Researched guide · Checked on Oct 20, 2026
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Atami is a seaside hot spring town on Sagami Bay, about 50 minutes from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen. With more than 500 hot spring sources, it is one of the best-known onsen resorts near Tokyo. On a day trip you can soak your feet for free by the station, walk the old shopping streets, see a 2,100-year-old sacred tree, and, in season, catch fireworks over the bay or the latest autumn leaves in Japan.
Quick answer
Getting there: about 50 minutes from Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama), about 1 hour 20 minutes on the Odoriko limited express, or about 1 hour 50 minutes on the regular JR Tokaido Line.
Free footbath: “Ieyasu no Yu”, 1 minute from Atami Station.
This autumn: Atami Baien Momiji Festival, November 14 – December 6, 2026.
Hot springs in Atami
Atami has more than 500 hot spring sources, and its water is known for feeling smooth on the skin. The town’s name is said to come from “atsu-umi” (hot sea), because hot water once gushed into the sea here and heated it. If it is your first onsen, read our onsen etiquette guide before you go.
- Ieyasu no Yu footbath: a free, free-flowing footbath right in front of Atami Station, built in 2004 to mark 400 years since Tokugawa Ieyasu’s visit. A towel costs ¥100 from the vending machine.
- Staying overnight: Atami has many onsen hotels, so you can also turn the day trip into a relaxed one-night stay.
Things to do
- Station shopping streets: Heiwa-dori and Nakamise, in front of the station, have shops that have been running for 60 or 70 years, dried fish stores, sushi, cafes and fresh onsen manju (steamed buns).
- Kinomiya Shrine: its sacred camphor tree is said to be more than 2,100 years old, with a trunk 24 meters around, and is a national natural monument. Legend says walking around it once adds a year to your life. It is lit up at night.
- Atami Baien: a garden opened in 1886 with 469 plum trees of 60 varieties and about 380 maples. It is said to have Japan’s earliest plum blossoms and latest autumn leaves.
- Atami Sun Beach: one of the town’s classic sights, by the hotels along the bay.
- Hatsushima Island: about 30 minutes by high-speed boat from Atami Port, with outdoor activities and seafood.
- Jukkoku Pass: a lookout with a 360-degree view of Mount Fuji, Suruga Bay and Sagami Bay. The cable car will be replaced by a new “slope car” from summer 2027.
Seasonal events
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| Atami Baien Momiji Festival (autumn leaves, light-up, footbath) | November 14 – December 6, 2026. Leaves usually color from late November into December |
| Mikan (mandarin orange) picking | October to December. At Nishijima Farm, entry with all-you-can-eat is ¥500 (age 3+) from October 1 to early December 2026 |
| Atami Baien Plum Festival | Early January to early March (2026: January 10 – March 8) |
| Atami Marine Fireworks | More than 10 times a year, not only in summer. The bay is surrounded by hills on three sides, so the sound echoes like in a stadium |
- On fireworks nights, the area near the launch site is closed from noon, and Atami Station gets very crowded afterward.
- Check the official Atami tourism site for this year’s fireworks dates.
How to get there
| Route | Time |
|---|---|
| Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama), Tokyo → Atami | About 50 min |
| Odoriko limited express, Tokyo → Atami | About 1 hr 20 min |
| JR Tokaido Line, Tokyo → Atami | About 1 hr 50 min |
- The Tokaido Shinkansen and JR lines are covered by the Japan Rail Pass (Kodama and Hikari trains).
- For another onsen day trip from Tokyo, see our Hakone guide.
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FAQ
How long does it take from Tokyo to Atami?
About 50 minutes on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama) from Tokyo Station, or about 1 hour 50 minutes on the regular JR Tokaido Line.
Is there a free footbath in Atami?
Yes. Ieyasu no Yu, in front of Atami Station, is free. Towels cost ¥100.
When are the autumn leaves in Atami?
Atami Baien’s maples usually color from late November into December. The 2026 Momiji Festival runs from November 14 to December 6.
How often are the Atami fireworks?
More than 10 times a year, in several seasons. Check the official site for dates.
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Sources
Hot springs, sights, events, prices and access come from the official Atami City Tourism Association website (checked October 20, 2026). Event dates and prices change, so please check before you go.
