Atami Onsen Guide | Day Trips to Foot Baths, Public Bathhouses, and How to Enjoy Day-Use Hot Springs

In Atami Onsen, travelers can enjoy four types of baths: foot baths, public baths, day-use onsen, and hotel baths. The most convenient option is the free foot bath in front of Atami Station. For a relaxing soak with an ocean view, the day-use onsen "Ocean Spa Fuua," about 10 minutes by free shuttle from the station, is recommended.

This article first introduces what Atami Onsen is like and the types of onsen available. Next, it explains the onsen accessible from the station and the bathing rules, and finally, it compares Atami with Ito, offers advice for those with tattoos, and suggests ways to enjoy staying overnight.

Atami is a well-known onsen (hot spring) destination facing Sagami Bay. The mountains rise immediately behind the sea, and hot springs are found across a wide area from the coast to the hills. Due to its proximity to the sea, many of the springs contain salt, and the high temperature of the sources means that many baths are quite hot.

In the early Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu visited for therapeutic bathing, and it is said that Atami's hot water was later transported to Edo Castle. The footbath in front of the station is called "Ieyasu's Bath" for this reason.

The origin of Atami's onsen (hot spring) is known as "Hashiriyu," where hot water springs from a seaside cave. However, Hashiriyu is a place to view the source, not for bathing. For more details, see the Hashiriyu article. This article covers onsen where you can actually bathe.

Travelers can easily choose from four types of onsen (hot springs) in Atami. For a casual experience with clothes on, try a foot bath. For local ambiance, visit a public bath. For facilities and views, opt for a day-use onsen. If you want to enjoy both night and morning baths, choose a bath at your accommodation. Prices are per adult.

Here are three places near Atami Station, listed from most convenient to least. The footbath is just a few steps from the station, the public bath is about a 2-minute walk, and the Fuua day-use onsen (hot spring) is about 10 minutes away by free shuttle.

Right outside Atami Station's ticket gate, there is a footbath in the station square. It's free, and you can soak just your feet while keeping your clothes on. It's available from 9:00 to 16:00. There's a vending machine for footbath towels next to it, so don't worry if you forget to bring one. It's welcoming for those with tattoos and families with children.

This small public bath, located about a 2-minute walk from Atami Station, is frequented by locals. It features "gensen kakenagashi," where the natural hot spring water flows continuously, and the salty water is quite hot. The bath is small and the facilities are simple and traditional, making it suitable for those who want to experience a local sento or take a quick dip.

The fee is 500 yen for adults (junior high school and above), 200 yen for elementary school students, and 100 yen for preschool children. It operates from 14:00 to 21:00, closed on Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays. Bring your own soap, shampoo, and towel, and prepare cash for payment. As the water is hot, limit your time in the bath to a few minutes. Note that people with tattoos are not allowed.

This is a day-use onsen (hot spring) located within the seaside resort "Atami Bay Resort Korakuen." The highlight is the standing open-air bath with a panoramic view of Sagami Bay. You can spend half a day relaxing with amenities like a stone sauna, lounge, and cafe. The official website offers an English page where you can read about fees and important information in English.

• Official Website (English): Ocean Spa Fuua
• Access: From Atami Station, take the free shuttle bus from the rotary on the right after exiting the ticket gate. It takes about 10 minutes and runs approximately every 30 minutes during the day. Outside these hours, use a local bus or taxi.
• Hours: 10:00–22:00 (last entry at 21:00). No reservation is needed.
• Fees: Adults Weekdays ¥3,080, Weekends/Holidays ¥3,410 (as of November 2026), plus a bathing tax of ¥150.
• Included in the Fee: Towels and indoor wear. You can visit empty-handed.
• Payment: Besides cash, credit cards, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are accepted. Payments within the facility are made with a wristband and settled upon departure.

There are two important points to note. People with tattoos cannot enter (even if covered with stickers). Also, children under three are not allowed, and those in elementary school or younger cannot use the open-air bath or stone sauna. Families with small children or those with tattoos should consider the private baths introduced later for peace of mind.

Detailed instructions are summarized in the Onsen Etiquette Guide and How to Use Towels in an Onsen.

Directions to Atami are explained in How to Get to Atami from Tokyo.

At day-use onsen (hot springs) and public baths, those with tattoos are often refused entry. Both the Atami Station Onsen Bathhouse and Fuua mentioned above do not allow people with tattoos (the footbath at the station can be used). If you want guaranteed entry, choose a private bath that you can reserve for a set time or an accommodation with an onsen in the room. The same applies if you want to enjoy the bath with family or as a couple.

Reasons for refusal, methods to conceal with stickers, and how to check before visiting are explained in detail in the Onsen Guide for Those with Tattoos. Tips on choosing accommodations are covered in How to Choose Ryokan and Hotels in Atami.

Day-use onsen (hot springs) close in the evening or at night. If you stay overnight, you can enjoy them at night and again in the morning. If onsen is your goal, it's worth spending a night in Atami.

For families, groups, or those with tattoos who prefer privacy, there is the Atami Rental Villa Moon and Sun, where each villa comes with a private natural onsen (hot spring) and sauna. Since the bath and sauna are for exclusive use, those with tattoos can also enjoy them.