Hiking in the Izu Forest During National Day 🥾♨️

Celebrate National Day with a hike in the countryside of Izu, Japan, for some tranquil and beautiful hot springs. It's fun and completely devoid of crowds! Apart from Ōshima, Izu has plenty more to offer. I highly recommend it to friends who want to visit Japan during the holiday but wish to avoid the hustle and bustle! This time, I visited Shūzenji in central Izu, which is a 2-hour round trip from Tokyo and easily accessible by public transportation. The nearby Odoriko Promenade is the filming location for Kawabata Yasunari's novel and the movie "The Izu Dancer," and it's a well-established hiking route, 16km one way, taking about 6.5 hours. There are buses along the hiking route, so if you get tired, just hop on a bus. It's up to you how you want to proceed 👌 My itinerary: Tokyo 🚄 Shūzenji - 🚌 35 minutes - Jōren Falls (start of the hike) 🚶 2.5 hours - Old Amagi Tunnel (movie shooting location) 🚌 10 minutes - Kawazu Nanadaru (seven natural waterfalls, beautiful) 🚶 1 hour walking and enjoying Kawazu Nanadaru, return to Mizukara and take the bus 🚌 1.5 hours - Shūzenji (stay at Shūzenji Onsen Hotel) Some tips: 1️⃣ There are many streams and waterfalls along this route, and it can rain in this season, so waterproof gear is essential. I recommend wearing GTX outerwear and hiking shoes. 2️⃣ The trail is in good condition with no steep slopes, so you don't need trekking poles. 3️⃣ The area around Shūzenji is known for its wasabi production (it's wasabi, not horseradish). If you come across wasabi noodles or wasabi mixed rice, be sure to give them a try! Fresh, high-quality wasabi won't make your eyes water with its spiciness; instead, it has a subtle, sweet flavor and is delicious! 4️⃣ Mizukara Station has been renamed! It's now called Kawazu Nanadaru Yūbōdō Iriguchi, but only the local offline signs have been changed. The map software hasn't been updated yet, so don't get misled. 5️⃣ Buses run once an hour, so make sure to check the last bus time. #NationalDayWanderEatDiary #OutdoorsIsMySanctuary #XiaohongshuOutsiderFestival #HikingTrail #HikingTrailRecommendations #JapanTravel #OffTheBeatenPath #JapaneseHiking #Izu #KAILAS