Shia, there is Tokko no Yu, which is a symbol of the hot spring area, and you can enjoy a free footbath. Nearby is Shuzenji Temple, which is the origin of the place's name, and is visited by many tourists. There are many historic sites related to Genji in the vicinity of the hot spring town, including the tomb of Minamoto no Yoriie, the second shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, and Shigetsuden, which was built by Masako Hojo, Yoriie's mother, to pray for the soul of Yoriie.

[Shizuoka/Izu] Bamboo grove path

Shuzenji, Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture 410-2416

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 maintained for three years since 1994 and is a popular tourist spot where you can fully enjoy nature in a quiet environment. As you walk along the path of the bamboo grove, you will feel nostalgic for the teahouse and the fire watchtower, and if you sit on the large circular bamboo bench in the middle of the bamboo grove, you can feel the breeze passing through the bamboo grove. It is lit up from around 18:00 to around 23:00, and you can enjoy a fantastic night walk. We also recommend the art spot that is held for a limited time from around 20:00.