Atami is renowned as one of Japan’s finest onsen resorts. Legend has it that Tokugawa Ieyasu once visited for the healing hot springs and even had the gentle, restorative water transported all the way to Edo Castle (modern-day Tokyo). Conveniently located just 40 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train), Atami comes alive with visitors, especially on weekends. The famous Atami Fireworks Festival is held regularly throughout the year, set against the natural basin formed by surrounding mountains. This unique geography causes the fireworks’ explosions to echo dramatically throughout the town, culminating in a spectacular finale known as the “Niagara Falls in the Sky.”

Atami is a city that grew alongside its rich tradition of toji [hot spring cures]. The city is dotted with historical sites that reflect its deep connection to onsen culture. One such highlight is the "Atami Nanayu" or "Seven Hot Springs of Atami," where natural hot spring water still visibly gushes from the ground. While these are not full bathing facilities, Atami offers many opportunities for day-trip bathing, including nostalgic public bathhouses that preserve the charm of the Meiji era, complete with fully tiled interiors.The city boasts a wide variety of restaurants, with very few chains. Locally owned establishments compete daily to serve the best dishes and hospitality. Dining with a view of the ocean is one of the unique pleasures only Atami can offer.

"The Atami Heiwadori Shopping Arcade" is one of the places to be visited on a trip to Atami, located right beside the JR Atami Station building. There are numbers of stores starting with souvenir shops with onsen buns and other specialties from Atami, Izu and Shizuoka, as well as local food restaurants. The arcade is often showcased in Japanese TV programs and magazines attracting many visitors to Atami. Take a walk along the shopping arcade basking in the mood of a Japanese Onsen [hot springs] Town. Before leaving Atami, take a moment to feel with your hand the "Fukufuku-no-yu" hand onsen [hot springs], created by the locals with the warmth of the Atami Onsen for the memory.

Nature is felt throughout the year in Atami. In January, enjoy the earliest plum blossoms and Atami cherry trees in Japan. Atami cherry trees are sharing the title of the earliest cherry blossoms with the scarlet sakura of Okinawa. In May, azaleas, roses, and jacaranda, and bougainvillea flowers are exploding with color in June. In late fall, when leaves change colors, enjoy the sight of vividly colored trees along the seashore, by the river and tucked away in alleys throughout the city. During the same period, the beautiful pale pink flowers of rare "Himalayan Cherry Blossoms" can also be contemplated.