Atami

Atami is a coastal hot spring resort in Shizuoka prefecture, on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula southwest of Tokyo, Japan. Atami means "hot ocean". The town has been a popular hot spring resort since the 8th century and is ranked as one of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs (Sandaionsen). These days the coastline is heavily developed and covered in "identikit" concrete hotels, but in summer the sandy beach is popular.

You can reach Atami from one of Tokyo's two airports. From Narita Airport, take the Narita Express train to Tokyo, then transfer to either a Shinkansen Kodama train or a Tokaido Line local train. It is 2 hours via shinkansen connection (¥7510) and 3 hours via local connection (¥5120). From Haneda Airport, take a Keihin Kyuko line train to Shinagawa for connection to the shinkansen (1 1/4 hours, ¥4680) or Tokaido local (2 hours, ¥2290).

Atami's city center is fairly compact, but buses connect the train station to the MOA Museum of Art (bus no.4) and several other points of interest. There is an Y800 tourist bus that links the main attractions including the Atami Castle. It's called the Yu-Yu bus.

The train station Tourist Information seemed to be conveniently out of English information of any description. There is however a great Tourist Info on the sea front, between the main Atami Sun Beach and the Marine Spa Atami.