Atami

Day Trips

Feel the gentle sea breeze as you arrive in Atami, dropping your bags at your ryokan before heading to the sun-kissed Atami Sun Beach. The soft white sands glisten under the morning sun, inviting you to stroll along the shoreline. Local fishermen cast their nets nearby, adding a touch of authenticity to your first taste of coastal Japan.

Lunchtime finds you at a beachfront café serving freshly caught sashimi bowls topped with shiso and sea urchin. Afterward, rent a paddleboard or take a leisurely swim in the crystalline waters, watching seabirds dive for fish. The rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore provides a soothing backdrop to your seaside adventure.

As dusk falls, savor an outdoor onsen with panoramic views of Sagami Bay, steam rising into the violet sky. Your multi-course kaiseki dinner arrives with locally sourced ingredients, each dish artfully presented on lacquerware. Candlelit lanterns line the promenade, guiding your moonlit stroll back to the ryokan.

Take the steep railroad up Mt. Omuro and feel the crisp mountain air on your skin as the volcano’s crater unfolds in a lush green circle. The panoramic view stretches across the Izu Peninsula to Mt. Fuji on clear days, inspiring awe in every breath. Wildflowers and grasses sway in the light breeze, creating a living mosaic beneath your feet.

Descend to Izu Shaboten Park, where cacti and succulent species from around the world thrive under glass domes. Wander through whimsical grounds filled with desert flora and free-roaming capybaras lazily lounging in the irrigation pools. Stop by the café for a cactus-flavored soft serve, its subtle tang cooling you under the midday sun.

Return to Atami for a sunset cruise around the bay, the boat gently rocking as golden rays dance on the water’s surface. Savor yakitori skewers and ice-cold beer on deck while the seaside lights begin to twinkle. The gentle clip-clop of the boat’s hull against the dock marks the end of a day filled with nature and novelty.

Start the day at the MOA Museum of Art, wandering through its airy galleries bathed in natural light. Admire Hokusai’s woodblock prints, ancient tea ceremony artifacts, and Edo-period paintings, each piece whispering tales of Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Outside, the rooftop terrace offers sweeping views of Atami’s terraced gardens and the sparkling sea beyond.

Meander to Atami Castle, perched atop a hill with stone fortifications evoking feudal-era Japan. Inside the main tower, interactive exhibits let you try on samurai helmets and peer through arrow slits. After exploring, relax in the castle’s moat-side café, sipping matcha-flavored parfaits while watching koi fish swirl.

Head to the castle’s observation deck at dusk, where lantern-lit streets unfold below like a delicate paper lantern. The silhouette of Mt. Fuji on the horizon adds a poetic finale to your day. Return by rickshaw through narrow alleyways, the rickshaw’s bell tinkling with each turn.

Walk the mossy stone path to Kinomiya Shrine, where an ancient ginkgo tree offers shade and tranquility. The fragrance of cedar wood mingles with incense as you wash your hands and offer a prayer for good fortune. Local worshipers adorned in traditional garb move quietly through the torii gates, deepening the sense of reverence.

Follow the winding bamboo forest trail beyond the shrine, sunlight filtering through tall stalks in a kaleidoscope of green. Pause by a crystal-clear stream to dip your fingers into the cool water, listening to the rustle of bamboo leaves overhead. A hidden tea house awaits at the trail’s end, serving steaming hoji-cha and sesame sweets.

Return to town for a street food dinner along Atami Ginza, sampling takoyaki, yakisoba, and sweet potato tempura. Neon signs flicker overhead as laughter and chatter fill the air. Cap off the night at a local jazz bar, where smooth saxophone melodies swirl with the scent of freshly brewed espresso.

Begin with an onsen foot bath at Wafu-no-Yu, feeling warm mineral waters surge around your feet and ankles. Steam rises from natural vents nearby, carrying a faint sulfuric aroma that hints at Atami’s geothermal heart. A chorus of birdsong punctuates the soothing hisses of the onsen.

Join a hands-on cooking class in a traditional kitchen, learning to prepare local delicacies like kinmedai nitsuke and fresh uni pasta. The instructor guides you through cutting techniques as you listen to the rhythmic chopping of knives on cedar boards. Relish your creations accompanied by crisp, locally brewed sake.

Explore the Steamy Street (Yunoshima Onsen Road), lined with bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. Take in the glowing lanterns and savor street snacks like onsen manju, their sweet bean paste center warm and fragrant. The whisper of escaping steam and distant laughter completes the evening’s sensory tapestry.

