Exploring Shizuoka with International Students Part 4
Sightseeing in “Atami”, a Famous Hot Spring Town

Shizuoka offers a wide range of sightseeing attractions, thanks to its expansive east-west geography and rich natural beauty. Today, we visited Atami, located in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture, with Widya Medianto, an international student from Shizuoka Eiwa Gakuin University. Atami has a long history as a hot spring town. It is highly accessible, with a Shinkansen ride from Tokyo taking less than an hour. This convenience attracts visitors from across the country throughout the year.

At the public area of Atami Station, we found a foot bath that uses Atami’s natural hot spring water. It’s a perfect spot to sit back on a bench and enjoy a relaxing foot spa experience.
Widdy: “This is my first time trying a foot bath. It’s really nice and warm!”

After enjoying the foot bath, we headed to Atami Ekimae Shopping Street. Under the arcade, the street is bustling with a variety of establishments, including restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The delicious-looking foods displayed in front of the shops are sure to excite anyone walking by.

We discovered a shop selling freshly steamed Onsen Manju at the shopping center. Onsen Manju are traditional Japanese steamed buns, especially popular at hot spring resorts. Their name originates from the traditional method of steaming them using hot spring steam. We enjoyed adorable Onsen Manju featuring illustrations of Atsuo, the official mascot of Atami Hot Springs.

Widdy: “They are so fresh and warm! Inside, I found sweet red bean paste. It’s so nice and sweet.”

Next, we headed to Atami Ginza Shopping District, a charming area lined with a variety of shops. Here, you can find traditional souvenir stores, retro-style coffee shops, trendy eateries offering street sweets, and stylish cafés. The street features a delightful mix of long-established businesses and newly opened shops, making it a perfect spot to explore and enjoy the local atmosphere.

Widdy says she’s a matcha lover, so there was no way she could resist trying matcha ice cream.
Widdy: “It’s so good! I’m a matcha freak, and every time I go to a café, I can’t help but order matcha drinks. I’m so happy to find so many shops here in Shizuoka that offer delicious green tea drinks and matcha sweets!”

Atami Sun Beach is just around the corner from Atami Ginza Shopping District, offering a stunning beach landscape beneath the clear blue sky. With its palm trees and hotels nestled in the mountains overlooking the ocean, you might feel like you're on a tropical resort island.
Widdy: “I’ve visited Atami once before, but unfortunately, it was raining that day. Today’s sunny weather is so nice! In my hometown, West Sumatra, Indonesia, we had a beach just a 10-minute walk from my home. I loved spending time there with my friends, relaxing and walking along the shore. Atami is wonderful because it has both mountains and the ocean—it’s such a perfect combination.”

Hot springs, delicious food, mountains, and beaches—Atami offers a variety of attractions all within walking distance. Thank you so much, Widdy, for joining us today!