Atami Onsen is located an hour away from Tokyo on the coast of the Izu peninsula. It is famous for keeping its traditional charms while reinventing itself in recent years and becoming a popular tourist destination by the sea.
The Sakura Mobile Blog team has created a complete guide for Atami onsen, including recommended sightseeing information, things to do, restaurants to visit, and a list of various hot spring resorts and hotels. This article should help you decide what to do before your next trip out to Atami Onsen!
Let’s get started!
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Our global editorial team living in Japan will introduce the charms of the country based on what we have actually experienced and felt.
Table of Contents
- What kind of place is Atami Onsen?
- Introducing Atami Onsen’s charms
- Ryokan and hotels at Atami Onsen
- Things to do in Atami
- Food and restaurants around Atami Onsen
- Two-day one-night travel itinerary in Atami
- When to visit Atami Onsen
- How to get to Atami Onsen
- Atami Onsen map
- Things to keep in mind when visiting Atami
- Conclusion
1. What kind of place is Atami Onsen?
Atami is a famous hot springs town on the coast of Shizuoka prefecture. The town is located at the foot of a volcanic mountain range and has numerous onsen and hot springs. Atami actually means “hot ocean”, and has been known as a hot spring resort town since around 900 AD.
As a result of these ancient hot springs, the town has been a popular destination for a long time with over 6 million tourists visiting every year. Atami is filled with history and a ton of interesting things to do and experience!
The waters at Atami Onsen are slightly alkaline and are said to help reduce nerve and muscle pain, joint stiffness, bruises, wrinkles, fatigue, and much more! If you are experiencing any of these ailments, it may be worth it to plan a trip to Atami Onsen.
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2. Introducing Atami Onsen’s charms
The various different charms of Atami Onsen create plenty of different reasons to visit! For example…
Soaking in an onsen with a view of the ocean
Have you ever wanted to soak in rejuvenating onsen waters while enjoying an amazing ocean view? You can do that in Atami! The Sagami Bay is large, beautiful, and can be seen from many different places throughout Atami. When you book your ryokan or hotel, check to see what the view looks like from the onsen and if you can see the bay!
Going to the beach and other historical spots
Atami is known for its sandy and picturesque beach! Atami Sun Beach is just a short walk away from Atami Station, so you can enjoy the sun and sea even on a short day trip away from Tokyo!
If you get tired of relaxing on the beach, check out one of the many historical landmarks throughout Atami. Places like Izusan Shrine, Atami Castle, Kiunkaku (one of Atami’s Three Great Villas), Kinomiya Shrine, and much more are all worth visiting and experiencing!
Enjoying the seasonal events, like firework festivals!
Atami has a ton of special seasonal events, so make sure to check ahead of time what seasonal events are being held before you go! For example, there is a Spring Festival in Atami Baien from January to March where you can enjoy the blooming pink and white flowers on over 400 plum trees. Plums are a traditional plant that symbolizes Japan, so definitely be sure to catch them blooming.
If you’re near Atami Harbor, you should check to see if there will be a fireworks display! There are fireworks displays year-round, but they are more common in the summer. We recommend watching from the beach, the top of the mountains, or from the comfort of an onsen or your hotel room!
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3. Ryokan and hotels at Atami Onsen
There are plenty of Japanese-ryokan and Western-style hotels that we recommend staying at in Atami, but we could only put our top 4 in this article! We chose them based on their ocean views and prices. Check them out below!
Onsen Hostel Hinoemi (温泉ホステル日の笑)
Onsen Hostel Hinoemi is a hostel that has great ocean views. It’s also the least expensive place on our list, starting at around 4,000 JPY per person per night. Consider Hinoemi if you’re trying to travel on a budget. The rooms are smaller but there is a shared floor with all of the amenities you’ll need to have a great time in Atami!
Hostel Hinoemi is the best place to enjoy great views and the hot onsen waters at a reasonable price. It’s secluded, family-friendly, and a great way to experience traditional Japanese culture in Atami. Check it out below!
Ryoutei Ryokan Atami Koarashitei (料亭旅館 熱海 小嵐亭)
Ryokan Atami Koarashitei is a luxury Japanese ryokan. This ryokan is located a little ways away from Atami Station, so we recommend taking a taxi when you arrive. If you want to get a traditional Japanese experience, stay at Koarashitei while visiting Atami.
