- Atami was once a private retreat for the Tokugawa shogunate, who famously had hot spring water transported from the city to Edo castle.
- The city is built on a series of volcanic slopes, leading to a unique urban layout where many buildings are constructed on steep inclines to maximize sea views.
- During the early 20th century, Atami became a favored destination for high-profile Japanese novelists who rented local inns for long-term residencies to write in seclusion.
- The city's name literally translates to 'hot sea,' a reference to an ancient legend describing hot water bubbling up from the ocean floor.
About Atami
Atami is a prominent coastal hot spring resort situated on the Izu Peninsula, renowned for its steep topography overlooking Sagami Bay. The city sits on the caldera of an ancient volcano, fueling its historic geothermal activity represented by the traditional Atami seven hot springs Kosawa no Yu. Visitors often explore the hillside exhibits at the MOA Museum of Art or traverse the scenic slopes of ACAO FOREST. Atami serves as a major gateway to the Izu region, combining maritime scenery with therapeutic thermal waters.
Highlights of Atami
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
This museum holds an extensive collection of East Asian fine art within a building designed with expansive glass walls offering panoramic ocean views.
Places of interest
Built as a concrete reconstruction on a mountain ridge, the structure offers a distinct viewpoint of the entire bay area.
Parks
This park is home to hundreds of plum trees that bloom significantly earlier than the cherry blossoms, starting as early as January.
Parks
A vast hillside botanical garden that features themed floral zones overlooking the Pacific coast.
Places of interest
Accessible via ropeway, this spot provides a 360-degree vista that includes Mount Fuji on clear days.
Historical places
This site features a continuously flowing geyser that has been recorded in Japanese historical documents for centuries.
Places of interest
This vibrant district near the station serves as the hub for sampling local dried seafood and regional steamed bun specialties.
Places of interest
Visitors can experience one of the historic thermal sources that have defined the city's status as a major spa destination since the Edo period.
Top things to do in Atami
The 77 highest-rated places in Atami, ranked by travellers.
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Museums
The MOA Museum of Art is located on a hilltop in Atami, Shizuoka, offering panoramic views of Sagami Bay. Established by...
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Places of interest
Atami Castle is a concrete, multi-story viewing facility perched on the summit of Mount Nishikigaura. Unlike authentic h...
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Parks
Atami Plum Garden is renowned for hosting Japan's earliest-blooming plum trees, typically beginning their display as ear...
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Temples
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Atami on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Atami
Spring for the cherry blossoms or autumn for the mild coastal temperatures.
2 days, allowing for a mix of hillside excursions and coastal relaxation.
The city is highly hilly, making the local bus network the primary mode of transport, supported by taxis and walking in the flatter station areas.
Stay near Atami Station for convenient rail access and proximity to the shopping district, or along the coastal cliffside for dedicated resort hotels with private hot spring facilities.
Mid-range; while luxury ryokan experiences can be expensive, the city offers a variety of public facilities and accessible dining options.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 77 curated attractions in and around Atami, ranked by traveller ratings.
MOA Museum of Art is the highest-rated place to visit in Atami right now.
The largest category is temples, with 23 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toshima, Osaka, Kyoto.
Explore more of Japan
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
