[2025 Izu Stay] Travel Guide for Yukairo Kikuya (Updated Mar)

Yu Corridor Kikuya, located in Izu Shuzenji Temple, is a hot spring hotel with a history of more than 300 years🏡. It was once the permanent residence of Natsume Soseki. The design and layout of the hotel are very particular. You can see the beauty of Japanese gardens everywhere, and the small stream flows through the hotel, adding to the quiet atmosphere. It is an ideal place to experience traditional Japanese life. 🏠Accommodation area Main building: Flower Language Department The room "Umema" where Natsume Soseki once lived is located in the main building. It is full of history and visitors can visit or stay there. New building: Wind Language Department It's very close to the main hotel and close to two indoor private hot springs. It's more affordable than other areas. Villa: Mizunoyubu It has a courtyard view and exclusive access to the suspension bridge, which is a special experience, but the sound of water may be noticeable. 里れ：thatched hut It has its own private bath and provides a tranquil courtyard view, suitable for tourists who pursue private space. Kikuya Hotel is very suitable for taking photos📷, whether you are bringing pets or friends, every corner of the hotel is full of Japanese style, and you will be photographed no matter where you stand! The hot springs in Kikuya are open to residents🆓, and there are four private hot springs that can be reserved (two open-air, two indoors). When enjoying private soup, the sign at the door can indicate "In use". During the day, you will be accompanied by the chirping of birds and the sound of streams💦, and on rainy nights, you will be accompanied by frogs and the sound of rain. Enjoy the ultimate relaxing experience. Breakfast offers both Western and Japanese options to meet the needs of different tastes. Dinner is kaiseki cuisine 🍱, the ingredients are fresh and the taste is delicious. In addition, the hotel also provides 🆓milk, soba noodles, oden, drinks and Yakult, which greatly enhances the happiness of guests.

I went to Izu for the hot springs ♨️ I spent a long time carefully selecting a hotel and finally decided on Tofuya Resort & Spa Izu. It didn't disappoint. The hotel isn't very big, but there are lots of places to walk around and eat and drink. Of course, it's also very photogenic. ✅ Must-try: Hot springs ♨️ There are four private hot springs, two indoor and two outdoor. The outdoor ones have great views. There are also public hot springs. 🍽 Dining recommendations: Dinner is kaiseki. There are two breakfast options: Western and Japanese. 🛏 Room facilities: The rooms are very comfortable and clean. There is a small balcony where you can sit and drink coffee.

Yumekairo Kikuya: A Dream of Japanese Harmony in the Depths of Time Stepping into Yumekairo Kikuya is like stepping into a delicate painting of Japanese aesthetics. The traditional wooden structure exudes a warm and mellow luster, with every grain telling the story of time. In the courtyard, the carefully pruned dry landscape is a sea of sand and a stone island, simple yet profound in its Zen-like meaning. Under the winding corridor, the maple leaves are like fire, the ginkgo leaves are like gold, swaying gently in the breeze, and the fallen leaves are like letters of time. The hot spring pool is filled with steam, and the warm spring water envelops the body and mind, instantly dissipating the fatigue of the journey. Here, you can enjoy exquisite kaiseki cuisine, each dish is a tribute to the season and a distillation of the season, from the fresh sashimi to the delicate wagashi, the taste buds are intoxicated by the Japanese flavor. The waiters in traditional costumes are elegant and soft-spoken, and their attentive service is like the warm sun in spring. At night, lying on the tatami mats in the Japanese-style room, listening to the gurgling water and the rustling wind outside the window, in this quiet world, you can find a home for your soul, and let your soul sleep in the arms of ancient Japanese style.

Yumekairo Kikuya: Encounter tranquility and rediscover the essence of life. In the corner of time, Yumekairo Kikuya is like a shining pearl. Stepping into this place is like entering a tranquil paradise. The wooden architecture exudes a rustic charm, harmonizing with the surrounding natural beauty. Inside the inn, the cozy rooms are exquisitely and comfortably arranged, providing a haven for the soul during a weary journey. The hot springs at Yumekairo Kikuya are a true highlight, with warm waters washing away physical and mental fatigue, allowing guests to immerse themselves in relaxation and tranquility. Here, you can listen to the gentle sound of flowing water, admire the changing beauty of the seasons, and feel the charm and blessings of nature. Whether spending quality time with family or enjoying a leisurely vacation with friends, Yumekairo Kikuya offers unforgettable memories and allows you to rediscover the essence of life.