When booking your room, consider the various dinner plans that they offer. Japanese kaiseki, barbebcue, tempura, fresh fish, and much more are prepared at peak freshness. The ingredients that they use vary based on what’s in season, what’s local, and what tastes the best! Book a room that faces Sagami Bay, so you can watch the fireworks from your room! Check it out below.
Atami Korakuen Hotel (熱海後楽園ホテル)
Atami Korakuen Hotel is located next to Atami Port, about a 15-minute walk away from Atami Sun Beach. This hotel is slightly more expensive but worth the price! There are also a few private outdoor onsen on the top floors, perfect for experiencing the fireworks up close!
The public onsen is large and has views of the whole Sagami Bay. Not only will the price include the room, but also dinner and breakfast. If you really want to experience a traditional Japanese meal, go for the slightly more expensive kaiseki dinner. You’ll be able to experience the freshest in-season ingredients specially selected by the head chef. Check out Atami Korakuen Hotel below.
HOTEL ACAO (ホテル・アカオ)
HOTEL ACAO is a luxury resort actually built on the side of a cliff. You really can’t get any closer to the shore than this! HOTEL ACAO is the most expensive place on our list, starting from about 15,000 JPY per person per night. The rooms, dining, spa, and facilities are all luxurious and everything will make you feel relaxed from the second you enter.
There is an outdoor infinity onsen bathtub, which is said to make you feel like you are immersed in the sea! If you have tattoos or are just uncomfortable bathing with random people, you should rent the private onsen for 60 minutes at 5,500 JPY. If you’re planning a special event, or just feel like splurging on your trip to Atami Onsen, definitely consider booking with HOTEL ACAO. Check it out below.
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4. Things to do in Atami
Next up, we will introduce and recommend things to do around Atami. If you’re only going for a day or two, there won’t be enough time to do everything. And the number one thing that we recommend that you do in Atami is…
Relax at Atami Sun Beach! (熱海サンビーチ)
Atami Onsen is known for its amazing nature, amazing beaches, and amazing food! Atami Sun Beach is Atami’s most famous beach! It’s located about a 15-minute walk away from Atami Station and is about 400 meters in length. If you go to Atami, make sure to cut out a few hours for relaxing on the beach!
Check out the times and days that fireworks shows are held over the bay, as they are held year-round but occur more often in the summer! The beach opens at 9 AM and has an atmosphere similar to that of a luxury resort. In summer, it’s a popular place for families and couples to swim, walk on the sand, and play in the waves!
ACAO FOREST (アカオ・フォレスト)
ACAO FOREST is a rose garden in Atami. Even though it’s located at the top of a mountain, they make sure you don’t get tired too quickly. There is a bus that will take you to the top after you buy your tickets, so you can enjoy a nice leisurely stroll down the side of the mountain with a beautiful view of Sagami Bay. Enjoy various flower gardens, fountains, a shrine, a cafe, and photo spots that are sure to look great on social media! Make sure to visit in April to enjoy the Tulips.
Atami Baien (熱海梅園)
Atami Baien is a plum garden that is said to have the earliest blooming plum blossoms in Japan. There is a festival held from January to early March when the trees are supposed to be in full bloom. You can enjoy the garden all year, as there are multiple different plums trees with various different times for blooming throughout the year. There are over 470 trees, with over 50 different varieties. Plan a picnic or a stroll when visiting Atami.
Atami Castle (熱海城)
Atami Castle isn’t actually a castle that was used in old Japan and was built in 1959 as a tourist attraction and museum. It has various exhibits about different castles and the history of Japan. If you’d like, take advantage of the costume rentals and dress up like a samurai or princess! The top floor sports beautiful panoramic views of Sagami Bay and the entirety of Atami Onsen. This is another great spot to enjoy the Atami fireworks festival from.
Kinomiya Shrine (来宮神社)
Kinomiya Shrine is a must-visit if you appreciate traditional architecture and history, as Kinomiya shrine was built over 1,300 years ago. There is also a gigantic 2,000-year-old tree that is said to have healing powers located behind the shrine. If you walk around the base of the tree once, it is said that your life will be extended by 1 year and your wish will come true! If you like red torii gates and places that will look great on Instagram, consider checking out Kinomiya Shrine.
