The temple was the site of the assassination of the second Kamakura Shogun, Minamoto no Yoriie, in 1204.
Kobo Daishi is said to have discovered the Shuzenji hot spring here when he saw a boy washing his sick father in the river.
The temple's treasure house, the Hoden, displays a wooden sculpture of Shakyamuni Buddha carved by Kobo Daishi.
The site was originally part of the Shingon sect before shifting to the Soto Zen sect in the 13th century.
A memorial monument for the 13 members of the Minamoto clan is located in the temple grounds.
Shuzenji Temple is a historic Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in the heart of the Shuzenji hot spring district in Izu. Founded in 807 AD by Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, the temple was later converted to the Soto Zen sect. The temple grounds feature a prominent medicinal spring that is historically linked to Kobo Daishi's use of a ritual mallet to create the hot spring. The site is framed by seasonal cherry blossoms and is situated near the famous Bamboo Forest Path. It houses significant cultural artifacts including a wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. The temple is historically associated with the Minamoto clan, specifically the residence of Minamoto no Yoriie during his exile and eventual death. Visitors can view the memorial monument dedicated to the Shogun of the Kamakura period within the temple precincts. The surrounding area preserves a traditional atmosphere with stone-paved walkways and proximity to the Katsura River.
The main temple gate framed by cherry blossoms in spring or the contrast of the wooden architecture against the autumnal foliage.
Walk the nearby Bamboo Forest Path, which is less than five minutes away on foot.
Visit the Hoden museum on the temple grounds to see the historically significant Buddhist statues.
Combine your visit with a soak in the nearby public 'Tokko-no-yu' hot spring footbath.
Do not attempt to walk to the temple from the distant Shuzenji train station; use the local bus or taxi to reach the town center.
Maintain silence, remove footwear before entering interior temple buildings, and refrain from photography inside the main halls.
