Welcome to Japan!
Famous destinations are amazing, but have you ever thought about exploring places that are especially loved by locals and offer a more relaxed atmosphere?
In this post, one of Tokyo Oasis staff visited Atami, a popular hot spring town in Shizuoka, in March 2026. We hope this guide gives you some ideas for your next trip!
Atami ranked No.1 in a popular hot spring destination ranking in 2025, and it continues to attract a wide range of visitors—from seniors to younger travelers across Japan.
Located about 100 km from Tokyo, Atami is surprisingly easy to reach. By shinkansen (bullet train), you can get there in just around 40 minutes, with a one-way fare of about ¥4,500. It’s a bit more expensive than local trains, but still very reasonable, making Atami a great option for a day trip from the Tokyo area.
If you prefer to save money, taking a local train is also a good choice. The journey from Tokyo Station takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, which is still quite manageable. The fare is around ¥2,000 one way, so it’s a great option if you have more time and want to travel on a budget.
Although Atami is a coastal town, Atami Station is located on higher ground. This means exploring the area while carrying large luggage can be quite challenging.
Right in front of the station, you’ll find a shopping complex called ATAMIX, which has several luggage storage services. We recommend leaving your suitcases there so you can explore Atami more comfortably.
Depending on the size of your luggage, storage typically costs just a few hundred yen per item. Some services even offer delivery to your hotel, so you can choose the option that best suits your travel needs.
When you arrive at Atami Station, two shopping streets immediately catch your eye: the longer Heiwa-dori Shopping Street and the shorter Nakamise Shopping Street.
During the daytime on weekends and holidays, both streets are incredibly lively, with crowds of visitors and long lines at many of the shops. When we visited during the spring holiday season, the area was especially vibrant, filled with many young travelers and students.
One of Atami’s unique charms is the mix of experiences it offers—you can enjoy both trendy, photogenic sweets that appeal to younger visitors and classic local specialties from a traditional seaside hot spring town. Here are a few highlights to check out!
A newly opened taiyaki shop (since December 2025) offers a unique twist by focusing only on beautifully colored sakura and matcha flavors—something quite rare for a taiyaki specialty store.
Their signature item is a butter-filled taiyaki with an incredibly short best-eaten time of just 60 seconds. The combination of sweet red bean paste and melting butter is simply irresistible, making it a popular treat among visitors.
Atami Pudding is one of the most popular dessert spots in the area, often drawing long lines even before opening even on weekdays.
Served in cute retro-style glass bottles that evoke the charm of the Showa era, their puddings are made with simple, high-quality ingredients. It’s a treat you definitely don’t want to miss.
We also recommend their limited-edition “Fresh Cream Pudding,” available only in the morning. Made with a higher proportion of fresh cream, it has an extra rich texture—but a much shorter shelf life, making it a special item worth trying.
Maruten Isoten is a popular spot where you’ll often see long lines of 20–30 groups on weekends, with multiple staff members working efficiently to keep things moving.
They specialize in isoten (deep-fried fish paste snacks) mixed with a variety of ingredients. From favorites like the “Octopus Stick” and “Cheese Stick” to unique options such as ginger lotus root and potato with butter, there’s a wide range of flavors to enjoy.
I tried the Octopus Stick, packed with chunky pieces of octopus, and the ginger lotus root, which had a satisfying crunchy texture—both were absolutely delicious!
The combination of pickled ginger and deep-fried food is surprisingly good, and it’s something you don’t often come across outside of Japan. If you get the chance, it’s definitely one of our top recommendations—give it a try!
No visit to a hot spring town is complete without trying onsen manju—steamed buns traditionally made using the natural heat from hot spring steam.
Along Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, you’ll find several shops offering different styles, including skewered sets of three manju and versions wrapped in matcha-flavored dough. Most of them are available for around ¥200, so it’s easy to try a few and find your favorite!
As you stroll through the shopping streets, you’ll quickly notice rows of beautifully displayed himono (dried fish). These locally made specialties are packed with umami and make perfect souvenirs—even as a treat for yourself.
