Atami Station Guide Walking Directions After Exiting the Ticket Gate, Coin Lockers, Foot Baths, Shopping Streets, Bus Stops

Atami Station is the gateway to the onsen (hot spring) and seaside town of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture. The Tokaido Shinkansen's Hikari and Kodama trains stop here, taking about 40-50 minutes from Tokyo Station. The station is compact, with coin lockers and the Midori no Madoguchi on the left after exiting the ticket gates, the "Lusca Atami" station building and tourist information on the right, and bus and taxi stands straight ahead. Remembering this will help you avoid getting lost.

Our JPWander team has visited Atami Station multiple times for research. Each time, we consider three things: "Where to store our suitcase," "Whether to stop by the footbath," and "Whether to walk or take a bus to the sea." This article will guide you through the station and its surroundings in order, so you won't be confused upon arrival.

Atami Station is located in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Atami is not in Tokyo; it's a town in the easternmost part of Shizuoka Prefecture, next to Kanagawa Prefecture. Despite this, it's known as a convenient onsen (hot spring) and seaside town, accessible from Tokyo in about 40-50 minutes by Shinkansen (unreserved seat 3,740 yen). For directions and fare comparisons, see How to Get to Atami from Tokyo.

Three lines stop at Atami Station:

Tokaido Shinkansen

Hikari and Kodama trains stop here, but Nozomi does not.

JR Tokaido Line

This local line connects Tokyo, Shinagawa, and Yokohama with Numazu and Shizuoka.

JR Ito Line

This line heads towards Ito and the Izu area. Kinomiya Station, near Kinomiya Shrine and Atami Plum Garden, is the next stop from Atami Station.

The Shinkansen ticket gates are separate from the local line gates. From either exit, the station square is just a short walk away.

There is only one main ticket gate for the local train line. Above the exit, there is a signboard displaying directions for buses, taxis, and coin lockers in both Japanese and English. Before you start walking, be sure to look up at this signboard. It will help you avoid getting lost.

Atami is a hilly town. Walking with a suitcase can quickly tire you out. It's best to leave your luggage first before exploring. Here are three convenient places near the station:

• Coin lockers to the left after exiting the ticket gate: The largest at the station, available 24 hours. Prices range from 300 to 800 yen depending on size. Popular, so large lockers may be full in the afternoon.
• 3rd floor of LUSCA Atami: Inside the station building to the right after exiting the ticket gate. Plenty of lockers and relatively less crowded. Available only during station building hours.
• Luggage storage on the 1st floor of Atami Station Front First Building (ATAMIX): Attractive for its low fees. Closes early in the evening, so be mindful of pickup times.

Most lockers require cash (100 yen coins). Some machines accept transportation IC cards like Suica. Credit cards are not accepted. For detailed information on locations and fees, check How to Find Coin Lockers Around Atami Station with photos.

After dropping off your luggage, stop by the footbath "Ieyasu no Yu" in the square in front of the station. It's free and available from 9:00 to 16:00. Just sit under the roof and soak your feet in the warm water. This simple act will warm up your body chilled from the train ride. Start your visit to Atami by warming your feet here. This is our recommended way to begin your Atami experience.

No worries if you forget a towel. There's a towel vending machine right next to the foot bath.

If you want to warm up your whole body, there's the public bath "Atami Ekimae Onsen Bathhouse" (500 yen), about a 2-minute walk from the station. If you prefer a soak with an ocean view, you can choose the day-use onsen "Ocean Spa Fuua," about a 10-minute free shuttle bus ride from the station. For how to enjoy and choose, refer to the Atami Onsen Guide, and for enjoying with tattoos, see the Onsen Guide for Those with Tattoos. Footbaths can be used even if you have tattoos.

If you're looking for food or souvenirs at the station, head to the right after exiting the ticket gate to the station building "Lusca Atami." It houses souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes, allowing you to explore without getting wet on rainy days. It's also recommended to pick up a map at the tourist information center on the first floor and decide your destination before setting off.

If you're up for a short walk, head towards the two shopping streets extending from the station square towards the sea. These are the "Nakamise Shopping Street" with an arcade and the adjacent "Heiwa Street Shopping Street." Both are short streets, about 200-250 meters long, lined with shops selling dried fish, manju and sweets, and diners. It's a great spot to pick up dried fish or sweets as souvenirs before catching your return train. It gets very crowded on weekends, so if you prefer a leisurely stroll, weekdays or early hours are best.

Some small shops only accept cash, so it's wise to carry some 1,000 yen bills and coins for peace of mind.

The bus stop is directly in front of the station plaza. Two companies operate the local buses in Atami: Tokai Bus and Izu Hakone Bus. Tickets like the one-day pass cannot be used interchangeably between the two. However, transportation IC cards like Suica are accepted by both, making it easiest to use an IC card. How to ride and pay is explained in the Atami Bus Travel Guide.

For example, to get to Atami Plum Garden, take bus number 1 from the station and get off at "Plum Garden." A taxi takes about 5 minutes and costs around 1,000 yen. Information on the best viewing times and entrance fees is compiled in the Atami Plum Garden Guide. A free shuttle bus is available to Ocean Spa Fuua. Other attractions are listed in the Atami Sightseeing Spots.

Many people walk towards the sea. However, Atami Station is located on a hillside. It's downhill from the station to the sea, and uphill on the way back. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll down through the shopping street. The uphill return can be more tiring than expected. Our recommendation is to "walk there, return by bus or taxi." It's much easier if you drop off your luggage before walking.

The area around Atami Station is easy for international travelers to navigate. The station signs are in English, and locker screens can be switched to English. However, some places still only accept cash. For example, the entrance fee for the historic villa Kiunkaku is cash only.

If you don't have a Suica yet, check out how to use Suica on your smartphone to avoid any hassle at Atami Station or on the bus.

Close to Tokyo, Atami is perfect for a day trip. Even just enjoying the foot bath at the station, shopping street, and a stroll along the coast gives you a sense of "being in Atami." However, to fully experience the onsen town atmosphere, an overnight stay is recommended. You can enjoy the hot springs both at night and in the morning.

For choosing areas and types of accommodations, refer to How to Choose Ryokans and Hotels in Atami. If you want a private onsen (hot spring) experience with family or a group, consider the rental villa Atami Villa Moon and Sun, located about 20 minutes by car from Atami Station on a hill. You can reach it by taking a shuttle bus to Atami Nature Village (5 times a day) or by taxi from the station.