Ikebana Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Atami is a beloved seaside resort just 45 minutes from Tokyo. Renowned for its relaxing spas, charming architecture, and rich geisha culture, Atami offers not only a peaceful retreat but also a taste of the best of Japan. Here’s how to spend two days there. While many travelers take a spontaneous, "we'll figure it out when we're there" approach to Atami, a package tour can greatly enhance the experience. For example, this all-inclusive tour from Sunrise Tours JTB offers exclusive, fully guided access to some of Atami's top attractions -- as well as a private geisha performance. Priced at for Atami departure, and for Tokyo departure, it's not cheap -- but it offers excellent value for money: if you tried to do all of it on your own, it would easily cost more. If you're in the market for a high-end Japan tour, this is the one to book. Here's what to expect on the tour, with a breakdown of how much it would cost DIY. If you plan to go your own way, you can always create your own itinerary, using some of these ideas as inspiration. How to get to Atami You can reach Atami in just over 40 minutes on the Kodama bullet train from Tokyo Station. A one-way ticket costs , making the Shinkansen the easiest way to travel. Alternatively, there is a budget, slower route that costs . This involves taking the JR Tōkaidō Line -- which takes nearly two hours. Traveling around Atami Driving is by far the easiest way to get around Atami. A chauffeur is included in the tour package, and will pick you up from the station. They will then drive you to each spot -- saving money, stress and time. If you're doing your own thing, you can walk and use local buses to get to several of the sightseeing spots in Atami. However, distances can be significant, and the bus departures are not that frequent, which can make traveling between places a hassle. This may prevent you from seeing as much as you would like. Lunch at Fufu Atami Prior to exploring the charms of the area, we recommend indulging in freshly caught seafood at Fufu Atami. Although part of a hotel resort, the restaurant welcomes everyone to savor its local dishes. With its contemporary interior and scenic views of the surrounding forest, dining here is a tranquil experience. Fufu Atami offers a seasonal seafood lunch set for per person, served omakase style. Drinks range from to , but they are included as part of the tour. The lunch set As of the time of writing, the lunch set includes three courses. When we dined at Fufu, we were treated to a beautifully plated starter of fried white-meat mehikari fish, accompanied by eggplant and ginger, along with a pork side. Before serving the main course, chirashizushi (rice topped with a variety of sashimi), the chefs add the finishing touches right before your eyes. What makes their dish special is its surprising presentation: at first glance, it appears to be a typical noriben (bento topped with seaweed), but when the wooden box is turned upside down, the sashimi hidden "underneath" is revealed. The chefs will explain the different types of sashimi they've used, and how chirashizushi is prepared. The dish is delectable, featuring sliced salmon, minced tuna, shrimp, and whitebait, among other flavors -- the exact combination varies by season. The final course is a generous scoop of creamy, homemade vanilla ice cream. Velvet smooth and rich in flavor, it provides the perfect finale to this exquisite lunch. The meal is best enjoyed with something from the drink menu, whether it be a crisp plum wine or one of the sophisticated non-alcoholic options. Kinomiya Shrine Kinomiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine with a long history of bringing good luck and fortune to those who visit. Established in 710, it is dedicated to three kami: Itakeru no Mikoto, god of trees and nature conservation; Oonamuchi no Mikoto, god of business prosperity and strength; and Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, god of bravery and determination. The shrine has come to be known for protecting the local people of Atami and travelers. These days, it is also popular with young people hoping to be lucky in love. See Japan's second largest tree One of the shrine's most prominent features is its sacred camphor tree, known as Okusu. Standing at a height of 26 meters, with a trunk circumference of 24 meters, it is the second largest tree in Japan -- and the biggest on Honshu (the record-holder is on Yakushima). It is easy to see why this beautiful 2,100-year-old tree is classified as a natural monument. This remarkable being has survived various natural disasters, becoming a symbol of eternal youth and longevity. It is believed that if you walk around the tree once, your life will be extended by one year. Additionally, if you make a wish to yourself while walking around, it is believed that it will come true. While breathtaking during the day, the tree truly shines at night when it is illuminated