Atami

Atami offers a wide variety of experiences: At Atami Plum Garden, plum trees fill a city park on sloping hills, while Kiunkaku centers on a historic building and a Japanese garden. At Atami Onsen, there are several indoor and outdoor baths; the harbor also has a fishing facility. When planning your trip, the first question is what kind of experience appeals to you most: nature, culture, hot springs, or fishing.

Plum Trees at Atami Plum Garden

Atami Plum Garden is a 4.4-hectare city park in the gently rising hills west of the built-up city area. The grounds are home to 469 plum trees representing 60 varieties. This diversity gives the park a clear botanical focus: if you want to see different varieties of plum trees, you’ll find more than a single garden feature here. The park’s size and hillside location shape the setting for your visit.

The garden was established in 1886. Its variety of plants is thus combined with a place whose origins date back to the 19th century. Unlike Kiunkaku’s historic buildings or the baths at Atami Onsen, the park itself is the main attraction here. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Atami, the garden may be a key reason to visit if nature and plum trees are a priority during your stay.

Kiunkaku: Villa, Inn, and Japanese Garden

Kiunkaku adds architecture and history to the natural attractions. It was built as a villa in 1919 and converted into an inn in 1947. Visitors can tour a historic building and a Japanese garden dating from the Taishō and Shōwa eras. The building and garden are designated as tangible cultural properties of the city of Atami.

Kiunkaku’s history is marked by two distinct phases of use: it began as a villa and later became an inn. For anyone wishing to include cultural history in their trip, this offers a different focus from a visit to the plum garden. The building and Japanese garden are also part of the same visitor attraction. This makes Kiunkaku a clear choice for travelers interested in historic architecture and gardens.

Hot Springs Near Atami Station

At Atami Onsen, there are several indoor and outdoor baths near Atami Station. These include Ieyasu no Yu, a footbath in front of the station. The different types of baths offer several ways to enjoy the hot springs: an indoor bath, an outdoor bath, and a footbath. If you’re especially interested in onsen during your trip, this may be a reason to add Atami to your shortlist. The station is a clear landmark for the footbath; the other baths are described as being near the station.

Fishing at Atami Bay

The fishing facility at Atami Harbor uses a 260-meter-long, 14-meter-wide breakwater. This distinction matters if fishing is one of your travel interests: the designated fishing area is on the inner side, while the other side is off-limits. Rental fishing rods and bait are sold at the facility.

For families and other travelers visiting together, these different types of experiences may influence the decision to visit Atami. When choosing a vacation rental, first consider which experience matters most for your trip and whether you want to focus on one kind of outing or combine different interests.

More Places

Other places in this selection: Numazu, Shimoda, Kannami, Hamamatsu, Ito, Omaezaki, Inatori Higashiizu, and Mishima.

Back to the broader travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.