Time Traveler Izu Shuzenji

There’s plenty of space and the price was fairly cheap for a guesthouse near Izu. On clear nights, the stars are beautiful. It is a bit of a drive to get here because the guesthouse sits on a slope. The room arrangement was odd, with two beds and the living room all in one space. Running the microwave and water heater together tripped the power, and there were quite a few mosquitoes. The rear balcony was connected to the other guests’ rooms.

I came back for a second stay, this time for two nights with my daughter. There were only two bath towels and two regular towels for both of us, and staff said that’s the limit per person even for multiple nights, so I suppose guests are expected to wash and reuse them. I brought my own this time. On the final morning, I tried one of the inn’s towels, thinking it was just folded messily, but it had been used and refolded. It smelled like a man’s bodily fluids and had touched my body before I realized. I went back to bathe and wash again. It was disgusting. I don’t think staff did it on purpose, but they should check the towels. I recommend bringing your own, and also hand towels since there are none for the kitchen, bathroom, or toilet. I bought two disposable paper towel rolls for about 100 yen at the wholesale supermarket on the way and put one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. Very handy. We were on the first floor this time, and Docomo signal was completely dead, so I couldn’t make calls unless I went outside. LINE calls over Wi-Fi were an option. We don’t have pets, but were given a pet-friendly room, and my daughter’s nose itched the whole time. The water was great, though, so I’d like to return, ideally to a second-floor room with a steadier signal rather than a pet-friendly one. During my first visit, I didn’t run into any management staff at check-in, checkout, or during the stay. I struggled a little with the entrance key box because I’m clumsy, but now that I know how it works, it should be fine next time. The apartment-style place has a bedroom, kitchen, washer, and bathroom. There’s an induction stove, microwave, toaster, rice cooker, and two laundry detergent loads, so simple cooking and washing are possible. The balcony clothesline is light enough to bring indoors for drying. There’s a bunk bed in the living room and two more in the bedroom. I bumped my head on them several times despite the warning signs. The ladder in the middle makes them awkward to use, so next time I’ll sleep on the living room sofa bed instead. The bathtub faucet likely uses tap water, while the bath itself has hot spring water. The hot springs were fantastic. That season I had severe scalp dryness and nothing prescribed or recommended, including shampoos, helped. After bathing, I poured this water over my head several times and my scalp, which hadn’t improved at all before, got surprisingly better. Other springs may do the same, but I haven’t tried them. If you have similar trouble, this spring could be worth a try. For fancy food and service, go elsewhere; for an easygoing stay focused on the hot springs, this is a good choice. I’d like to return soon.

We were a couple, and the apartment felt far more spacious and relaxing than a business hotel. There was a big living room plus two bedrooms. The renovation left it clean, and the large balcony and green view from the window were soothing. Our room had two regular beds and two bunk beds, with room for six, plus a spare futon in the closet. One night felt too short. I wish we’d stayed longer.

Very roomy! The beds are bunks, and there’s a massage chair plus a hot spring faucet in the bathroom. Great value for the money. Staff interaction is contactless, and the hotel’s garden is on the first floor.