Former Hinata Family Atami Villa (Former Hinata Villa) Rihei Hinata, who prospered in Asian trade, completed this detached villa in 1936 (Showa 11) as an annex to his main residence. The two-story wooden main building was designed by Jin Watanabe, known for projects such as Wako in Ginza, Tokyo, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, and the Aichi Prefectural Office. The basement’s interior was designed by the world-renowned German architect Bruno Taut, making this the only surviving architectural work he left in Japan. The villa comprises three main rooms: a social room richly furnished with bamboo and paulownia wood, a Western-style room with an interior staircase as part of the room, and a Japanese-style tatami room. The design consciously reflects Japanese aesthetic traditions such as the Katsura Imperial Villa and Ise Grand Shrine. After the death of the Hinata family head, the villa was carefully used as a corporate retreat. Faced with the threat of demolition in 2004 (Heisei 16), Atami City acquired the property thanks to a donation from a philanthropist living in Tokyo. In 2006 (Heisei 18), it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. More than 80 years after its completion, deterioration and the urgent need to improve seismic performance made repairs critical. From fiscal 2018 (Heisei 30) to fiscal 2021 (Reiwa 3), large-scale conservation and repair work was carried out. In August 2022, the villa reopened to the public after preserving and reproducing its original condition as much as possible. ※Visits require advance reservation only (online reservations only). For details and reservations, please check the Atami City official website. Address／8-37 Kasuga-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0005 Phone／0557-86-6232 (Atami City Lifelong Learning Division, Cultural Exchange Office: weekdays only) Access／About a 10-minute walk from atami station Opening days／Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 9:00–17:00, shift schedule ※online reservation required Admission／Adults 1,000 yen; junior and senior high school students 700 yen Parking／None

February 16 The early-blooming atami sakura have finished, and the Oshima zakura are coming into full bloom! White cherry blossoms are blooming at the seaside park beside Marine Spa Atami.

📍 Aichi Prefecture / Tourism Farm Hanahiroba A tourist farm with flowers blooming 365 days a year at the tip of the Chita Peninsula. After all, it is a spot where you can pick flowers and take them home, so you can take pictures with sunflowers like this. Sunflowers blooming on vast lands. The pink truck looked great and it was wonderful!

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, the earliest event in Honshu where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing, is being held. In this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, I would like to introduce "Nikai Falls". ・A 20-meter-high waterfall located just below the Agar Bridge along the old road and falling in two stages. It is the first waterfall at the source of the Hontani River Kawazu River, and there are many trees around it. It is one of the famous waterfalls of Amagi with beautiful scenery such as autumn leaves and fresh greenery. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Nikai Falls 【Address】Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Kawazu Town Nashimoto 【Parking lot】Yes Passenger car 15 cars ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

Ikeda Masuo and Yoko Sato Creative House This house was the home and studio of the late multi-artist Ikeda Masuo, who excelled in printmaking, painting, and film. He lived here from 1982 (Showa 57) until his death in 1997 (Heisei 9), sharing the space with world-renowned violinist Yoko Sato. The house, where the two prodigies lived together and based their artistic activities, exhibits Ikeda’s handwritten manuscript of his Akutagawa Prize-winning work "Dedicated to the Aegean Sea," his chronology, photographs, lithographs, and ceramic panels, as well as Sato’s stage dresses, musical scores, chronology, and photographs. Come see a glimpse of their glamorous yet unpretentious daily life. Address / 10-24 Kaikocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 413-0003 Phone / 0557-81-3258 (Creative House) Access / About a 15-minute walk from atami station / About a 3-minute bus ride from atami station toward Izusan Shrine, get off at Momoyama, then about a 3-minute walk Opening hours / 9:00–16:30 (last admission by 16:00) Closed / Every Tuesday (open on public holidays) and during the New Year holidays Admission / Adults 360 yen, junior and senior high school students 240 yen, elementary school students and younger free *Children below elementary school age are not allowed to enter unaccompanied Parking / None

