Nowadays, Atami has become a popular tourist spot not only for its hot springs but also for young people. Previously, Atami had the image of a hot spring town with a retro Showa feel. However, now they are successfully changing their appearance by targeting young people. This time, we will introduce in detail Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, not only hot springs but also a popular tourist spot crowded with young people.
①What is Atami, a hot spring area that is becoming popular again?
Atami is a hot spring town located in Atami City, the easternmost part of Shizuoka Prefecture. Atami has a resort-like atmosphere and is also called the Naples of the East'' andMonaco of the East” due to the similar topography and townscapes. It also has a sister city relationship with Sanremo in northern Italy.
Because the area faces Sagami Bay, there are many marinas where you can moor yachts and boats.
Atami has a great location and all the night view spots are beautiful and recommended. The coast and roads are well-maintained to ensure a comfortable visit for tourists.
➁History of Atami.
Here we will introduce the history of Atami in detail.
❶Popular destination for honeymoons and group tours.
Atami was originally a famous tourist destination in Japan. Tourism peaked during the period of high economic growth, when Atami was a popular tourist destination for honeymoons and group tours, and was visited by more than 5 million people a year. Its last peak year was 1991, with 4.4 million visitors per year.
❷Atami is in big crisis after the bubble burst and the Great East Japan Earthquake!
With the bursting of the bubble economy, tourism in Atami was hit hard. Since around 2000, large abandoned hotels have been in the news every day, giving Atami the image of an old-fashioned, outdated tourist destination that young people don’t want to go to. In fact, since the year after the bubble burst, the number of tourists in Atami has continued to decline year by year. The biggest decline was in 2011, the year the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, when the number of visitors dropped to 2.46 million.
❸In a big turnaround, the number of tourists is now increasing by successfully capturing the younger demographic‼︎
After the bubble economy and the Great East Japan Earthquake, Atami became a desolate tourist destination that bore no resemblance to the vibrant Atami it once was. However, things changed after that. The reason is that Atami’s young tourism operators have shifted their marketing focus to a younger demographic. In fiscal 2015, the number of overnight guests will reach 3.08 million, returning to the 3 million level for the first time in 14 years since 2001.
➂Atami tourist attractions.
Here we will introduce you to Atami’s tourist spots in detail.
❶Atami Castle.
Atami Castle is not an original historical castle, but a new castle built in 1964 for tourist purposes. Atami Castle has a trick art museum where you can enjoy trick art. And you can see the night view from the parking lot. It is now said to be one of Atami’s scenic spots, and the night view is said to be the best in Atami.
❷Atami Sun Beach.
At night, the night view you look up at is rare and beautiful. Atami Sun Beach is a 400-meter long sandy beach located in Atami City’s Higashi-Kashi Town. The sandy beach is well-managed, the waves are calm, and there is no trash, making it a perfect beach. In the summer, a beach athletics area approximately 40 meters square is set up a little offshore.
❸Moon Terrace Sky Deck.
Moon Terrace is a terrace located within a water park. There are beautiful monuments where lovers swear their love to each other. The Sky Deck is a walking course inside a water park inspired by the Cote d’Azur in Southern Europe. At night, the breakwater is lit up in a moody manner, and in the morning, a beautiful sunrise rises above it. The sky deck overlooks the yacht harbour.
❹Heiwa Dori shopping street in front of Atami Station.
Heiwa Dori Shopping Street in front of Atami Station is a shopping street that can be reached in 10 seconds on foot from JR Atami Station. Once you enter the back alley, you’ll find a line of bars filled with a deep, nostalgic atmosphere that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into the Showa era. Atami pudding is famous.
❺Atami power spot [Kinomiya Shrine]
Kinomiya Shrine is Atami’s biggest power spot, famous for good health, longevity and fulfillment of wishes. There is a large camphor tree that is over 2000 years old and is one of the largest sacred trees in Honshu.
④Festivals and events in Atami.
Atami’s biggest event is the fireworks festival, which has been going on since 1952.
It is held more than 10 times a year. As it is a famous fireworks display, the water park and Atami Sun Beach are crowded with around 10,000 people in the summer to watch. In addition, in recent years, Atami Sun Beach Water Park has opened at Atami Sun Beach, with a beach athletic area approximately 40 meters square and attracting families.
⑤Access information
Here you will find detailed information about access to Atami. The address of Atami Sun Beach is “Higashi-cho-cho Jisaki, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture”.
〇Route from Tokyo to Atami City by car.
| Tokyo IC ⇒ Atsugi IC ⇒ Ishibashi IC ⇒ Atami City |
If you visit Atami using this route, you will arrive in about 90 minutes by car. 〇Things to keep in mind when traveling to Atami by car. During the summer season, the roads along the coast of Atami are expected to be quite crowded as there are no detours. Be especially careful around holidays.
Summary
This time, we introduced Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, not only hot springs but also a popular tourist spot crowded with young people. Atami’s latest recommendation is “Atami pudding.” It comes in a milk bottle modeled after the retro Showa era, and has a thick, smooth texture that gives it a nostalgic taste. Recently, fashionable spots that tickle the hearts of young women are opening one after another. When you visit Shizuoka Prefecture, why not stop by Atami?
▲Atami is famous as a hill town. I think you can enjoy just strolling through the unknown streets of Atami.
▲Atami Sun Beach
▲Atami’s official website.
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