Shuzenji (修善寺) is a small onsen town that lies in the northern part of Izu Peninsula surrounded by hills. The town itself is very picturesque: the Kano River winds its way through the center, over which bridges cross, and there is a small bamboo forest, and several souvenir shops selling local arts and crafts. Tokko-no-yu, a small roofed footbath, sits in the middle of the river and appears in most photographs of Shuzenji. Many also visit Shuzenji Temple (修禅寺) whch was founded 1,200 years ago by Kobo Daishi, a Japanese Buddhist monk who lived from 774 to 835 CE.