Atami Nanayu (The Seven Hot Springs of Atami) As you walk through the town, you can spot steam rising from various slopes. These are the source springs known as the “Atami Seven Hot Springs.” You can tour the springs and experience their long history and hot-spring atmosphere. (Each of the seven guideboards has a commemorative stamp.) • The Oyu Geyser was a naturally erupting spring famous worldwide as an old intermittent spring. Oyu erupted six times day and night, blasting water and steam in alternating, violent bursts that were said to make the ground tremble. Its activity gradually declined from the middle of the Meiji era and ceased in 1923 (Taisho 12) though it did erupt again during a major earthquake. In 1962 (Showa 37) it was preserved as a city cultural property and remains so today. ※Today, water is artificially ejected roughly every five minutes to recreate the historic eruptions of Oyu. Address / 〒413-0018 Kamiyadocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone / 0577-86-6232 (Atami City Lifelong Learning Division, Cultural Facilities Office) Access / About a 20-minute walk from JR atami station / About 20 minutes from JR atami station by Yu-Yu Bus → get off at Oyu Geyser → about a 3-minute walk Parking / None • Ozawa no Yu The baths in the gardens of Sawaguchi Yazaemon, Fujii Bunjiro, and Yonekura Sazaemon were once called Heizaemon no Yu, but locals called them Ozawa no Yu because they were in a small ravine. Like Seizaemon no Yu, it is said that calling out loudly caused a strong flow, while calling softly produced a weaker flow. At Ozawa no Yu you can cook hot-spring eggs with the steam that wells up. Locals vouch for how tasty they are, making this a small but beloved Atami attraction. ※Renovation completed on July 1, 2023. Two steaming vats were added and new benches installed. Address / 〒413-0013 Ginza-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (in front of Tenjin Liquor Store) Phone / 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Parks and Greenery Division) Access / About a 15-minute walk from JR atami station Parking / A few paid parking spaces are available nearby In addition to these two sites, there are Furo no Yu and Mizu no Yu, Sajiro no Yu (Eye Bath), Seizaemon no Yu, Nonaka no Yu, and Kawarayu. ※The Atami Seven Hot Springs are not bathing facilities.

📍 Aichi / Ichinomiya City Kiso Mikawa Park 138 Park A cherry blossom boardwalk on the side of the park. Yoshino cherry blossoms are blooming beautifully.

📍 Aichi / Kawazu boardwalk A tunnel on the outskirts of Shinshiro City. There is a position where you can see the cherry blossom trees when you look through the tunnel. The pink color of the cherry blossoms is reflected in the tunnel and it is beautiful.

📍 Aichi / Ōganzakura boardwalk A boardwalk on a major street in Nagoya. Since it is a boardwalk that suddenly appears in the city, I was aiming for a photo opportunity so as not to feel that there are many people passing by.

📍 Aichi / Otogawa Otogawa River in Okazaki City is famous for its beautiful cherry blossom trees. The rows of cherry blossom trees are also good, but I like this composition, which cuts out a part of it.

📍 Aichi / Yamato Daicho A large strawberry tree in Toyokawa City. There are a lot of people during the day and you can't take good pictures, so I recommend going early in the morning.

Atami Sightseeing Boat SANREMO (Sanremo) The Sanremo was named after Atami’s sister city, the Italian port town of Sanremo. Departing from Shinsui Park Third Pier (at the mouth of the Hatsukawa River), this roughly 30-minute cruise passes offshore sites such as Nishikigaura and Sogaura, turns back just before Akanesaki, and offers sea views of Atami, the Manazuru Peninsula, Kawana in Ito City, and Izu Oshima. In the underwater observation room with glass windows, you can see fish from inside the boat. If you climb the steps to the open deck, you can feed the seagulls and feel as if you are flying over the sea with them. The vessel has a capacity of 50 passengers, and small pets are allowed on board. Enjoy cruising around Atami. Address / 3rd District, Shinsui Park (near Hatsukawa), Nagisa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0014 Phone / 0557-52-6657 Access / About 10 minutes by bus from JR atami station bound for Atami Port, Korakuen, or Ajiro Asahi-cho → get off at Shinsui Park → 1-minute walk Departure times / 10:00, 10:40, 11:20, 12:00, 13:00, 13:40, 14:20, 15:00, 15:40 (approx. 30 minutes) Closed / Every Tuesday, in severe weather, and during maintenance. Please check the official website beforehand just in case. Fares / Adults (junior high school and older) ¥1,700; Children (ages 3 to elementary school) ¥900 Children under 3 free; small dogs free; discounts available for people with disabilities. Parking / Adjacent municipal Shinsui Park Second Parking Lot and others (municipal parking rate: ¥110 per 30 minutes) Tickets are available at the boarding point. Routes may change or services may be canceled due to weather. The underwater observation room is only likely to show fish before departure.