If you continue a bit further past the shopping area, you’ll also find spots where you can enjoy freshly grilled himono on the spot, sometimes paired with a casual standing bar experience. It’s a great opportunity to taste Atami’s local flavors right where they’re made—definitely worth checking out!
Atami is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring destinations. Located along the coastline, it offers a unique experience you won’t often find inland—relaxing in an onsen while enjoying beautiful ocean views.
Note: In many hot spring facilities in regional areas, including Atami, guests with tattoos may not be permitted. We strongly recommend checking the rules of each facility in advance before your visit.
In addition to open-air baths where you can soak while overlooking Atami’s coastline, the facility also offers a range of relaxing options such as löyly-style sauna sessions, hot stone spa treatments, and massages.
After enjoying the baths, you can unwind in various themed relaxation lounges designed to evoke different atmospheres, such as a “beach” setting or a “hilltop” retreat—perfect for taking it slow and recharging.
If you’re looking to enjoy a truly Japanese-style onsen experience, Yuyado Mikan no Ki is a great choice. Here, you can relax in classic baths such as hinoki (cypress) baths and stone baths, offering a traditional and calming atmosphere.
The day-use onsen fee is around ¥1,250, which is quite affordable for Atami. Another highlight is that you can enjoy natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source.
Note: Day-use onsen access may be unavailable during peak seasons, so it’s best to check in advance.
If you’re looking to enjoy a day-use onsen early in the morning or later in the evening, Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Atami is a great option.
While many ryokan in Atami may suspend day-use services during busy seasons, this facility is generally available year-round. Although the price is slightly higher, the flexibility and accessibility make it a convenient choice for travelers.
※Web page is only in Japanese
In Atami, several historic hot spring sources are collectively known as the “Atami Seven Hot Springs,” preserving the charm of a traditional onsen town.
At Ozawa no Yu, you can experience something unique—using the natural high-temperature steam from the hot spring to cook your own eggs and make fresh onsen tamago. It’s a fun and memorable way to connect with local culture during your visit.
Note: Please bring your own eggs, as they are not provided on-site.
While exploring Atami in search of local flavors, I came across an Italian restaurant called PIZZERIA CENTO. Their pizzas already looked promising, as they use handmade dough (limited to 100 per day) baked in a traditional pizza oven.
What makes this place truly special is their creative menu, featuring ingredients you don’t usually see in Italian cuisine—such as whitebait, dried mackerel, sakura shrimp, and sea lettuce (aosa)—all combined into unique and flavorful pizzas.
In the stylish and modern interior, I ordered the dried mackerel and aosa seaweed pizza, which came with a side of plum sauce to adjust the flavor to your liking. The rich, fatty mackerel paired perfectly with the fresh ocean aroma of the seaweed and the mildness of mozzarella cheese. It was an unusual combination, but incredibly delicious.
We also tried a locally limited beer, Shizuoka Bakushu, which had a smooth and mellow taste—definitely worth pairing with your meal!
Here, you can choose one main dish featuring fresh local seafood, along with access to a buffet of around 15 varieties of obanzai (traditional Japanese side dishes).
In addition to Atami’s famous grilled dried fish, you can select from a wide range of seafood options such as sashimi, simmered fish, grilled mackerel, and fried horse mackerel. There are also a few non-seafood options available, making it accessible for everyone.
Here’s what our first plate looked like! Centered around Atami’s signature fatty dried horse mackerel, it was a hearty yet healthy breakfast—and honestly, our top recommendation from this entire trip.
This restaurant is also popular for lunch and dinner, and it’s part of a group that operates several locations in the Atami area under the name Osakana Shokudo. Each branch has its own concept—such as seafood rice bowls or all-you-can-eat sashimi—so they’re definitely worth checking out as well！
Atami has so much more to offer beyond what we’ve introduced here, including:
- Shizuoka’s famous Japanese green tea
- Atami Castle
- Visiting local morning markets
- A ferry trip to Hatsushima, the closest island to the Tokyo area
- Seasonal fireworks festivals
- The beautiful plum garden in full bloom around February
…and so much more!
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or a refreshing break from the city, Atami is a perfect destination to unwind and recharge.
We hope this guide helps inspire your next trip. See you in the next post!
