Zen no Yu

Even though it’s right beside the road, the place is quiet and peaceful, with plenty of free parking. The rooms and baths are in great shape, too. We speak very little Japanese, but the staff went out of their way to help us feel comfortable. They were wonderful and helpful with everything, and the whole place felt really cozy.

Give yourself more than one day here if you want time to unwind. The onsen and rock sauna are perfect for relaxing, and there’s a seven-waterfall hike nearby that you can reach by bus. Just check the bus times, since service depends on where you’re coming from and can be only about once an hour. Breakfast and dinner are included, tasty, and very Japanese. For the price, it’s a great deal, and the staff more than make up for any small complaints.

The food is amazing, with some vegetables from the staff’s own garden and homemade miso. The staff are lovely and so kind. Come here if you want to enjoy an onsen and stone sauna surrounded by nature.

Kawazu and the Izu peninsula are beautiful, and we’re so glad we got to spend time in this part of the world. At Zen-no-yu, Masako-San and her team welcomed us warmly and patiently helped us, even though we’re foreigners from Australia. We enjoyed the fabulous local food, naturally heated mineral onsen, and sauna. The rooms were clean and cozy, too. What a wonderful, magical place.