ATAMI CASTLE

Established in 1952, the spectacular Atami Seaside Fireworks Festival is a long-running event which is held on Atami Bay more than 10 times each year, not just in summer. Atami Bay is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the sound of the fireworks echoes around them, like a huge sports stadium.
The flowers of light exploding in the night sky, reflected in the waters of the bay, and the “aerial Niagara” of the finale are so beautiful you may forget to blink!

Kinomiya Shrine is dedicated to Kinomiya Daimyojin, a deity of good luck and happiness, and local people have worshipped here since ancient times. The giant camphor tree (O-Kusu) , more than 2,000 years old, that towers over the shrine is more than 2,000 years old and is designated as a natural monument, and is also venerated. Why not offer up a prayer to the camphor tree and connect to eternity?

Atami Plum Garden is famous for having the earliest-blossoming plum trees (ume) in Japan, and for its late-turning autumn leaves. With a total of 472 plum trees of 59 different varieties, including many that are over 100 years old, and around 380 trees whose foliage turns red in autumn, it is a beautiful sight all year round.

Centring on oriental paintings, calligraphy and handicraft, the museum has a collection of some 3,500 pieces, including three national treasures and 65 important cultural properties. It is situated in grounds measuring over 230,000 square metres overlooking Atami, and the main lobby offers a panoramic view of the bay, including the islands of Hatsushima and Izu Ohshima.

Himenosawa Park has been named one of Japan’s 100 best urban parks, and covers over a million square metres on a hillside. With more than 800 different species of plants and trees, there is something to see all year round, including cherry blossom and azaleas in spring, hydrangeas and water lilies in summer, the red leaves of the Japanese maples in autumn, and camellias in winter.

Hatsushima is the closest inhabited island to Tokyo. Thanks to a mild climate, it has colourful flowers in blossom all year round, and offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages. Time seems to pass more slowly on Hatsushima, and far from the noise of the city, with a variety of restaurants run by the island’s fishermen and a wide range of accommodation, including villas, it’s the perfect island getaway.