By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi
As the weather turns cooler and autumn deepens, the land is adorned with a fresh palette of colors. In Shizuoka Prefecture, the Izu Peninsula has also put on a new look, with maple leaves painting the landscape in breathtaking hues. The renowned Shuzenji Maple Festival will be held from November 17 to December 5 at Shuzenji Natural Park’s “Maple Valley”; meanwhile, the Amagi Pass Maple Festival has already kicked off, running from now until November 30 at the “Roadside Station” Amagi Pass.
Shuzenji is a famous maple-viewing spot on the Izu Peninsula. (Photo provided by Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association)
If you were to choose the most poetic place on the Izu Peninsula, then Shuzenji would undoubtedly be the top choice. Discovered by the monk Kūkai (also known as Kōbō Daishi), Shuzenji is a quaint mountain hot spring town with a long history. The scenery is filled with old-style wooden buildings, lush green trees, and dense bamboo groves. Occasionally, you might spot a palanquin being carried by bearers, giving you the fleeting illusion of traveling back in time to the Heian period. When visiting Shuzenji, opt for a small and charming hot spring inn to immerse yourself in history, and pair it with visits to the various modern theme parks nearby to experience the wonderful blend of old and new. Aside from Shuzenji, where the leaves are already starting to turn, the Shuzenji Onsen Street is also gradually being tinged with red. For real-time updates on the status of the foliage, you can check: izuhapi.net/detail/index_1661.html.
● Read more: Chasing the Autumn Maple Red Line – Explore Japan’s Famous Maple Viewing Spots
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When the maple leaves turn, Shuzenji and the surrounding woods are all transformed into a new palette of colors. (Photo provided by Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association)