Atami is a small onsen resort only 48 min. from Tokyo on Shinkansen trains. It is one of the oldest spa resorts in Japan and historically it has been an attractive retreat for celebrities. But it has rustic charms to offer, too. If you are tired of traveling in big cities, why don’t you visit Atami and spend a day or two and find spots off the unbeaten path.
Check out what we are going to do.
Feel free to personalize this offer.
Atami Station (flexible)
Kiunkaku in Atami (flexible)
You can get a rough idea about central Atami in a half-day walk tour. By visiting a shinto shine in a serene atmosphere, the very central hot spring of Atami spa, a small but charming geisha theater and a classical luxury villa (turned into a tourist spot), you can tell that Atami was an elegant hideaway where cultured people from Tokyo loved.
I offer a sample itinerary, which can be varied and adjusted depending on your physical condition, preference, season, weather and availability (most places are closed at least one day of a week). If you get tired and you don not mind bearing additional costs, of course, we can use a taxi any time, because it is not an endurance contest or physical training!
Sample Itinerary (Sat. & Sun)
9:00 Meet at Atami Station
9:06 Take a local train from Atami
9:08 Arrive at Kinomiya Station
9:20 Visit Kinomiya Shrine
10:10 Ohyu Geyser & Yuzen Shrine
10:30 Geigi Kemban
11:00 Dance Show and photo session with geisha
11:50 Kiunkaku
1:00 PM End of Tour
Guide fee
Hotel pick-up in Atami
Weekly COVID-19 testing of the guide
Transportation fare for you and the guide (train ¥150 or bus ¥230 from Atami to Kinomiya Station)
Geisha show ticket: ¥1500 (Sat. & Sun)
Kiunkaku admission fees: ¥610 for adults
Atami Baien Park admission fees: ¥300 in Jan-Mar
Sawada Seiko Memorial Museum: ¥380 for adults in Apr-Dec
Lunch (Time for lunch is not accounted for in the sample itinerary. Please discuss with the guide if you would like to include lunch in the tour.)
Transportation cost for the guide may be necessary in case you would like a hotel-pick-up.
Atami is a hilly town. The tour is designed to walk down the hills as much as possible (To this end, we plan to take a train or a bus to the first destination.), but in some places participants may need to negotiate steps and uphills. Please wear comfortable shoes.
When the weather is rough, I am happy to propose an alternative plan, probably using public transportations.
My wife and I and our friends were on a Viking cruise and stopped at the port of Shimizu. Fortunately for us the cruise ship was staying overnight in Shimizu and we were able to book an eight hour tour. Fumie met us at the cruise port at 9 AM. Fumie had arranged for a private car and driver for the four of us to visit a tea plantation, have a delicious lunch in a "farm to table" restaurant, go to the World Heritage site and museum of Mt. Fuji, visit the waterfalls by Mt. Fuji and taste sake at a sake factory. It was a busy day but because we were a small group we did a lot. Fumie is truly a professional. She offered us options on things to do in and around Mt. Fuji. Her English and her personality are excellent and she gave us insights into the people of Japan. She respected our physical abilities as senior citizens and planned a pace accordingly. I highly recommend Fumie as a tour guide.
Thank you, Roger-san, for the great words on me. It was a pleasure serving your team and I hope you will come back in the future. Wishing you the best, Fumie
Our journey to Hakone was a great one. We had 13 people in our troop with kids, seniors, adults etc. She managed the group very well, helped all of us stay on time and made sure that we covered all things that were discussed when the booking was made. The original ropeway was closed for volcanic activity and she was very efficient in changing our itenary so that we could still do an alternate ropeway and enjoy the same things that we had originally planned for. I will totally recommend anyone to appoint Fumie as their guide. Thanks again Fumie.
Thank you, Deepa-san, for letting me help your extended-family trip. I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as to make you want to come back to Japan sometime in the future. I hope you and your big family will be happy and prosperous as ever.
Fumie planned a most delightful day for our group of 10. She went to great lengths before and during our tour to ensure there was something for everyone. We exchanged several messages and she integrated all of the info i gave her about the ages and personalities of our group members into an inpeccably planned customized experience. She even took on connecting us with charter bus company. I cant sufficiently express our gratitude - the day was perfect.
Hi Paul-san. Thank you so much for very quick and good review. You were a fantastic leader of your team. Mt. Fuji even smiled to you despite rainy/cloudy weather forecast. I wish every one of you good luck during the rest of your trip and life ahead!
3 senior couples had an amazing day with Fumie while our ship was in Shimizu. We had the perfect view of Mt. Fuji from Lake Tanuki. We were amazed at the beauty of Shiraito no Taki Waterfalls and Otodome no Taki Waterfalls. Fumie guided us through the Sengentaisha Shrine and our final destination was the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center. Fumie is very charming, proud of her county, speaks excellent English and knows the perfect angles for the perfect photographs. Thanks Fumie for a great day.
Thank you, Claudia-san, for taking your time to write such a superb comment on me. You have a great family and friends! I wish continued good health and happiness to you all!