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About
Atami Beach in the summer
Atami (熱海) is a seaside resort town very close to Tokyo and mainly famous for it's onsens (hot springs). It's further than Nikko in distance but you can ride the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) directly to Atami in about 48 min. From the 1960s through the 1980s Atami was "The Place" to go for corporate business retreats, a quick little family vacation or an onsen trip. After the Japan bubble burst in the early 1990s and with so many other destinations (even international) becoming easily accessible to the Japanese, Atami has been working hard to adjust to the new economy and keep itself relevant. A couple great things about Atami are the fact that it is so close to Tokyo and that you may be able to find a really good hotel or ryokan deal. If your in Tokyo, only have a couple days and want to go somewhere quick and easy, Atami might be an option you might consider.
Short History: Atami has been known as an onsen resort since the 8th century. Famous people and government officials of those early eras would visit Atami from Edo (now Tokyo). The epicenter of the Great Kantou Earthquake was very near Atami under the island Izu Ooshima in Sagami Bay which is just a short distance from Atami. After WW2, the Japanese government declared Atami as a Tourism and Culture city. Then in 1964 Atami became a stop on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) and the place started to boom with large hotels and expensive ryokans. Atami boomed until the Japan Asset Price Bubble (starting in 1989) which caused a considerable decline in popularity. In the 1990s and early 2000s Atami was struggling greatly with many hotels and ryokans closing. However, since the late 2000s Atami has finally figured out it's position in the new economy and once again is slowly adjusting and attracting tourists and even lately has been becoming popular as a "living" area close to Tokyo.
Access
from Tokyo
- by Train
- Shinkansen - It's a direct shot from Tokyo to Atami and costs around 4,190 yen and takes only 48 min.
You will need to ride the "Kodoma" Shinkansen. The Kodama stops at all stations on the Shinkansen line. The Ltd. and Express Shinkansens do NOT stop in Atami. - JR Tokaido Line Ltd Express - It's a direct shot from Tokyo to Atami and costs around 1,940 yen and takes 1 hour 38 min.
This is the cheapest option if you don't have a JR Pass. Only takes about an hour and a half.
- Shinkansen - It's a direct shot from Tokyo to Atami and costs around 4,190 yen and takes only 48 min.
from Osaka
- by Train
- Shinkansen - It's a direct shot from Osaka to Atami and costs around 12,400 yen and takes 3 hours and 5 min.
Shinkansen Ltd. and Express Shinkansens do NOT stop in Atami so you can ride the "Kodama" Shinkansen (which stops at all stops) or ride a Hikari (Ltd. Express) to Odawara and then transfer to a Kodama to get back to Atama.
- Shinkansen - It's a direct shot from Osaka to Atami and costs around 12,400 yen and takes 3 hours and 5 min.
Hotels & Lodging
View all Hotels and Lodging in & nearby Atami
Area Map
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Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Atami. View all Attractions in Atami.
Atami Castle
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Cost: Adult: Castle only 900 yen., Castle + Trick Art Museum 1,500 yen | Age 7-18: Castle only 450 yen. Castle + Trick Art Museum 750 yen | Age 4-6: Castle only 300 yen. Castle + Trick Art Museum 500 yen | under 4: Free
Map: Google Map
Before you visit this attraction and think, "I'm going to see a real historical Japanese Castle!", note that Atami Castle is NOT a "real" historical castle. It was built in 1959 as a "Tourist Attraction". That being said, it can be an interesting destination... more details
Kinomiya Shrine
Hours: N/A
Closed: N/A
Admission Cost: N/A
Website: Homepage
Map: Google Map
Kinomiya Shrine (来宮神社) in Atami is popular destination for tourists and Japanese who visit Atami. The shrine is one of the oldest shrines on the Izu Peninsula (said to have been established in the late 700s) and offers guides and pamphlets in English. Kinomiya Shrine is the shrine where the Shinto "God of Luck" resides. One of the most popular aspects of the shrine is a 2000 year old Camphor tree and it is said that when you go around the 24m thick tree one time, your life is extended by one year.
MOA Museum of Art
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last entry at 4:00 p.m.)
Closed: Thursdays (except holidays)
Admission Cost: Adult 1,600, Student 1,000 yen
Website: Homepage
Map: Google Map
MOA Museum of Art (MOA美術館) in Atami was founded in 1982 from a private art collection owned by multimillionaire, religious leader and originator of "Organic Farming" Mokichi Okada (1882–1955). The MOA Museum of Art has a large collection of Japanese and East Asian art. There is also a Japanese style garden, a tea houses and a noh theater.
Atami Plum Garden
Hours: N/A
Closed: N/A
Admission Cost: N/A
Website: N/A
Map: Google Map
Atami Plum Garden (梅園公園) in Atami opened in 1886 and is a collection of 472 plum trees comprised of some 59 varieties. One of the trees is over 100 years old. The plum trees begin to blossom near the end of November and reach full near the end of January. During the blooming season the park is a favorite with photographers trying to get that perfect shot.