Kiunkaku (起雲閣)
Kiunkaku is a historic building known as one of the 3 villas of Atami. Iwasaki Villa and Sumitomo Villa are 2 other luxurious villas from the big 3, but Iwasaki Villa is not open to the public and Sumitomo Villa actually burned down in 2009. If you want to experience the beautiful Japanese architecture and history you’ll have to settle for Kiunkaku.
Kiunkaku was built for the owner of a large shipbuilding business in 1919, but became a ryokan in 1947, and became a cultural property for preservation in 1999. Enjoy tea and other Japanese sweets after touring the property in their cafe.
MOA Museum of Art (MOA美術館)
The MOA Museum of Art was established in 1982 to host Okada Mokiji’s large collection of arts. There are over 3,500 pieces of art, including Japanese and Chinese traditional paintings, national treasures, calligraphy, Japanese and Chinese ceramics, old textiles, and other important cultural pieces.
The MOA Museum of Art was built on the top of a hill overlooking Atami. There are various facilities, including cafes, Tea houses, a patisserie, a Japanese garden, a traditional theater, restaurants, and various other things on top of their extensive galleries and collections. Check out MOA if you’re interested in relaxing while appreciating lots of different traditional and modern art.
Hatsushima (初島)
Hatsushima is an island off the coast of Atami. To get there, you are gonna have to take a 30-minute ferry ride from Atami Port. Hatsushima can be a fun day trip to a resort island or even an overnight camping trip. Climb in the trees on the SARUTOBI adventure course, or relax on one of the island’s resorts.
Go to Shimano Yu, the island’s onsen, to enjoy an onsen bath next to the waters of the ocean. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk from one side of the island to the other, so you can take your time exploring Hatsushima and discovering new exciting things!
Heiwa Shopping Street (平和通)
Before heading home, it would be best to check out Heiwa Shopping Street right in front of Atami Station. If you want to experience Japan through food, you can enjoy street foods like Japanese manju, Atami rice cakes, rice crackers, Atami butter pastries with red beans, fishcakes, hardboiled eggs, and much more!
Find cool souvenirs from Atami while eating delicious foods and exploring the street! Definitely visit on an empty stomach, because there are so many good spots that you can’t pass up!
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5. Food and restaurants around Atami Onsen
Next up are some restaurants and dessert shops in Atami that we think you should check out! We included some food stalls around Atami Station and some places where you can sit down and enjoy a meal!
Maruten Atami (磯揚げ まる天 熱海店)
Maruten Atami is a fried food shop that’s great for Atami’s “tabearuki” or “walking while eating”. It’s located right next to Atami Station, a perfect way to start or end your journey around the onsen. Grab their most popular Cheese Sticks, an Octopus Stick, or a fried butter potato ball! Maruten Atami is loved by tourists and Japanese locals alike.
Atami Purin (熱海プリン)
Atami Purin is a famous pudding store in Atami. They have 4 stores, including 3 cafes located around the Atami area and 1 food stall near Atami station. Atami Purin became famous because of its delicious sweets and cute mascot! They sell various merchandise and souvenirs of their mascot that are Atami Onsen-themed, and we recommend picking one up!
Try a variety of different types of pudding, like their specialty caramel syrup pudding, salt flavor pudding, strawberry pudding, Shizuoka Matcha pudding, berry pudding, espresso pudding, pudding manju, drinkable pudding, pudding popsicle, pudding cake, pudding soft serve ice cream, salt flavor soft serve ice cream and various other limited edition flavors that are being released often!
Irori Chaya (囲炉茶屋)
If you’re looking for a delicious traditional Japanese restaurant near Atami Station, check out Irori Chaya. They have delicious food, tasty drinks, and a relaxing atmosphere. We recommend the horse mackerel ochazuke, a bowl of rice and fish that you add tea broth to.
Irori Chaya is only 2 minutes away from Atami Station. If you have a group, they ask that you make a reservation before coming to the restaurant. Irori Chaya is perfect for those who are hungry, as they have large portions of rice, fish, meat, and lots of different varieties of side dishes that come with meals! They also offer a variety of different types of Japanese sake, beer, and plum wine.