Shinsui Park - Moon Terrace A waterside park stretching south from Sun Beach. Atami City is a sister city of Sanremo in northern Italy, and because the terrain and townscape are similar, the park was developed with the image of a northern Mediterranean resort. The first section, Sky Deck, evokes the South of Europe and the Côte d'Azur and is primarily brick. The second section, Rainbow Deck, evokes the northern Italian Riviera of Sanremo and is mainly stone. The third section, Nagisa Deck, linked by Nagisa Small Park and a pedestrian bridge, evokes the Bay of Naples in southern Italy and features planted flowers and trees. The park is loved by locals and visitors alike as a place for walks, sunbathing, events, and commemorative photos. ・March 1997: Completion of the first section (including Moon Terrace), approximately 170 by 50 meters ・March 2000: Completion of the second section (138 meters) ・April 2009: Completion of the third section, approximately 160 by 40 meters Nicknames ・September 2003: Names decided for the first section as Sky Deck and the second section as Rainbow Deck ・October 2009: Name decided for the third section as Nagisa Deck Address / 〒413-0014 Nagisa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone / 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Parks and Greenery Division) Access / From JR atami station take a bus bound for Atami Port for about 10 minutes and get off at Ginza or Shinsui Park-shita Parking / Municipal Shinsui Park parking lot, 140 spaces (municipal parking: 110 yen per 30 minutes)

The 26th Minami Cherry and Rapeseed Blossom Festival Period: February 1 to March 10 (now ongoing) Photo: Otsuka Tokiya

The 26th Minami Cherry and Rapeseed Blossom Festival Bloom update for February 16 Overall, the flowers are in full bloom. * In areas that bloomed earlier, the petals are fluttering down. * The parking lot at Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana is very crowded.

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024 will be held until Thursday, February 29! Every night during the exhibition period, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night and you will be enveloped in a fantastic scenery. This time, we will introduce the lodging facilities that you want to visit when sightseeing at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. Have a blissful time with hot springs and fresh cuisine from Kawazu! The lodging we will introduce this time is "Family & Resort Kawabata". ・Standing along the clear stream of the Kawazu River, this lodging boasts a hot spring with a high skin-beautifying effect. Both the large public bath and the open-air bath are poured into the bathtub by flowing from the source, and it is reputed that the skin becomes smooth after the bath. The environment surrounded by nature is a walk in the Sagano Canyon, seasonal flowers, bird watching, and clear stream fishing. For dinner, where you can taste the mountains, rivers, and seafood all at once, you can enjoy plenty of the blessings of nature with fresh vegetables grown in your own vegetable garden. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Family & Resort Kawabata 【Address】188 Kawazu Raft, Kawazu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-35-7310 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m. [Total number of rooms] 14 Reservation is required. 【Parking lot】10 cars ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

"The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" is being held. About 850 cherry trees bloom along the Kawazu River, and about 8,000 cherry blossoms in total! In this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, I would like to introduce "Mitaka Shrine". ・Kabuki tradition ~Shrine Story~ "Once upon a time, there lived in the field of Mitaka Danmano a god with a sharp ear of ears, the god of the ear of the god of the ear of the god of the great tree, and one night he came to the base of the great pine tree and got off the white cow and said to him, "If we all get along, I promise you prosperity and protection," while the white cow licked his face and limbs with his long tongue. The god astride the white cow has ascended to heaven. It is the day of October 23rd. Since then, the villagers have made rice cakes in the shape of cows' tongues and offered them to the temple. Even now, "tongue bell mochi" remains as a custom. At first, it was called Mitaka Shrine, but then it came to be called Mitaka Shrine. Mitakashiki Sanbaso Date: October 22 night session 18:30 ~ and 23 day part 11:00 ~ every year * About 1 hour and a half of dedication In the Edo period, young volunteers from the village who were instructed by Ichikawa Kodanji, the fourth generation of Edo Kabuki actors from Mitaka, staged the Shikisanban in the old government building. Even now, the Kagura Hall with a "revolving stage" remains as a valuable building. Shikisanban is performed every year on a stage that has been passed down from the Edo period to the present. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Mitaka Shrine 【Address】563 Mitaka, Kawazu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-1558 【Parking】None ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