Rent a convertible or motorcycle and cruise along the Ocean View Drive towards Ito, the wind tousling your hair as turquoise waves crash against rugged cliffs. Stop at scenic overlooks to dip your toes into tide pools teeming with starfish and hermit crabs. The sun glitters on the water, urging you to pause and capture the moment.

Arrive at Jogasaki Coast and hike the dramatic cliffside trail, crossing the iconic suspension bridge that sways gently with each footfall. Seabirds wheel overhead, their cries echoing across the churning sea. Midway, settle on a rocky outcrop for a picnic of onigiri and grilled mackerel, the salty spray kissing your cheeks.

Drive back to Atami under a sky painted in pastel pinks and purples, the sea’s horizon shifting hues with the sunset. Enjoy a waterfront dinner at a seafood izakaya, sampling amaebi sashimi served on crushed ice. Foam from nearby waves laps softly at the shore, lulling you into evening tranquility.

Board a local train for the scenic 30-minute journey to Shuzenji, its vintage carriages rolling through bamboo groves and rice paddies. Upon arrival, follow lantern-lit stone lanes to the famous Shuzenji Onsen, where wooden tubs brim with steaming therapeutic water. The scent of hinoki wood fills the air as you unwind in the private rotenburo.

Stroll through Shuzenji’s historic town center, stopping at quaint teahouses to sample matcha rice cakes and yuzu sorbet. Venture to the nearby kojiya (soy sauce brewery) for a guided tasting of handcrafted tamari and miso. Cobblestone streets lined with mom-and-pop shops evoke a timeless ambiance.

Return to Atami on a twilight train, the rhythmic clickety-clack echoing under a canopy of stars. Tonight’s dinner features charcoal-grilled wagyu served with a side of local wasabi, its heat sharpening each bite. Sip plum wine by the waterfront as fishing boats bob gently in the harbor.

Head inland to the Amagi Mountains and tour a traditional wasabi farm, the water channels murmuring as they carve through verdant terraces. Crush fresh wasabi root with a sharkskin grater, inhaling its sharp, sinus-clearing aroma. The cool mountain air carries the scent of damp earth and pine.

Explore neighboring mountain villages, where thatched-roof farmhouses cluster along narrow paths lined with sakura trees. Sample farm-to-table lunches served in rustic wooden halls, featuring tempura of seasonal vegetables and river fish caught that morning. Elderly locals share folklore about yōkai spirits said to roam the forest at dusk.

Descend back to the coast, arriving just in time for a twilight dip in your ryokan’s stone-lined onsen. Multicolored lanterns illuminate the gardens, reflecting off the mineral-rich water. A gentle drizzle adds a fresh, earthy scent to the night air.

Begin with a formal Japanese tea ceremony in a garden pavilion, where a tea master moves with graceful precision. Feel the warmth of a whisked matcha bowl as you lift it to your lips, the slightly bitter flavor harmonizing with a sweet wagashi. Sliding paper doors reveal a view of raked gravel and sculpted pines outside.

Participate in a hands-on ikebana flower-arranging workshop, selecting seasonal blooms to create your own artistic display. The subtle fragrance of camellias and plum blossoms blends with the quiet hum of attentive participants. Afterward, visit a lacquerware studio to observe artisans layering gold dust into intricate designs.

Dine on a multi-course kaiseki menu that highlights the changing seasons with small dishes like bamboo shoot rice and sakura shrimp tempura. The delicate clink of porcelain and soft chatter of guests fill the tatami room. Conclude the night with a leisurely koto performance, its ethereal strings resonating through the hushed hall.

Spend your final morning lingering in a private onsen bath framed by shoji screens and pine trees, steam drifting in the gentle dawn light. Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast of grilled fish, miso soup, and pickled vegetables served in lacquered bowls. Soft sunlight filters through washi paper, casting a warm glow over your serene surroundings.

Stroll the nearby pine tree promenade, its needles whispering underfoot as you gather souvenirs at quaint storefronts. Savor a final bowl of dango drizzled with sweet soy glaze alongside a matcha latte at a hip café. The sea breeze carries the scent of salt and brine, a sensory reminder of your journey’s start.

For your farewell dinner, board a small cruise ship that glides along Sagami Bay under a canopy of stars. Sake flows freely as you feast on fresh sashimi, tempura, and seasonal hot pot served from on-board chefs. The gentle rocking of the ship and the glittering shoreline lights bid you a poignant goodbye to Atami.