This is a review of our stay at Tofuya Resort and Spa-Izu.
On a weekend in mid-November, when the mountains were colored red and orange, my husband and I decided to visit Shuzenji Onsen in Izu, Japan, with our two small children. The resort we stayed at is very popular and it is hard to get a booking on weekends, but we were lucky enough to find an available room and decided to spend the weekend here. To get straight to the point, the resort was much more sophisticated than we expected. With a river running through the vast resort grounds, restaurants, a cafe, a bakery, a spa treatment store, hot springs, a historical museum, an observatory with a view of Mt. Fuji, and wonderful nature trails scattered throughout the resort, this was a Japanese-style resort where one night was more than enough time to enjoy.
We took the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station around noon, got off at Mishima Station, transferred to The Izu Hakone Sunzu Line, and got off at the last stop, Shuzenji Station. We took a cab from the cab stand in front of the station and passed through a narrow alleyway to see the modern resort where we stayed. The journey took about 25 minutes from Shuzenji Station. The cab fare was about 3,500 yen. The resort was located in a place surrounded by mountains. Upon entering the building, I found a high, massive ceiling with multiple beams on either side, a lit fireplace in the lobby, comfortable caramel brown leather sofas and couches on the wooden floor, and walls designed to look like lattice doors and artwork, creating a sophisticated ambience. The well-manicured courtyard, which could be seen from the large lobby windows, was also a nice touch. We checked in here. Next to the lobby were yukatas, obis, and samue outfits in a variety of colors and patterns, which we selected and were then shown to our room by staff.
On the way to the rooms, there was a bridge like a corridor connecting the entrance wing and the main wing. The beautifully colored maple trees overlooking the bridge were very impressive and tasteful. During our stay, every time we crossed the bridge, we stopped to listen to the murmuring of the river and enjoy the view from here many times. At night, the soft light emitted from the traditionally designed lanterns hung at regular intervals gently illuminated the trees with their red and yellow autumn leaves.
Then this time we stayed in room No. 106, a room with a private onsen in the main building. Pulling the sliding door, we entered the room and found an entrance with tatami mats on the floor, where we took off our shoes. Opening the fusuma sliding door and we found a Japanese-style living room, a bedroom with twin beds on the right, a private onsen with a hinoki bathtub next to the bedroom, and a porch with a cozy couch by the window of the Japanese-style room, which was just the right size for four people. From the window on the porch, we could see the trees with red and yellow autumn leaves and the river running by.
Then we changed into the yukatas and headed for the communal onsen baths in the main building. There are communal outdoor onsen baths, indoor onsen baths, and two private family onsen baths on the resort grounds. The private family onsen baths can be locked and completely private during the time booked.
After enjoying the communal onsen baths, we headed to the lounge of Taishokan, a historic building on the resort grounds. After passing through the main building where the communal onsen baths are located, we came to a wooden terrace facing the riverside. To the left was a restaurant with a thatched roof. Then, after walking for a while, we saw a stone bridge. This stone bridge has a very long history and was built more than 100 years ago. The late autumn scene of the historic stone bridge woven with the autumn leaves of the trees along the river was truly artistic. Walking further up the gentle slope, we found the owner’s classic Ford car on display. Further along, Taishokan, a traditional sukiya-style building, came into view. This historic building was also built more than 100 years ago as a social gathering place to entertain the celebrities of the time.
We passed through the noren curtain with a persimmon tree painted on it and entered the building, where the interior and furniture were arranged in a Taisho Roman style. It was a nostalgic space that combined the Japanese style with the Art Deco style that was popular in Europe and the U.S. at the time. The retro space with jazz music playing in the background was just like stepping back in time to the Taisho era. Guests can enjoy free draft beer, white wine, red wine, original cocktails, sangria, coffee, oolong tea, orange juice, plum juice, peach juice, and snacks here after check-in. Available from 11:00-17:30, even after check-out.
