Atami Sun Beach in Shizuoka 熱海サンビーチ
Looking for a beach get-away near Yokohama? Ready for a day of sand and sun in Tohoku? Looking for a place to spend the day in Wakayama? How about swimming in Shikoku?
The islands of Japan offer many beaches to choose from but having so many choices can be overwhelming! This is the second post in a series where we provide beach suggestions from KA Moms!
Atami Sun Beach in Shizuoka 熱海サンビーチ
Atami Sun Beach is a man-made sandy beach behind a breakwater with easy train access from Tokyo Station. The beach has sand trucked in from Shirahama in Izu so the quality of the sand is good even if the beach is crowded. The town of Atami is perched on a hillside above the beach. When you arrive by train it is a 10 minute downhill walk to reach the water. The hike back up the hill at the end of the day can get tiring but there are bus and taxi options for the return trip.
Since the beach is sheltered it does not have the large waves of other Pacific coast beaches, making it an ideal place for children to swim.
Our family has made a few trips to Atami mainly for the beach but also to enjoy some of the other wonderful sights in the area. Here is a plan for an overnight trip.
Day 111:00 Leave Tokyo Stn. on SuperView Odoriko
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12:18 Arrive in Atami
Soak feet in the ashiyu (foot bath) at the station
Walk to the beach through the shopping and historic areas of Atami, stop for kakigori (shaved ice) and to watch street performers along the way
3:00 Check-in at Atami Seaside Hotel
3:30 Hit the Beach!
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5:00 Lifeguards of off duty – time to dry off and go out for supper
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6:00 Walk along the beach to the south for supper at the Jonathan’s (there are more local options around as well)
Day 2
6:00 Pre-breakfast swim
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Back to beach
11:00 Check-out
*Atami Seaside has lockers and showers for use after checkout if you aren’t going home until later
12:00 Lunch and sightseeing via Yu-Yu Bus
17:23 Leave on Tokaido Line Rapid Acty
19:09 Arrive in Tokyo
Train Options:
Tokaido Shinkansen – Travel time about 50 minutes, Cost around 4,000-5,000 depending on seat and season.
Limited Express Super View Odoriko – Travel time about 80 minutes, Cost around 4,000 yen depending on seat and season (Car 10 has kid’s room and small baby changing/nursing room)
Limited Express Odoriko – Travel time about 80 minutes, Cost around 3,000-5,000 depending on seat
Tokaido Line Rapid Acty 快速アクティー – Travel time about 90 minutes, Cost around 2,000-2,700 depending on seat
When planning a trip please check exact train times, check-in, breakfast, check-out etc. These times are shared just to give you a general idea of a plan.
A few pointers:
☆ Some of the Tokaido trains leave from areas other than Tokyo Stn. such Shinjuku, Ikubukuro and Omiya.
☆ We love to get eki-ben (lunch boxes sold at the station) to enjoy on longer train rides. It is part of the culture that should not be missed! Tokyo Station offers a wide variety in eki-ben. Atami has more limited choices around the station. Ekiben generally should not be eaten on “local” trains so if you take Acty get a Green Car seat if you are planning to enjoy a meal on the train. (http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-culture/all-about-ekiben-japanese-train-station-bentos)
☆ Many hotels will provide pick-up/drop off at local train stations. Be sure to ask ahead of time if you would like to use this service.
☆ You can bring your own beach gear or rent a limited number of things from the hotels across from the beach. We bring our own things.
☆ Atami features many great historical sites including the castle on the hill, onsens and a rose garden.
☆ Atami is known for the seaside fireworks displays. If you want a hotel room with a view you need to book early. If your place doesn’t have a view most likely you will receive a front row seat in the area reserved for people who are spending the night in town.
☆ The Yu~Yu~ Bus 湯〜遊〜バス is a great way to get around the area when sightseeing. With a one-day “free pass” you can get on/off the bus as many times as you’d like. The bus does go on some winding roads so those who get car sick easily should plan to visit many of the stops.
☆ A trip to Atami can be combined with a trip to Odawara, Hakone, Hatsushima or Izu.
Area Links:
JNTO site for Atami/Ito
About Houdini
Traveling has always been a part of life for Houdini whether through books, tales from friends or family vacations. As her kids grow she enjoys the adventures that come with traveling with children and exploring places within a few hours travel of Tokyo. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain
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This is a nice beach, but what makes it great is the summer fireworks. 🙂 Atami sunbeach had firework displays on the 21st of July and again last night. But don’t worry if you missed them, there are more coming up in August and one in September. The fireworks can be seen from Sunbeach to the port.
August dates: 5th, 17th, 20th and 29th. There is more information here: https://www.facebook.com/japantravelwithkids (includes parking details, phone numbers, times etc)