The century-old inn, Kikuya, where Natsume Soseki once lived, is the most anticipated part of the Izu trip, and it did not disappoint! The inn is full of history and well maintained. The small town of Shuzenji, where the inn is located, is very quiet and beautiful. A stream runs through the inn, forming a landmark landscape at the entrance of the inn. Room: Originally booked a traditional Japanese room for three people in the main building, because the main building was renovated, it was upgraded to a larger room with a private bath by the stream for free, which was a pleasant surprise. Food: One night and two meals, dinner has seven dishes per person, some of which can be chosen from two, the amount is large, and I am full. Breakfast has Japanese and Western options. I chose Japanese rice and small dishes, which were delicious. Other free food provided: Kanto stew in the evening, ramen supper at night, self-service drinks, beer, coffee, three different kinds of Japanese fruit snacks prepared in the room, and Yakult and popsicles in the lounge outside the hot spring. Hot spring: There are two indoor and outdoor public hot springs, and two indoor and outdoor private baths (always in use, did not wait). Every day, the positions of the men's and women's hot springs will be swapped. The yukata and basket provided in the room are also very cute. There is a small exhibition area in the inn, which displays the history of Kikuya and the traces of literati and ink guests. The day of check-in was a family member's birthday, and the small gift from Kikuya was a handwritten blessing, which was very ceremonial.

🍜 Surprise at Shuzenji Station: Met a Chinese lady who has lived in Japan for many years. She enthusiastically shared the secrets of traveling in Izu, filling me with anticipation for this little place. 🏨 Onsen Experience: - 🌙 Moon Star Open-air Private Bath: Recommended experience, an open-air hot spring pool surrounded by tranquil nature, relaxing the body and mind. - 🛁 Room Choice: If possible, choose a room with an open-air hot spring to enjoy a private onsen moment. 🍜 Dining Pleasure: - 🍜 24-hour Buckwheat Noodle Stand: Free supply, satisfying your taste buds at any time. - 🍵 24-hour Coffee Stand: Free milk during the day, lactic acid drinks in the afternoon, and free snacks during dinner time. 🥗 Dinner Feast: - 🍽 7-course Cuisine: Delicately plated, with Japanese and Western options, the Japanese cuisine is particularly distinctive. 📚 History and Culture: - 🏤 The Footsteps of Natsume Soseki: Memories of the old site, the space of Soseki at the new site, feeling the breath of literature. 🌿 Hotel Details: - 🌿 Water Between Suspension Bridge: Walk across the suspension bridge for a different onsen journey. - 🌸 Zen Fragrance Mosquito Repellent: Temple-like tranquility, natural aroma, free from the annoyance of mosquitoes. 📸 The Serenity of Shuzenji: - 🌳 Hie Shrine: Bamboo path, maple bridge, few people, beautiful scenery, suitable for quietly spacing out.

When traveling, unique accommodations are an essential experience. Therefore, for this trip to Shizuoka Prefecture, I specifically booked two nights of distinctive and diverse lodging. "Campground Sanctuary" - Luxury Camping Next to Tea Fields Shizuoka is known as the "holy land of camping" in Japan, so the first night in Shizuoka must be spent experiencing camping! As a camping "novice", I'm actually a little excited. This reservation is for the luxury camping site of "Glamping & Port". The entire campsite was built from a local abandoned school. Some of the old school facilities were transformed into bathrooms, activity rooms, lobbies, and so on. Different sizes of luxury tent campsites were set up on the playground, which is quite creative. The campsite is located next to tea fields and forests, and as soon as you enter, you can feel the comfortable feeling of being close to nature. Walking into the tent, it really feels no less comfortable than a very comfortable hotel. There are sofas, super wide and soft beds, refrigerators, leisure chairs, and even a hammock on the small outdoor platform. There is also a dedicated BBQ area nearby and a shared water bar in the middle of the playground. Isn't this too comfortable? Reserved BBQ dinner, the staff will deliver the ingredients to the front of the room at the agreed time, and patiently tell me how to use the grill. A large plate of meat and vegetables, in the night, listening to gentle music, guarding my grill and food. The feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city is so comfortable. Push open the door, and what you can see is the starry sky outside the tent, while inside the room, there are warm lights and comfortable beds. Huh? Is this what luxury camping is all about? In an instant, I realized that this kind of accommodation experience can also be quite interesting. "Experience the traditional charm of a century-old hot spring hotel at Shuzenji." In Shuzenji, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, there are hot springs, temples, bamboo forests, and a rich history. Natsume Soseki once wrote "Memories" here, and Kawabata Yasunari's "The Dancing Girl of Izu" also began with this scene. Therefore, how can one not experience a traditional hundred-year-old hot spring inn when coming here? In Shuzenji, there are many traditional hot spring inns, but the most worthwhile and popular one to experience is the "Souvenir Kikuya" hot spring inn. It is said that this place has a history of more than 380 years, and the Japanese literary giant Natsume Soseki also lived here for a long time. Even now, the room he once lived in is still preserved. As soon as you step into the Chikuyado, you are surrounded by an ancient and nostalgic feeling. If you are lucky enough like me, maybe you can stay in the room where Natsume Soseki once lived, or in the neighboring area on the same floor. Feel the traditional Japanese atmosphere and experience a wonderful journey of crossing time and space to "meet" literary masters. The rooms in the main building of Jukuya are very traditional Japanese style, but they are also divided into bedrooms and reception rooms. There is also a separate Japanese-style courtyard. My favorite time is in the morning, when the sunlight shines into the room, and I feel as if I have traveled back in time a hundred years. Experience accommodation in Shizuoka Prefecture, where you can enjoy both the trendy modern outdoor style and the traditional Japanese atmosphere. Does it make your heart beat faster?