Travel

Japan 2023 : Atami, Shizuoka

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After 2 nights at the most expensive hotel in our trip, it is time to to head to our least expensive hotel at Fuji City. Again, Mount Fuji was a no-show as we bade goodbye to the hotel. We made our way to Shizuoka Station with the free hotel van.

Morning has broken…… moody skies
Buffet breakfast has a nice spread .. quite ok. 7/10
Fuji-san still hiding .. demit. no view

At Shizuoka Station, we used our mouthful “JR Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini” to take a 1-hour train ride to Fuji City being Super Hotel JR Fujiekimae Kinenkan as our base for the next 4 nights. It was chosen because it is only 5mins walk from the station.

A very popular standing ramen on the platform at Fuji Station
Super Hotel JR Fujiekimae Kinenkan – friendly staff . small room but recommended!! 9/10

The JR Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini IMHO is super worth it if travelling around the Fuji Five Lakes to as far as Toyohashi/Hamamatsu. The downside is no shinkansen – so it is best to plan only short trips with a “base” inbetween (like us) or use it as a cheaper alternative to travel long distance between 2 towns. The frequency of trains are quite acceptable but the speed is not as fast obviously so need to plan around it.

After dropping our bags at the hotel, we headed to Atami – without prior planning on what to do there – just play by ear. Atami, known for being an onsen town, has a free public ashiyu (foot bath) for those tired feet. A stone throw away is a Atami Heiwadori Shotengai (shopping street) with an assortment of eating outlets.

The packed shotengai (shopping street)
The super popular Atami Maruten – cheese sticks with assorted toppings – octopus is recommended.

For those who plan to come Atami to walk, be prepared for alot of slopes and narrow roads as the town is built on a very hilly geographic landscape. Our destination was Atami Sun Beach nearby, so on the way, we just stopped by random shops that pique our interest for a look-see. We lingered inside a wonderful traditional japanese confectionary store (石舟庵 熱海店) to savour some of its delicious produce. Recommended.

Narrow n hilly streets of Atami
石舟庵 熱海店 japanese confectionary store – with construction view
The green-tea stuff are delicious – I really dunno what I’m eating

After the short rest, we stopped by a reli good coffee shop (affordable too) at Quarto caffe bar with friendly barista and just next door, La Doppietta provided a sweet escape with home-made ice cream. Both are recommended.

Chatty barista that knows abit of English at caffe bar Quarto, to the right is La Doppietta
La Doppietta ice cream – dem good!!! creamy n cold

As we were nearing the beach, the cold winds were freezing my ice-cream holding hand, I had a hard time finishing it ははは. The skies were “murky” and maybe just maybe made Atami Sun Beach scene quite drab. But honestly, there are much much better beaches in Japan. The buildings and boat docks did not exactly enhance its beauty either.

erm.. not much of a “sunny beach” vibe…
The drab colors did not deter visitors tho.
Lots of mooring boats and selfies

Overall, Atami feels like a mini town surrounding a body of water, with the buildings choking the tiny beach area. Maybe the town fits a different demographic or maybe we just need a few more days to feel the town – but it really was not for us. Between Atami and Numazu, we’d much prefer the latter.

Uphill walk back to the train station
Atami Station with free leg onsen (not seen, to the right of picture)
Ride home to rest

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