Chubu Wide-area Tourism Portal Site -- Travel to Ten Thrilling Scenic Sites This showcases sightseeing destinations in Japan's Chubu region (the prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, and Shiga).

Shizuoka Prefecture Izu Area

This is a famous hot spring that represents the central Izu area. There are many Japanese style ryokans on both sides of the Katsura River, which is a tributary of the Kano River. The famous Tokko-no-yu is a symbol of the hot spring town of Shuzenji. The name Tokko-no-yu derives from a legend that the water sprang from a rock when the Buddhist priest Kobo-Daishi struck it with Tokka (iron club). The water still springs out today in the center of the town. Many ryokans are built in the sukiya-zukuri style, and have splendid gardens. This hot spring town has many old temples and historical sites, and has a quiet and gentle atmosphere.