by 160 lights -- each of which represent the spirits living in the trees. Another aspect that sets Kinomiya Shrine apart is its contemporary vibe and its considered adaptation to modern society. On the grounds, you’ll find a variety of coffee shops, including one that serves traditional wagashi and offers guests a free nature lounge for relaxation. In addition, there’s a wooden deck next to the grand tree where you can sit, charge your phone, and embrace your surroundings. There’s even a selfie stand where you can take a photo with the big tree for your Instagram. Private prayers On the tour, you have the opportunity to take part in a private Shinto ceremony known as kigansai, where you can pray for your heart's desires to be fulfilled. A Shinto priest recites a liturgy to ensure your wishes have been heard, and a sacred dance also takes place. When the ceremony ends, you receive sacred sake to sip, and a personal ofuda (a sacred talisman) to keep. You can attend the ceremony even if you’re not of the Shinto faith. While participation alone is possible for an offering fee of , having a guide to translate the Japanese explanations is helpful. Some of the wishes you may express include good health, luck in love, achieving personal goals, and safe travels. Please note that kigansai is a highly sacred ceremony, so appropriate attire is required. Jukkokutoge Cable Car Next, it's time to admire one of Japan's most iconic landmarks: Mount Fuji. The Jukkokutoge Cable Car takes you up to the Jukkokutoge summit, which is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. A round trip costs for adults and for children. The cable car runs every 15 minutes. At the top, you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views that include parts of Yamanashi Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, and even Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture. On a clear day, you can catch a great look at Mt. Fuji. There are many places to sit and chill, and take in the unobstructed views. Inside the summit station, there is a trendy little café where you can buy a latte and some top-notch churros. This cable car is quite far from Atami Station. Although you can take a local bus to the base, the uphill journey lasts 40 minutes. Driving there, as you’ll be doing during the tour, is much easier and only takes about 25 minutes. Atami Castle If it rains, a solid alternative to the cable car is Atami Castle. Perched on a small mountaintop 100 meters above sea level, it is one of Japan's newer castles. While it resembles a traditional castle, it was actually built in 1959 as a tourist attraction. Inside, there is an exhibition showcasing the history of other castles in Japan. However, the main highlight for most visitors is the breathtaking views of Sagami Bay. Unexpectedly, there is even an ashiyu (foot bath) on the first floor. The castle is especially popular in the spring, when over 200 cherry blossom trees are in full bloom below. Entrance is for adults, for junior-high and high-school students and for 3 to 6 year olds. Kiunkaku Kiunkaku is one of Atami's most famous historical landmarks. Originally built as a villa in 1919, it operated as a ryokan from 1947 to 1999. Nowadays, it is owned by Atami City and listed as a cultural property. Kiunkaku is renowned for its distinctive architecture. Normally, the entry fee to the grounds is . However, if you are part of the tour, you will enjoy exclusive access and a private guided visit after regular opening hours. The main building features a distinctly Japanese exterior, while its interior draws inspiration from European and Chinese esthetics, resulting in a one-of-a-kind structure. Highlights include the Western-style room "Tamahime", which incorporates European design elements alongside Chinese-style carvings, and "Gyokkei", a room featuring Tudor-style architecture with shrine-like details. The Roman Bathroom is another notable feature. You'll get to stroll through the Japanese garden, which is beautifully illuminated just for the tour, to check out "Kujaku", a Japanese-style building tucked away at the edge of the grounds. From here, you can sit and enjoy moon watching, experiencing a sense of what life might have been like back in the day. Watch a private geisha performance In the 1950s, when it operated as a ryokan, roughly 1,000 geisha performed at Kiunkaku. Despite Kyoto's reputation as the center of geisha culture, the artistic atmosphere of Atami attracts many geisha even today. As part of the special tour, you will have the rare chance to see a private geisha performance. Locally known as geigi, these practicing geisha perform dances to traditional folk songs. Their performance is complemented by live shamisen music and singing. Once the approximately 20-minute show concludes, tour guests are invited to take photos with the geisha. The geisha performance makes the tour particularly special. For context, in Tokyo and Kyoto, many private geisha performances