After this, we headed to the restaurant building for dinner. It was gradually getting dark around dusk. Lanterns placed around the resort’s grounds began to light up. After walking slowly along a beautiful path for about five minutes, we saw the restaurant wing. We could choose between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for dinner. Although we were not in a private room, the restaurant was spacious, with plenty of space between tables, so we did not feel disturbed by our surroundings. First, we toasted with a bottle of locally brewed beer and enjoyed a kaiseki meal. The portions were generous, so it was recommended to be hungry. Unfortunately, none of the dishes left a lasting impression. After dinner, when we left the restaurant, the staff prepared some rice balls for our midnight snack.
After dinner, I headed to the spa treatment store in the main building, as I had a spa appointment, while my husband and children headed to the private family onsen bath in the main building. The spa is very popular, so it is recommended to make reservations early. Reservations are especially difficult after dinner. Please contact mahora@thedayspa.jp
The next morning, we took a walk around the resort grounds and headed to Taishokan, the breakfast place. Everywhere we turned, we could hear the murmuring of the river, and the historic buildings, stone bridges, and traditional warehouses nestled in the beautiful, rich natural terrain were in perfect harmony, creating an indescribable space.
Breakfast was served on the second floor of Taishokan. It was in a Japanese-style room in a beautiful sukiya-style building with a view of a wonderful Japanese garden. You can choose either Western or Japanese breakfast. We chose American breakfast when we checked in. The menu offered soy milk and vegetable soup, salad, hot vegetables with bacon and sausage, yogurt, Camembert cheese, fresh fruit, fresh soy milk and vegetable juice, fluffy omelette, and four kinds of bread baked at the resort’s on-site bakery. There are three dining locations on the resort grounds, and the dining on the second floor of Taishokan was worth a visit.
After breakfast, we returned to our room to fully enjoy the private onsen in the room and checked out before 11:00. After that, we bought curry bread and coffee at the bakery and café on the resort grounds, and decided to sit on the terrace with the footbath, enjoying the footbath and the beautiful contrast of the emerald water basin and the trees with their red and orange leaves. The bakery had a selection of about 50 different kinds of breads, all of which looked so delicious that we couldn’t decide which one to try. Then there is an observation deck on the resort grounds where you can view Mt. Fuji on a clear day, but we gave up because of the 40+ minute one-way mountain road.
Overall, the spa resort is spread out over a vast area of land, so one night was not enough time to spend there. Next time we visit, we would like to stay more than two nights.
Check Availability and Pricing for the resort on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to Mishima Station, transfer to The Izu Hakone Sunzu Line, and get off at the last stop, Shuzenji Station. The time required is approximately 100 minutes.
Alternatively, from Tokyo Station, take The Odoriko to Shuzenji Station, which takes about 130 minutes. It is convenient because there are no transfers, but there are few trains.
Then 25 minutes by cab from Shuzenji Station. The fare is approximately JPY3,500.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, samue outfits, a coffee machine with capsules, bottled water, and a Japanese tea set. Room service was available for drinks only. Complimentary drinks, such as vegetable juice, plum juice, and oolong tea are available in the lobby. On top of that, complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea, etc., are available at the traditional building called Taishokan between 11:30 and 17:00.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful indoor and outdoor communal onsen baths in the main wing. They are open from 5:00 to 24:00.
Also, there are 3 private family onsen baths in the main wing that you can use for free for 50min. You need to book in advance at the reception if you want to use them. The private family onsen baths are locked and completely private during the reserved time. All of them are open from 6:00 to 23:00.
Please note that if you have tattoos, use the private family onsen baths, or book a room with a private onsen.
How about meals?
All meals are served in dining areas. Dinner starts at 18:00 or 18:30. Breakfast starts at 8:00 or 8:30. Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there aren’t any restaurants around the resort. Unless you are visiting by car, you may want to book a room with meals included.
Check Availability and Pricing for the resort on Agoda
Info about Tofuya Resort and Spa-Izu
| Style | Onsen Resort |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 80,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | tofuya@tfyjapan.com |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi around the public area |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are not available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Tofuya Resort and Spa-Izu’s MAP |
| Access | 25min by TAXI from Shuzenji Station |
| Address and TEL | 98 Yoshina, Izu-shi, Shizuoka 410-3208 Tel +81 558-85-1000 |
| Official Homepage | Tofuya Resort and Spa-Izu’s HP *Japanese only |
*All information is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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