Word of Mouth Travel Guide - Japan Hopper » Natsume Soseki

Izu Shuzenji hot springs -Izu- Kodaman’s J-TRIP

kodaman — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:04:02 +0000

Before visiting to Izu shuzenji, I always imagined that Shuzen ji temple is located in the middle of the

bamboo groves in that its location is in the center of Izu peninsula. It was actually developed but

remained the atmosphere of the traditional hot spring resort. I visited there on earyl May 2008

without any information. Traveling without any information is most of times very fun because

everything showed up is quite new experience. At this time, I and my wife didn’t have a map and we just

went there by a train from Atam like “play it by ear”. It took 50 min from Atami. Going to Shuzenji from

Tokyo by a local train not Shinkansen, it takes about 150 min or more. (about 100 min by Shinkansen)

What are so special in Shuzen ji hot springs are…

Shuzen ji Temple opened by Kukai (Kobo daishi) in 807 in Shingon sect.(Now Soto Zen sect)
Value:Hot springs in this area was selected one of 100 best hot springs (日本100名湯)
Food: Buckwheat noodle (Soba) /Wasabi / Black rice (cake or dumpling)
Famous: Many authors loved this area such as Masuji Ibuse, Soseki Natsume or Yasunari Kawabata
Easy access to the Cycle sports center, Izu Mito sea paradise(means kids also can be fun)

Walking to the center of Shuzen ji hot springs from Shuzenji station took 30 min on foot (1.5mile).
People can take a bus but we choose walking. During walking from a station,

we found some Soba shops which looked very crowded. [Nanaban(な々番)] and [Dokko soba Ohto（独鈷そば大戸)] are famous.

Fresh Wasabi must make visitors surprised and please make some noise when you eat soba. I want you to try Black rice cake. its texture is muy interesante!!

I posted many points with locations,photos and info on Japan hopper,

so please explore by using the tag “shuzenji“. Those photos are some of them.

[Access] Bus #1 from Shuzen ji Station to Shuzen ji Hot spring area

Tokyo-[60min(Shinkansen)]- Mishima-[33min(Izu Hakone railway)]

- Shuzenji station - Bus(10min)- Shuzen ji

Kinomiya Shrine (Atami) “Kodaman’s J-TRIP”

kodaman — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:33:00 +0000

In Kinomiya ,which is the next station from Atami by JR Itoh line, there is a shrine called “Kinomiya Jinjya.” This Shinto shrine has been worshiped by people in the vicinity from 1300 years ago. Why it’s called “Ki No Mi ya” is because people have worshiped “Nature” and “Ki” is the word of wood in Japanese. Actually there is a camphor tree which is the second thickness in Japan. This tree is called age-of-a-tree 2000.

It is said that one’s year of lives will be prolonge, if one goes around this tree. Maybe you will see some Japanese tourists circling around this tree.

-Kinomiya Shrine-

[Address]43-1, Nishiyama-cho, Atamishi, Shizuoka-ken

[Access]

Tokyo-> Atami (1hour 40min by JR Tokaido line/45min by Shinkansen)

Atami-> Kinomiya (Itoh line ) 2min

Soba -Taga soba(Taga)- “Kodaman’s J-TRIP”

kodaman — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:33:45 +0000

Many people living in Tokyo go to Atami for taking hot spring. Atami is the gate of Izu peninsula. Many people take some rest in Atami for going Izu shuzenji , Shirahama beach in Shimoda or somewhere in Izu.

On the way to going Itoh or Izu peninsula from Atami, there is “Taga soba” producing good atmosphere with old Japanese house in Taga ( 15min from Atami station by car). Soba here is a little bit hard texture. I think , however, Soba is “the harder, the better”. Making sounds is also good way to eat SOBA! Let’s make sounds! My grand father told me “the bigger sounds, the better.”

Taga soba has many kinds of soba. My favorite soba is Mori soba( cold Soba on a top of plate) with Sakura ebi tempura. Sakura ebi(Cherry blossoms shrimp) is one of the special product in Izu area. Even many Japanese go to Izu don’t know here but it’s always crowded. But I think one can enjoy waiting because there is a garden inside and the Pacific ocean in front of this restaurant. I don’t recommend that one go there by a taxi from ATAMI in that R135 going Taga soba is sometimes terrible traffic jam. Using a train must be great.

-Taga Soba-

[Address] 798, Kamitaga , Atam-shi, Shizuoaka-ken , Japan
[Access] Izu Taga station (JR Itoh line from Atami) Tokaido line and Shinkansen(Kodama) goes to Atami from Tokyo (100min/ express 80min) . 10 min from Izu Taga station. (Near R135)

[Tel] 0557-68-1012

[Open] 11:00 ~ 16:00 Last order / 15:50 [Close]Thurday

[Map] more photos and a rough map in Japanese

I almost forget .. Cold Iwanori soba(please put good seaweed in a soup) also one of my favorite.

Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Tokyo Kanda “Yoshoku Shoeitei”

katchaman — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:05:16 +0000

“Yoshoku” means Western food in Japan. A large number of Western dishes have been introduced to Japan over the centuries. Many of them have become completely Japanized, and these dishes are now called Yoshoku dishes.

Founded in 1907, “Shoeitei” is one of the oldest Japanized Western Food restaurant in Japan. Soseki Natsume had had a meal here.

When you come to Akihabara, please visit here! Kanda, You can eat authentic Yoshoku dishes here! Shoeitei Entrance

Yoshoku Gakiage: Soeitei provides this Yoshoku Kakiage only. Soseki Natsume loved this Yoshoku Kakiage. Yoshoku Kakiage is 850yen.

Omuraisu- A simple yet very tasty dish is Omuraisu. The dish comprises of cooked rice wrapped in a thin omelet and served with tomato ketchup. This is 730yen. Right side is Roll Cabbage 800yen.

Owner and chef, Mr. Hiroshi Horiguchi and Ms. Hisako Horiguchi

Restaurant Name: Shoeitei
Address: Kanda Awaji-cho 2-8 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3251-5511
Openning Hour: 11:00～14:00、16:30～19:00
Regular closing day: Sunday, National Holiday
Seat: No smoking only