start around . Before the performance begins, a welcome service awaits, where you can indulge in traditional wagashi inspired by Atami. The carefully curated menu features three distinct flavors: sweet, salty, and sour. When we visited, there was gluten-free sweet potato-flavored manju (sweet bun), a salty cheese fish-shaped cookie, and a refreshingly sour fruit jelly made from Atami daidai fruit. No service would be complete without tea, with sweet green tea and bitter hojicha being the drinks of choice. Spend the night at Pearl Star Hotel Atami After a busy day, it’s time to unwind. Despite being relatively new, Pearl Star Hotel Atami has secured its place as one of the most luxurious places to stay in Atami. Situated right on the seafront, this resort-style hotel provides an unparalleled experience. The hotel has wonderful facilities, the most notable of which has to be the private onsen in your room. Overlooking the seafront, the bath provides a serene experience that embodies the essence of Japanese tradition. If one hot bath wasn't enough, the tenth-floor infinity pool provides even more spectacular views of the shore, the city, and a distant Atami Castle on the hill. Don't miss the chance to wake up for sunrise and watch the sky change colors from the balcony. The Deluxe Ocean View Rooms -- which are part of the tour package -- vary in style but are all lavish. They perfectly blend contemporary interiors with traditional Japanese elements, utilizing (in some cases) tatami, warm Japanese wood, and shoji (sliding panels with a wooden frame and translucent rice paper). Each room is well-equipped with an array of amenities for maximum comfort and relaxation. These include a free minibar (yes, you read that right), Nespresso machine, nightwear, bathrobes, and skincare sets. One night here won’t feel like enough. If you're booking on your own, expect to pay upwards of for your stay. Dining The hotel features a range of restaurants and bars where you can savor the seasonal flavors and ingredients from the Izu Peninsula. As part of the special two-day tour package, you are welcomed to an exclusive dining experience at the hotel's Japanese restaurant, Miyoshi -- and a curated seasonal menu awaits. Served in traditional kaiseki style, the menu includes eight different dishes. When we dined there, the menu primarily featured seafood, along with some wagyu. Here’s a glimpse of some of the offerings: Appetizer: Kinki fish with plum and raw sea urchin Starter: Persimmon bowl with mashed tofu salad Soup: Soup with tilefish, turnip and grated kombu Sashimi: Five kinds of sashimi with seasonal garnishes Warm dish: Lightly dried conger eel and Kyoto Kujo green onion Main dish: Fried mushrooms, fried taro, and roasted black Wagyu Rice dish: Salmon rice with salmon roe Dessert: Pear with mascarpone raisin cream Sake tasting menu As if that wasn't enough, tour guests also receive a premium sake-tasting menu, exclusively available to them. You'll indulge in seven carefully selected sakes, all unique to Shizuoka. Each one perfectly complements the dish it’s served with, some being stronger than others. The menu concludes with an umeshu (plum wine), which is ideal for pairing with a sweet dessert. It is worth mentioning that such gourmet dining experiences and sake-tasting sessions can easily cost around . Enjoying both together on this tour not only offers significant savings, but also provides true luxury. Breakfast Breakfast is buffet style. Featuring a mix of Japanese, Western, and Chinese-style dishes, there is enough variety to keep you feeling full for the morning. Among our favorite choices were the freshly baked pastries, cakes, DIY pancakes, local seafood, and pasta. You can also order eggs prepared in a variety of styles. For drinks, there is everything from freshly squeezed orange juice to brewed coffee. For more details of this serene stay, check out our full review of Pearl Star Hotel Atami. Hyuga Family Atami Villa (Kyu-Hyuga-Bettei) The former Hyuga Family Atami Villa, known as Kyu-Hyuga-Bettei, is one of Atami's most famous cultural properties. It is also the only building in Japan to have been -- at least partially, anyway -- designed by the legendary architect Bruno Taut. The villa stands out for its intriguing blend of Western and Japanese interiors, and Taut's innovative methods to achieve this harmony. Experts will guide you through the two-story building, bringing your attention to easily overlooked, yet remarkable, details. One of these 90-minute tours costs for adults and for high-school students. A reservation must be made in advance to visit. Originally built for businessman Rihei Hyuga , the main building was designed by Watanabe Jin, with the basement interior crafted by Bruno Taut. The villa is on a steep slope, and overlooks the bay. Each area offers stunning sea views and vibrant interiors Ikebana class Ikebana (flower arranging) is one of Japan's most important spiritual practices. It allows you