Kawazu cherry blossoms 🌸 in full bloom This is the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival held in Minami-Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It blooms the earliest in Honshu and is a sight to behold! It is very crowded, so I recommend 😆 going early in the morning

It's nice to be able 😊 to take pictures of Japan's pride "Mt. Fuji" and "cherry blossoms" in spring. Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji City Junigawa

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024 will be held until Thursday, February 29! Please enjoy the early arrival of Spring. When you visit Kawazu Town for the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, be sure to enjoy the exquisite gourmet food of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Eel Shop Okawaya". ・ Traditional taste of baking without steaming Located on the banks of the Kawazu River, it is an eel shop "Okawaya". We use all domestic eels in our shop. Kansai-style eel, which is slowly grilled over charcoal without steaming, has been well received for its crisp mouthfeel. Please come and visit us. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Unagi no Shop Okawaya 【Address】303-3 Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Kawazu TownYatsu Phone number: 0558-32-0076 【Business hours】11:00~14:00/17:00~20:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Thursdays 【Parking lot】Yes ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024 will be held until Thursday, February 29! Every night during the exhibition period, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night and you will be enveloped in a fantastic scenery. This time, we will introduce the lodging facilities that you want to visit when sightseeing at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. Have a blissful time with hot springs and fresh cuisine from Kawazu! The lodging we will introduce this time is "Aoki no Saka". ・High-quality hot springs, spacious guest rooms, local ingredients For dinner, the main dish is Kinmedai, and the young proprietress arranges seasonal sea and mountain delicacies. At the time of booking, we will ask you about seasonal dishes and preferences. The open-air and indoor baths overlooking the Kawazu Loop Bridge can be reserved. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Aoki-no-saka 【Address】342-1 Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Kawazu TownNashimoto Phone number: 0558-35-7187 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m. 【Total number of rooms】7 Reservation is required. 【Parking lot】7 cars ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

Atami Ropeway Just in front of the Atami Korakuen bus stop, enjoy a retro gondola and a roughly three-minute aerial stroll. When you step off the ropeway, you arrive at the summit of Mt. Hachiman, Atami’s premier observation point. From the summit terrace you can look down over Atami city. On clear days you can see the Boso Peninsula and Miura Misaki to the east, Hatsushima in the foreground to the south, and far out in the Pacific Ocean, Izu Oshima. At the tip of the observation deck is the Umi-Sora Terrace, where you can feel how close the sea and sky are. Pay attention also to the lovers’ memory spot, the Aijo Monument, the popular Umi-Sora Cafe known for its ice cream, and the Koimikuji Hall. Address / 8-15 Wadahamaminami-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0023 Phone / 0557-81-5800 Access [Foot of the Mountain Station (in front of Korakuen Hotel)] From JR atami station take the bus bound for Atami Port/Korakuen for about 10 minutes and get off at "Korakuen." [Summit Station] From JR atami station take the Yu-Yu bus for about 15 minutes and get off at Atami Castle, then walk about 3 minutes. Business Hours / First uphill 9:30, last uphill 17:00, last downhill 17:30 Open year-round (may close temporarily during severe weather or maintenance) Fees/ Adults (junior high school and older) one way 400 yen, round trip 700 yen Children (ages 4 to elementary school) one way 300 yen, round trip 400 yen Parking / Use the Atami Korakuen Hotel multi-story parking garage (show your parking ticket at the counter for 2 hours free)