Densuke Chaya (でん助茶屋)
Densuke Chaya is a seafood restaurant on the shores of Atami. It is located about a 5-minute walk from Atami Sun Beach. Enjoy fresh seafood while enjoying the wide ocean view. They are famous for their Fried Horse Mackerel lunch set which includes 2 thick-cut pieces of fresh horse mackerel straight from their fish tank, and their seafood lunch bowl which has a mix of fresh fish.
If you’re looking for a delicious Japanese seafood lunch to take a break from the beach, we recommend Densuke Chaya. If you know that you want to eat here, call ahead and make a reservation so that you can be seated and served faster, as it is usually busy.
Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?
In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high speed data and internet!
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- Avoid stock shortages at the airport
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6. Two-day one-night travel itinerary in Atami
Here’s a basic travel itinerary for a weekend in Atami!
DAY 1
10:00 Arrive at Atami Station
Depending on where you are departing from, you might have to leave early in the morning! We recommend getting to Atami around 10:00 AM. If you are departing from Tokyo Station, buy your Shinkansen Tickets around 9:00 AM.
10:30 Enjoy Atami Sun Beach
Start your Atami trip by visiting Sun Beach! You can take the bus, but if the weather is nice we recommend walking and exploring the cool stores on the way!
When you get to the beach, talk a walk along the coast and enjoy the fresh air! In the morning, the beach should not be too crowded, so you can take it easy.
11:30 Grab a seafood lunch
If you’re going to Atami, you’re gonna want to get some fresh seafood. We recommend the fried horse mackerel lunch set from Densuke Chaya!
Here are a few other options that you might want to check out around Atami!
12:30 Get some Pudding at Atami Purin!
Atami has a ton of stylish and delicious dessert shops. After lunch, pick up a sweet treat from Atami Purin! They have a few different shops around Atami, so no matter where you get lunch, there should be a shop nearby! If you go to Densuke Chaya, The Atami Purin nearest to Atami Station should be the nearest!
13:30 Visit ACAO FOREST
After grabbing a pudding, head to ACAO FOREST. Hop on the bus or hail a taxi, it should take about 15 to 20 minutes. This nature walk will be special with expansive flower gardens, a cliffside swing, a shrine, a cafe, a herb garden, a pizzeria, and much more! A perfect way to relax while looking out over Sagami Bay.
17:00 Atami Korakuen Hotel
Exploring ACAO FOREST will leave you tired after a long day. When you’re done, hop on the bus or call a taxi again and head to Korakuen Hotel. It should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Start by relaxing in your room, if you’d like to try a traditional Japanese experience, book a tatami mat room! If you can’t get comfortable sleeping on the floor, don’t worry, they offer lots of Western-style rooms too.
After getting settled in, head to the onsen. With views of Sagami Bay, get refreshed and rejuvenated. If you have tattoos or want to hop in the onsen with your family, loved ones, or friends, reserve one of the private baths on the Excellency floor. It’s only available for those who are staying on the 15th, 16th, and 17th floors.
For dinner, we recommend getting the Japanese-style kaiseki. They use high-quality ingredients, and you can enjoy the chef’s original dishes that make the most of the freshest seasonal ingredients. If you’d rather, enjoy the buffet that features a variety of Izu cuisine instead. Order the dining plan when you book your room.
DAY 2
9:00 Head to Hatsushima
When you finish breakfast, start to head to Hatsushima. Atami Korakuen Hotel is one of the closest hotels to Atami Port, which is the perfect hotel for heading out to the small island off the coast of Atami!
10:00 Go diving
On Hatsushima, there are a ton of different things to do and explore! You can do all of those things, but this is a great chance to explore something that you can’t explore above water! Below is a link for a diving experience at a resort in Hatsushima.
If you’re not feeling down to go diving, don’t worry! There are a ton of resorts, places to relax, and things to do on the island.
12:00 Lunch
After building up an appetite, head to the restaurant district! There is a ton of restaurants that serve awesome fresh seafood around the port area. Eat sushi, poke bowls, lobsters, and so much more! You can’t go wrong even if you try something new, as everything is fresh and delicious.
14:00 Relax in an onsen
Before heading back to the mainland, finish your time on the island by going to an onsen one more time!
The best part about Shima No Yu Onsen is that the baths are right over the ocean. Refresh and relax while listening to the sounds of the ocean crashing on the rocks.
