The history of Atami dates back to the Nara period (710—794). The town's many hot springs flow with water that's gentle on the skin and has a smooth, weak alkaline quality. This is the famous hot spring water that Ieyasu Tokugawa loved so much he had it brought to Edo Castle.

Atami was the in-place for honeymoons in the Showa era, and it's still a very popular beach resort year-round thanks to easy access by Shinkansen from Tokyo (the trip takes about 45 minutes) and from Nagoya (about 90 minutes).

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    Popular beaches in Atami

    Fun for couples and families too

    Popular beaches in Atami
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    Within easy reach of the Tokyo metropolitan area, the beach resort of Atami has a number of beaches for visitors to enjoy not only in summer but year-round, including during the year-end holidays.

    The most famous beach here is Atami Sun Beach, located in the heart of the city. The calm sea lined with palm trees looks every bit like an exotic beach resort. It's perfect for a holiday as a couple. Fireworks are staged throughout the year, making the beach enjoyable even in autumn and winter. Nagahama Beach in Shimotaga is an excellent choice for families, while Atami Sun Beach has a sophisticated vibe.

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    Recommended sightseeing spots in Atami

    Find a plethora of attractions such as hot springs, museums, and popular shrines

    Recommended sightseeing spots in Atami
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    The onsen of Atami are thanks to the area’s abundance of hot spring water. The name Atami (literally, ”hot sea”) comes from the fact that hot spring water once gushed out from under the sea in this region. Hot springs you can visit on a day trip to Atami include popular facilities like Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu.

    Regarded as a spot with spiritual power, Kaminiya Shrine attracts many worshippers from all over Japan. The 2,000-year-old sacred camphor tree, Okusu, adds to the mystical atmosphere. And if art is your thing, be sure to visit the MOA Museum of Art. Located high above Sagami Bay, the museum houses many valuable pieces of art, including the Red and White Plum Blossoms folding screen by Ogata Korin.

    If you’re on a family trip, make sure you bring your kids to Hoshino Resort Risonare Atami. The resort has a full range of playgrounds, including an adventure course 9 metres above the ground.

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    Atami's main streets

    Take a stroll around old-fashioned shopping arcades

    Atami's main streets
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    With its spectacular views of the ocean stretching right in front of you, dotted here and there with hot springs, Atami is a charming resort. At the centre of Atami is Atami Ekimae Shopping Street. In front of Atami Station, you’ll find the Nakamise Shopping Street and Heiwadori Shopping Street arcades. Trying different foods here as you walk along is great fun. Onsen manju (hot spring buns), Atami pudding, dried fish, and other delicacies await as you stroll through the arcades.

    Foto de 최광모 (CC0 1.0) modificada

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    Beautiful spots to visit in Atami

    Top sights to post on social media

    Beautiful spots to visit in Atami
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    Just a short trip from the pleasant retro atmosphere of downtown Atami, you’ll find yourself in a different world at ACAO FOREST. ACAO FOREST is a romantic floral theme park where roses and herbs bloom in 12 gardens. Photogenic facilities overlooking the blue ocean create plenty of photo opportunities, making it a great place to take stylish photos for your social media accounts. Once night falls, the lights are turned on and the park takes on a completely fresh look.

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    Atami's foodie options

    Enjoy the best flavours of each season

    Atami's foodie options
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    When it comes to Atami's local delicacies, there’s nothing quite like its fish cuisine. Ryoshiya Daijiromaru, located in Ajiro, is a popular restaurant where you can relish the freshest fish from the catch of the day. At Den-suke Chaya, a restaurant offering seafood dining, you can enjoy a delicious meal while looking out over Sagami Bay.

    Mistral, a French restaurant based in Atami Spa & Resort, uses local ingredients like kinmedai (red bream) and Shizuoka Wagyu beef and offers ocean views. Organic & Natural NINE is a nature-oriented Italian restaurant located in the Relax Resort Hotel. Here you can savour the freshness of vegetables delivered from contracted farmers.

    For a unique Atami dining experience, visit Kaiko Rakuzen Kamatsuru, which is operated by a dried fish store established in 1857. Selected dried fish from the main store will be grilled and served to you as soon as you place your order.

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    Shopping in Atami

    Atami's sweets are not to be missed

    Shopping in Atami
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    Sweets are the most popular souvenirs in Atami. Instagrammable sweets have been hugely popular in recent times. For example, check out the "Atami Pudding". This pudding comes in a lovely retro-style milk bottle and has a gentle, mellow flavour. Another sweet rapidly gaining in popularity is the "Atami Square Cream Puff". The square shape of the cream puffs, which look like dice, is pretty cute.

    When it comes to shopping in Atami, the area in front of JR Atami Station is a good place to begin. Walking along Atami Ekimae Heiwa-dori Shopping Street or Atami Ekimae Nakamise-dori Shopping Street is a great way to enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of Atami. The Laska Atami station building is another must-see. Directly connected to Atami Station, it's easy to get around and there's no need to worry about getting wet on a rainy day.

    Foto de Dquai (CC BY-SA 4.0) modificada

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    Nightlife in Atami

    Enjoy the trendy night vibes of Atami

    Nightlife in Atami
    • Vida nocturna

    Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Centre is a night spot full of Atami vibes. Here you can have a fun time with old-time activities such as shooting galleries and pinball. Music lovers can head to Jazz Club A, run by a pianist who lives in Atami.

    Reminisce over the good old days of Atami at Negroni, a bar located deep in an alleyway. Negroni's cocktails made with locally grown fruits are particularly popular. The Ebb Tide lounge bar of Atami Korakuen Hotel is located on the 18th floor, giving excellent night views of Atami. It's highly recommended for a romantic dating experience.

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    Activities to enjoy in Atami

    Fireworks, marine activities and more

    Activities to enjoy in Atami
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    There are plenty of ways to have fun in Atami throughout each of the 4 seasons. In early spring, the Atami Baien Ume Blossom Festival attracts visitors to Atami, where the earliest blooming plum trees in Japan brilliantly come into full bloom.

    The Atami Sea Fireworks Festival that lights up the night in Atami is held about 15 times a year. Fireworks rising from the sea can be viewed wherever you are in Atami, but the most stunning views can be had at Atami Sun Beach, Shinsui Koen Park, and Nagisasho Koen Park.

    Hatsushima Island, accessible by a 30-minute high-speed boat ride from Atami, is a resort spot that’s fun for all ages. You can enjoy the following activities in the clear air.

    • Diving
    • Snorkelling
    • Sea fishing
    • Field athletics
    • Walking
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    Access to Atami

    Convenient from both Tokyo and Nagoya/Osaka

    Access to Atami

    Atami is easily accessible not only from Tokyo, but also from Nagoya and Osaka.

    Travelling by Shinkansen from Tokyo to Atami takes about 35 minutes on the Hikari Super Express and about 50 minutes on the Kodama Super Express. The Acty Rapid Train takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

    From Nagoya to Atami, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by Hikari and about 2 hours by Kodama, and from Osaka, about 2 hours and 15 minutes by Hikari and about 3 hours and 10 minutes by Kodama.

    By car, from Tokyo, take the Tomei Expressway to the Atsugi IC, then take the Odawara-Atsugi Road Seisho Bypass, connect to Route 135 at the Ishibashi IC, and drive on Route 135. From Nagoya, take the Tomei Expressway from the Numazu IC to the Izu-Jukan Expressway, then take the Nekkan Road Bypass to Atami City.

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