Kiunkaku Kiunkaku began as a villa built in 1919 (Taisho 8) and was praised as one of Atami’s "three great villas." Reborn as a ryokan in 1947 (Showa 22), it welcomed many guests as one of Atami’s representative inns and was beloved by Japan’s leading writers, including Yamamoto Yuzo, Shiga Naoya, Tanizaki Junichiro, Dazai Osamu, Funahashi Seiichi, and Takeda Taijun. It is now open to the public as a cultural property of Atami City. A lush garden that feels far removed from the town center. The main building (Japanese wing) and detached annex retain the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. A Western-style building blends decorative elements and styles from Japan, China, and Europe, creating a unique atmosphere. These elegant facilities will be preserved as historical and cultural heritage for future generations. Please visit and see it for yourself. Address / 4-2 Showa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0022 Phone / 0557-86-3101 Access / ■From JR atami station: take a bus bound for Ainohara Danchi, Umezono, Nishiyama, or Hakone (or the Shimizu-machi loop) for about 10 minutes and get off at Kiunkaku-mae. ■From JR atami station: take a bus for Momijigaoka for about 10 minutes and get off at Tenjin-cho, then walk about 2 minutes. ■By Yu-Yu Bus: get off at Kiunkaku West Entrance and walk about 2 minutes. Hours / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Closed / Every Wednesday (open on public holidays), year-end (Dec 26–30) Admission / Adults 610 yen (460 yen for groups); middle and high school students 360 yen (240 yen for groups); elementary school age and younger free. Parking / 37 standard car spaces (free). Medium buses up to 9 m are permitted; large buses are not allowed.

Izusan Shrine Izusan Shrine, the birthplace of many place names in Izu. Famous as the spot where Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hōjō Masako were united, it is also known as a shrine for matchmaking. In the Edo period it was called Izu Daigongen, and Tokugawa Ieyasu visited the shrine, giving it a long historical significance. Climb the long stone steps to the precincts and enjoy a superb view overlooking Atami City and the sea. From the main hall to Motomiya, the route passes the worship pavilion, Hakusan Shrine, and Yui Myojin Honsha, taking about an hour. We recommend a leisurely mountain walk while offering your prayers. About 800 steps below the main hall is Soyu Jinja Shrine, where the god of hot springs is enshrined. The annual grand festival takes place over three days from April 14 to 16, drawing many visitors. Address／708-1 Izusan, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0002 Phone／0557-80-3164 Access／Take a bus bound for Nanao from JR atami station for about 10 minutes and get off at Izu‑san Shrine Front Parking／Free (5 spaces) ※The 837 steps count covers the route from Izusan Beach (near the running hot spring) up to the main hall. (From the city road with the Izu‑san Shrine Front bus stop to the main hall is about 200 steps; from Japan National Route 135 to the main hall is about 600 steps.) ※Beyond the main hall and the Izu‑san Local History Museum toward Motomiya, the path becomes a mountain trail, so please take care.

Atami Castle Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum Atami Castle rises atop the summit of Nishikigaura, a scenic spot in Atami. The castle keep’s observation deck offers a 360-degree panorama: it looks out over Atami city, Yugawara, the Manazuru Peninsula, and on clear days the floating silhouettes of Hatsushima and Oshima, with the Ajiro–Ito side of the Izu Peninsula stretching beyond—making it Atami’s premier viewpoint. In spring the castle is famous for cherry blossoms, and in summer you can watch fireworks from the keep like a feudal lord. (The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from late March to early April.) Inside the castle you’ll find the Samurai Culture Museum displaying armor and swords, a ukiyo-e shunga gallery, an Edo costume experience room where you can dress up for photos, a jet footbath at 120 meters above sea level, and a free game corner—packed with sights and surprises. In the castle annex, the Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum offers wonderfully strange illusions where flat paintings appear three-dimensional. About 40 trick artworks feature marine creatures, dinosaurs, wild beasts, and Jaws-style scenes. You can do more than admire the art—take hilarious photos, experience illusions of becoming a giant or a tiny person, touch the exhibits, and snap shots for big laughs. Lose track of time as you get absorbed in the tricks. It’s a place that excites families, friends, and couples alike. Address / 1993 Sogayama, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0033 Phone / 0557-81-6206 (Atami Castle) Access / ■ About 10 minutes by car from atami station ■ About 10 minutes by bus from atami station toward Atami Port or Korakuen; get off at "Korakuen" → take the AtamiRopeway for about 3 minutes → about a 3-minute walk from Summit Station ■ About 15 minutes from atami station by Yu~Yu~ Bus → get off at Atami Castle Open / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Open year-round Admission / Adults 1,100 yen; elementary and junior high students 600 yen; ages 3–6 450 yen (Two-site set ticket / Adults 1,800 yen; elementary and junior high students 950 yen; ages 3–6 700 yen) Parking / 100 spaces; parking fee: 500 yen (per visit)

