Atami in Shizuoka: Location, Access & Getting There from Tokyo

Where Is Atami? Location and Geographic Context

Atami (熱海) sits at the very northern tip of the Izu Peninsula in the far eastern corner of Shizuoka Prefecture — technically in Shizuoka but geographically much closer to Tokyo than to Shizuoka city. The town borders Yugawara in Kanagawa Prefecture, making it the first Shizuoka destination you reach when heading south from the Tokyo area.

The city is built on the steep slopes of a partially submerged volcanic caldera on the edge of Sagami Bay. This dramatic topography — hillsides dropping sharply to the sea — gives Atami its characteristic terraced layout and ocean-view onsen hotels. The Kuroshio (Black Current) flows offshore, warming the coast and giving Atami mild winters relative to inland areas.

Most of Atami falls within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (富士箱根伊豆国立公園), placing it in the same protected region as Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and the rest of the Izu Peninsula. For what to do once you arrive, see our Atami resort guide for things to do. For where Atami fits among other Shizuoka destinations, see our Shizuoka city guide.

The name Atami literally means "hot sea" (熱い海) — a reference to the city's geothermal springs, some of which once boiled into the ocean. This geological activity is the reason Atami became one of Japan's most famous onsen towns and was designated an International Tourism and Culture City by the Japanese government in 1950.

Shinkansen from Tokyo: The Fastest Route to Atami

Atami Station has been a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen (東海道新幹線) since the line opened in 1964, making it one of the most accessible onsen destinations from Tokyo. The journey takes approximately 45-50 minutes, putting Atami within easy day-trip or weekend-trip range of the capital.

Which Shinkansen Services Stop at Atami

The Tokaido Shinkansen runs three service tiers between Tokyo and Osaka. Not all stop at Atami:

Service	Stops at Atami	Notes
Kodama	Yes (all trains)	Stops at every station; slowest but most frequent at Atami
Hikari	Some trains	Select Hikari services stop at Atami — check the schedule for your specific train
Nozomi	No	Expresses through Atami without stopping

Kodama is the most reliable choice for Atami. Because it stops at every station, the journey from Tokyo takes slightly longer than express services but offers the most departure options. Hikari can be faster when it stops at Atami, but you need to check the timetable — not every Hikari includes Atami.

Fares vary by seat class. Check the JR Central website or station ticket counters for current pricing. Unreserved seats are available on Kodama and Hikari without advance booking.

JR Pass Coverage for Atami

The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) covers both Kodama and Hikari services on the Tokaido Shinkansen, making it a cost-effective way to reach Atami if you are already using a pass for other travel. Nozomi is not covered by the JR Pass.

For a simple Tokyo-Atami round trip, a JR Pass is unlikely to pay for itself — the pass is designed for longer, multi-city itineraries. But if Atami is one stop on a larger trip (Tokyo → Atami → Kyoto → Osaka, for example), the pass covers this leg at no additional cost.

Other Train Options: JR Tokaido Line and Local Services

If you prefer to save money or enjoy a slower journey, the JR Tokaido Main Line (在来線, conventional line) also connects Tokyo to Atami. This is the regular train service — not the shinkansen — and takes approximately 1.5-2 hours from Tokyo or Shinagawa, depending on whether you take a direct service or transfer at Odawara.

The conventional line is significantly cheaper than the shinkansen and is covered by the JR Pass, Seishun 18 Kippu, and other discount tickets. The tradeoff is time: what takes under an hour by shinkansen takes nearly twice as long on the regular train.

From the west, Atami is also reachable by JR Tokaido Line from Mishima, Numazu, or Shizuoka city — useful if you are coming from the Nagoya or Osaka direction without using the shinkansen. For more on Mishima as a neighboring stop, see our Mishima city guide.

Driving to Atami from Tokyo

Driving from Tokyo to Atami takes approximately 2-2.5 hours depending on traffic, though weekend congestion on the expressways can push this to 3 hours or more.

The main route uses the Tomei Expressway (東名高速道路) from Tokyo to the Atsugi IC or Odawara area, then continues south via the Odawara-Atsugi Road and National Route 135 along the coast. An alternative is the Shin-Tomei Expressway to Nagaizumi-Numazu IC, then south to Atami.

National Route 135 hugs the coastline for the final stretch into Atami and offers views of Sagami Bay, though it can get congested on weekends and holidays. The Izu Skyline toll road provides a mountain-ridge alternative with panoramic views, connecting to Atami from the highlands.

Parking in Atami can be challenging — the town's steep, narrow streets are not car-friendly. Many hotels offer parking, but if you are visiting for the day, use municipal parking near the station. A car is more useful for exploring the wider Izu Peninsula than for getting around Atami itself.

Atami as Gateway to the Izu Peninsula

Atami's position at the northern tip of the Izu Peninsula makes it the natural entry point for travelers heading further south. The peninsula extends roughly 60km (37 miles) into the Pacific and contains dozens of onsen towns, coastal villages, and mountain hiking areas. Atami is where most of the peninsula's transport connections begin.

JR Ito Line: South Along the East Coast

The JR Ito Line (伊東線) departs from Atami Station and runs south along the eastern Izu coast to Ito. From Ito, the Izukyu Railway continues further south to Shimoda at the peninsula's tip. This is the main rail artery for the east side of the Izu Peninsula.

The journey from Atami to Ito city on the east Izu coast takes approximately 25 minutes by local train. From Ito, Izukyu Railway trains continue to Kawazu (about 30 minutes further) and Shimoda (about 1 hour from Ito).

The JR Ito Line portion (Atami to Ito) is covered by the JR Pass. The Izukyu Railway beyond Ito is a private railway and requires a separate ticket.

Bus Connections to Western Izu

The western side of the Izu Peninsula is not served by rail south of Mishima. To reach western Izu towns like Shuzenji, Dogashima, or Heda, you will need to take a bus from either Atami or Mishima Station, or drive.

Buses from Atami Station serve several western Izu destinations, though schedules can be infrequent — especially outside peak tourist season. Check the Tokai Bus or Izu Hakone Bus websites for current routes and times before planning a cross-peninsula trip.

For a comprehensive look at the peninsula's layout and how to plan multi-town itineraries, see our Izu Peninsula overview.

Getting Around Atami

Atami is compact but steep. The town center near the station and the beachfront are walkable, but the hillside onsen hotels and some attractions require uphill climbs. A local bus network connects Atami Station to major attractions and hotel areas — many hotels also run shuttle services to and from the station.

Taxis are readily available at Atami Station and are practical for short trips to hillside locations. Rental cars are available but generally unnecessary within Atami — the narrow, hilly streets make driving less convenient than public transport or walking.

The town's core — the station area, shopping street, Sun Beach, and waterfront — can be covered on foot in a half day. Budget extra time if you plan to walk uphill to locations like the MOA Museum of Art or hilltop ryokan.