15:30 Head back towards Atami Station
Hope you had a great time in Hatsushima, but it’s almost time to go home! Start to head back towards Atami Station.
16:30 Walking around Atami shopping street
Buy a few snacks and eat them while exploring! Atami Onsen Manju, Atami Onsen hardboiled eggs, fishcakes, rice cakes, and so much more! If you want to experience real Japanese street food, Atami’s shopping streets are the place to go.
There are a few shopping streets around Atami Station that we recommend stopping at before heading home. If there were any souvenirs that you saw before now would be the best time to pick them up because carrying a heavy souvenir around Atami could get tiring!
After you’re done exploring, it’s time to head home!
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7. When to visit Atami Onsen
Atami Onsen is a fun seaside town that you can visit anytime throughout the year! Here’s a quick overview of the best things to do in each season in Atami.
Spring
In mid-April, check out the Izusan Shrine Festival. A traditional festival with lion sculptures and dancing on the final day.
The weather is sunny, but not too hot or humid. The perfect time to visit the beach or go diving on Hatsushima!
Summer
Go to the beach! The beach is a must-go in August. Cool off from the sun by going for a swim in the ocean.
There are firework shows in every season in Atami, but they happen more often in the summer! If you time your trip right, you might be able to catch 2 shows before going home!
Here’s a link to the schedule for 2022.
Fall
In fall, there are huge seas of red and orange leaves at Atami Baien. After rejuvenating in an onsen, take a nice stroll and enjoy the fall colors!
Winter
If you go to Atami in the winter, definitely check out the Atami Baien plum blossom festival. It lasts for about 2 months from mid-January to mid-March.
There is also a Sakura blossom viewing festival from late January to mid-February, where you can walk along lit-up paths at night next to the Itogawa river in central Atami.
This is one of the most popular places to view flowers in Japan! After a day of enjoying the beautiful blooming flowers, hop in an onsen to warm up and refresh!
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8. How to get to Atami
How to get to Atami from Tokyo
Atami is fairly close to Tokyo by Shinkansen, the method of transportation that we recommend the most!
The Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo station to Atami Station takes about 50 minutes and costs about 4,000 JPY.
If you want to save money, try reserving seats on a highway bus! If you feel like relaxing on your journey to Atami, this could be a great option as driving to Atami from Tokyo takes at least 2 hours. Taking a highway bus from Shinjuku or Tokyo station could save you about 500 to 1,500 JPY one way.
We don’t recommend taking the regular express line (JR Tokaido Line) to Atami from Tokyo, but if you decide to take it, know that it could take 40 minutes to an hour longer than the bullet train. A one-way ticket will save you about 500 JPY one way.
How to get to Atami from Osaka and Kyoto
The best way to get to Atami from Kansai (the Osaka and Kyoto area) is the Shinkansen. The Shinkansen has direct trips to Atami from Osaka and Kyoto, so you won’t even have to transfer! The trip will take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on what kind of bullet train you use, and will cost around 13,000 JPY one way.
Using a highway bus could save you some money, but it might take over 5 hours. If you want to save some money and some time, consider taking an overnight bus.
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9. Atami Onsen map
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10. Things to keep in mind when visiting Atami
Review the rules of bathing in an onsen before hopping in! Many hotels and ryokan usually do not allow people with tattoos to enter onsen. Sadly, it’s just the rules in Japan. If you still want to bathe in onsen, make sure to book a hotel or ryokan with a private onsen, or check ahead and find onsen that are accepting of tattoos! Check out the link below if you’re still not sure about all of the rules of onsen.
Some stores and restaurants only take cash! Make sure to bring enough money with you to Atami, as money exchange machines are rare. You can use a foreign credit or debit card to withdraw Japanese cash at most convenience stores like 7-11 and Lawson, but you’ll have to pay small fees.
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11. Conclusion
We hope our article was able to help you plan your weekend in Atami! It’s a short trip 50-minute trip from Tokyo and a place that has been getting popular with young people recently.
Enjoy Atami Sun Beach, which is only a short walk from Atami Station. If possible, try to spend two days truly relaxing and taking it all in. If your time in Japan is limited, we recommend going for at least a day to experience a resort town that you will not want to miss when visiting Japan!
Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?
In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high speed data and internet!
By reserving online before departing, you can
- Lower your rental fees
- Avoid stock shortages at the airport
To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.
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