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, the earliest event in Honshu where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing, is being held. In this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, I would like to introduce "Sarutabuchi". ・Nature left in the upper reaches "Sarutabuchi Promenade" is a detour course of the "Odoriko Trail". "Sarutabuchi" is a scenic spot located in the upper reaches of Kawazu Nanadaru Falls, where nature remains completely untouched. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Sarutabuchi 【Address】Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Kawazu TownNashimoto 【Parking】None ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

Atami Station Front Shopping Streets (Nakamise and Heiwa-dori) In front of Atami Station are two shopping streets, Heiwa-dori and Nakamise, where long-established shops with 60- and 70-year histories still operate. Unlike shopping malls, these streets gather small, quirky shops where you can experience a uniquely Japanese style of shopping. You will find restaurants, cafes, sushi bars, and dried-fish shops, along with souvenir stores stocked with specialties from the Izu Peninsula. Official goods featuring Atsuo, the mascot of the Atami Onsen Hotels and Ryokan Cooperative, are also available in various shops. Strolling while nibbling on a hot-spring manju bun is recommended. Enjoy shopping here at the start of your trip or on your way home. Address / 〒413-0011 Tawarahoncho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (in front of JR Atami Station)

Atami Sun Beach A blue sea and white sand, a row of hotels, and a palm-lined promenade create a beach that feels like an upscale overseas resort. In summer it serves as a bathing beach and, as a place to stroll along the sand or play in the waves, it is popular with families and couples. At dawn you can see a beautiful scene as the sunrise rises from the horizon, dyeing the beach and town, and at night the beach is lit in a magical display—the first beach illumination in Japan—designed by world-renowned lighting designer Mikako Ishii. During the summer season many people use the beach as a swimming area, and the hugely popular Sun Beach Water Park is also thriving. The beach is frequently used as a location for TV and photo shoots, including the drama Hibana. Address / 〒413-0012 Higashikaigancho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone / 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Parks and Greenery Division) Access / About a 20-minute walk from JR atami station / About 5 minutes by bus from JR atami station toward Atami Port or Momijigaoka → get off at Sun Beach → about a 3-minute walk Hours / Swimming permitted during the beach season from 9:00 to 16:00 Illumination every night from sunset to 22:00 (lights off during fireworks displays) Parking / Adjacent municipal Higashi Parking Lot, 250 spaces (municipal P parking fee: 110 yen per 30 minutes) *This is a non-smoking beach; please smoke only in designated areas.

Ieyasu no Yu (footbath) A footbath using natural hot spring water located in front of atami station. Installed as a commemorative project for the 400th anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu's visit to Atami (March 2004), it attracts many visitors every day. The water is completely drained after 16:00 each day and the footbath is cleaned every morning, so it stays hygienic. Fresh spring water is refilled and it is an open-flowing footbath for guests to use. Original towels are sold in a vending machine for 100 yen each (tax included), making it easy to drop by. Temperature: about 41°C (source temperature 68°C) Water quality: sodium-calcium chloride Benefits: neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, bruises, chronic digestive disorders, sensitivity to cold, fatigue recovery, cuts, burns, and more. Address: 9 Tawaramotocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0011 (in front of atami station) Phone: 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Parks and Greenery Division) Access: 1 minute on foot from JR Atami Station Hours: 9:00–16:00. Please note it may close earlier than the above time due to circumstances. Open every day Free to use Parking: none (use nearby paid parking) Please note the facility may be closed for maintenance or other reasons.

Hello! This is the Kawazu Tourism Association. The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival started on February 1st! When you visit Kawazu Town for the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, be sure to enjoy the exquisite gourmet food of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Cave BAR ANAGURA". ・ Hideaway BAR where you can enjoy the extraordinary Use the stone quarry where the stone was quarried for the construction of Edo Castle in the Edo period. Please forget the time and enjoy the space that you cannot enjoy in your daily life. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Cave BAR ANAGURA 【Address】183-2 Mitaka, Kawazu Town Mitaka, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-2296 【Regular holiday】Not opens 【Parking】None 【Other】19:00~24:00 ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen