Prior to living in Japan, I didn’t know or hear about the town, Atami. Atami is an ocean-side town in the Izu Peninsula. Known for the onsens, Atami Pudding, and stunning views, Atami is a great day trip or overnight escape from Tokyo. Luckily, our family friends own a place in Atami so I tagged along with my family and enjoyed this cute lil town for a weekend!
Day 0.5:
I took a late night train from Tokyo after work to Atami. If you’re looking for a budget way, you can catch the local JR line from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station for less than 2,000 yen! When I arrived, my parents met me at the station, we walked to the apartment, and I enjoyed a night with family and friends.
Day 1:
If you’re traveling to Atami for a day trip, you should probably stay in the city and explore the streets and eat the great food there. Right as you walk out of the station there are souvineer shops, and a shopping street lined with restaurants, onsen manju, and other foods to fill your stomach. You can’t miss the fishcake store!!
That morning, we woke up, ate breakfast, and headed down to Atami Station. From there, we bought a bus pass and made our way to Jukkoku Pass. We were blessed with clear, sunny weather. At the bottom of the hill, you can visit the gift shop and snack on food like korokke (croquette), fries, cremia ice cream, etc. After arriving, catch the cable car up the hill to go to the lookout. If you want to see Mt. Fuji from Atami, this is definitely one of the spots. The area is huge with a dog park located at the top of the cable car.
Day 2:
The next day, we got a late start to the day and I dragged my family to see the Coeda House. The bus is fairly easy to catch (just remember to have coins as they don’t accept suica or passmo cards). Coeda House is a cute cafe located on the cliffs of Atami. After getting off the bus, we got a little lost. So look for the Akao Rose Garden signs and walk up the hill to the entrance. You have to pay to get in about 1,000 yen per person, but includes one drink at the cafe. Unfortunately you need to enter the garden in order to go to the cafe which we found out about on the spot. From there, they bus you up all the way onto the top of the hill. You’re greeted with beautiful views of the ocean and cliffs. During full bloom, I imagine the flowers would be stunning against the backdrop.
Coeda House itself is a work of art! The building is made of glass and wood. I tried their rose juice and cheese tart. But you can also enjoy fruit tea, coffee, or soda. Take your time, and enjoy your drink on their terrace where you can soak in the views of the sea. It’s definitely worth a visit if you have time in Atami! The buses are a bit infrequent, so you should time your journey or catch a taxi back to town. From there, we ate a bit more, and headed back to Tokyo!
P.S. Don’t miss the famous Atami Pudding!!! My mom is crazy about this stuff. My favorite flavor has been the coffee one, but they have all kinds of flavors including chocolate, matcha, strawberry, & original.
Costs:
JR Train Tokyo -> Atami - 2,000 yen one way
1-Day Atami Bus Pass - 700 yen (?)
Akao Rose Garden - 1,000 yen
Lodging - Free
Total - 4,000 yen (around $35 USD)