atami.熱海

when the weather in tokyo is too cold, i run to "hot sea" , well that is the literal kanji translation of atami (熱海), located at izu hanto, an absolute weekend paradise for tokyoites.  i couldn't find any ryokan or hotel reservation for this weekend, but i woke up in the morning still decided to make my way to hot sea atami.

and on the way to atami, mount fuji (富士山) decided to show his face to welcome me. that was a very pleasant and surprise welcome.  the last trip i took shinkansen from tokyo-kyoto-tokyo two years ago, fuji-san just decided to hide himself then.

up close and personal welcome and big hug from mr fuji

 it was very cold, icy cold in tokyo city, but a quick 45 min shinkansen ride, i am at the comfortable seaside.  a lot warmer and comfortable to walk in the sun.  i took things slowly, hopped on to a circular bus that costs 800 yen for the day.  i visited a few places, from atami baien (熱海梅園) to MOA museum of arts (MOA美術館), atami castle to kiunkoku (起雲閣) and from kiunkoku i walk toward the sea and take the slow stroll along the atami promenade, accompanied by calm pacific sea and walk up hill to atami train station.

again i am having bottleneck in sorting out my photos, so for now i am just sharing a few photos of atami beach front so that you got an idea of the place.

 

at the top as i looking down to the promenade, i really feel that i was at cote d' azur, the french riviera. and it is not wrong to say that atami is the japan riveria and onsen paradise.  i totally understand why all accommodations are sold out on weekends, especially the cold weekend like this.

atami castle at the top of the hill

at the promenade, i look up to atami castle at the top, she is waving at me, oh no... i just don't want to leave yet

atami beach front

i walk rather slowly along the promenade, love the mild sunset and deserted beach.  it's quite and i almost have the whole area for myself and as look to the left where all the hotels and ryokans are located i know why the beach is deserted as everybody is soaking in the rotenburo onsen (outdoor hot spring) somewhere up there and enjoying the view.  i wish i could be one of them but no... i am not staying... i am going home.

moon terrace

supposedly the romantic spot when the moon is lite and the lights are on, should be very enchanting at night.

half way through the promenade, i have to hike up hill, i mean really like 80 degree up hill to the atami train station where i will catch my shinkansen home.

taking this photo while soaking my foot at the foot onsen just outside the station.  the consolation at least.  i think i will come back again to atami.  now that i know this place a little more, i know where i want to stay for a night at least.

more stories on atami to follow in the coming week.

it's sunday again.  time to get ready for another busy week.

have a blessed week!