Atami, Coastal resort town in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Atami is a coastal town in Shizuoka Prefecture that sits along Sagami Bay on volcanic slopes. The streets wind through forested hills and lead to viewpoints overlooking the sea and neighboring islands.
Hot springs drew travelers here as early as the 8th century, when Japanese nobility came to bathe. The modern town was formally founded in 1937 after railway connections opened it to a broader flow of visitors.
Visitors can see elaborate bathing houses with carved wooden interiors and tiled pools that locals use daily. The town still honors its hot spring heritage through public footbaths along the streets and ornamental steam vents that rise from the ground in parks and plazas.
Shinkansen trains reach the town multiple times per hour from Tokyo and take around 50 minutes. Steep streets lead to most attractions, so comfortable footwear is helpful for walking through the hillside neighborhoods.
Firework displays take place year-round and are launched from boats in the bay while the coastline is lit up. The tradition goes back several decades and draws locals as well as visitors to regular evening shows.
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