At the 1939 International Exposition in New York, the Japanese government chose to exhibit a 8.2 m high, 32.7 m wide photograph taken from Darumayama. The view of Mt Fuji across the bay was an instant success and has become famous as a Japanese landscape. From Darumayama, you can see Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, together with the Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan.

Access

Darumayama is only about 25 minutes by bus or taxi from the Shuzenji Station on the Izuhakone Railway. Buses are infrequent. Go here for a round-trip luxury taxi ride that may save you some money. You can make inquiries at the Tourist Information Center in the Shuzenji Station in English or Korean.

Chartered Taxi Plan

Economical round-trip rides to Darumayama in a luxury taxi are available for 9,500 yen.

A famous guide book gave the town of Shuzenji two stars. In the center is the Tokko no yu onsen, the oldest hot springs in all of Izu. It is said that Kōbō Daishi (Kukai) discovered a young boy washing his father’s ailing body in the Katsuragawa River when he visited here in 807. In legend it is said that Kukai was overtaken with the devotion of the son to his father. He took a Buddhist implement called a Dokkosho and struck a rock in the river saying, “the waters of the river must have been cold,” and from that spot a miraculous hot spring emerged. Anyone can enjoy for free the incredible hot springs that gush from the clear stream. The town of Shuzenji has the feel of an ancient city. The Shuzen-ji(Temple）, Chikurin no Komichi Walk, and Shigetsu-den are all within walking distance.

Go through the British Village at the entrance and you’ll find a Japanese garden, the Izu Village, and the Takumi (artisan) Village spread across a wide area. Here you can see Japanese flowers and enjoy the colors of the autumn maple tree forest. In addition, you can experience Japanese culture through pottery and Japanese paper production.

Shuzenji is also a cycling mecca that includes the Cycle Sports Center (CSC) with the Izu Velodrome that was previously used for the world cycling championships. The CSC has an extensive road course where you can borrow a bicycle to enjoy a ride without bringing your own bicycle. The cycling roads in Shuzenji also include a flat course that runs along the Kano River and a steep course to the top of Darumayama.

The Shiitake Mushroom Buckwheat Noodles served at the IZU-La Shuzenji kiosk at Shuzenji Station is also very popular. It is just one of the items that generously use Shiitake mushrooms, which are a specialty of the Shuzenji area. If you want to enjoy a chewier version, try the Zaru-soba (chilled buckwheat noodles). The firmer noodles are a great match for the wasabi that is another specialty of the area. Anyone that visits this area will also want to try the famous box lunch of Shuzenji called Takeshino Aji (Japanese horse mackerel) Sushi. These box lunches are made individually every morning and are bound to sell out. Why not try one of Japan’s Ekiben (railway boxed meals) while you sway with the train on your ride.