to slow down, connect with the natural world, and find beauty in everyday things. This class reflects the rich cultural heritage of Japan, allowing you to learn the art of arranging a single flower. Although you may be wondering how exactly you do that, there is much wisdom that goes into it. To begin with, your instructor will explain the slow, intentional process of selecting the right flower and vase. Then, you will learn how to arrange it according to your feelings. Any flower buds you cut off will be used to create a smaller display, highlighting the importance of appreciating every part of the flower. Although you cannot take the arrangement home, there is something beautiful about just taking a moment to capture its beauty. Following this peaceful experience, you will have the opportunity to tour the Tozanso villa, your classroom. This is a classified cultural property built in 1933 for Ishii Kengo, the former president of Daiichi Bank. It later became home for art pieces that inspired Meishu, the villa’s founder, to create the MOA Museum of Art. From the second floor of this modern Japanese-style villa, you can enjoy incredible views of Sagami Bay. Guided tour around MOA Museum After seeing where the creator of the MOA Museum of Art stored some of his paintings, it's time to head to the actual museum. What makes this art museum so famous is not only its incredible collection of Japanese artwork, but also its modern architecture. Situated on a hill, the museum offers elevated views of Sagami Bay, roughly 260 meters below. During spring, many visitors come to see the unique sight of pink cherry blossom trees against the backdrop of the blue sea. Although many people browse the permanent exhibitions on their own, a personal guided tour adds extra dimensions to the experience. After greeting the museum staff, you will ascend the famous seven illuminated escalators -- where many Japanese music videos have been filmed. Following this, you'll witness a mesmerizing kaleidoscope illumination on the walls. The permanent exhibition The museum curator will personally guide you through the permanent exhibition, offering a unique opportunity for in-depth insights and exclusive knowledge about the artwork. Inside, you'll admire Japan's most renowned paintings by artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige, as well as national treasures such as a tea-leaf jar from the Edo period and the stunning Red and White Plum Blossoms folding screens. Each piece is meticulously preserved and rotated every few months. One of the standout displays is the replica of The Golden Tea Room, created by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the second Great Unifier of Japan. The original tea room was lost to time, but this replica is quite faithful, having utilized written accounts from the time to reimagine it. Tea ceremony Following your visit to The Golden Tea Room, you can experience your own tea ceremony, albeit in a slightly more modest venue. This ceremony costs and takes place in a reconstructed version of artist Ogata Korin's residence, recognized as an important cultural property. A skilled tea master will guide you through the property, which is built in sukiya style. You will learn about the key design features of the Japanese tea house, and how wealthy guests enjoyed tea in the past. As the tea ceremony begins, you can sample some wagashi, specifically yokan -- a traditional Japanese sweet made from red-bean paste and decorated with gold leaf. The tea master then demonstrates how to prepare fresh, organic matcha using the appropriate tools and techniques, ensuring an authentic flavor. After enjoying the tea and participating in the rituals, you'll have the opportunity to prepare your own matcha. La Pâtisserie du musée par Toshi Yoroizuka There are several dining options at the MOA Museum, with the most popular being La Pâtisserie du Musée par Toshi Yoroizuka. Overlooking the Japanese garden, this café is led by three-star Michelin Chef Patissier Toshihiko Yoroizuka and specializes in cakes. The menu also features light meals like quiche and croque monsieur. If you’re part of the tour group, you will receive a specially designed set menu. Heading back to Tokyo If you're on this two-day tour, you'll leave Atami around 4:30 p.m. and return to Tokyo Station by 5:15 p.m. You won’t have to worry about navigating back to the station, as your private transfer will take you there hassle-free. Atami FAQs Can you see Mt. Fuji from Atami? Yes, you can see Mt. Fuji from the Jukkokutoge Cable Car on a clear day. It is more likely to be visible in the morning than afternoon. How many days to spend in Atami? We strongly encourage you to stay at least one night in Atami, as it gives you enough time to properly explore this place that embodies the charm of Japan through its calming atmosphere and cultural spots. While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.

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