The 26th Minami Cherry Blossoms and Rape Blossom Festival February 17 Evening Cherry Blossom Lighting and Bamboo Lantern Night Photo by Tokiya Otsuka

The 26th Minami Cherry and Rapeseed Blossom Festival Bloom Report for Sunday, February 18 Overall, the flowers are still in full bloom *In areas that bloomed earlier, petals are drifting on the wind*

Ocean Spa Fuua Ocean Spa Fuua (Fuua) is Atami’s largest day-use hot spring facility, offering panoramic views of Sagami Bay. At the breathtaking open-air standing bath—about 25 meters long and one of Japan’s largest—you can float in a sensation where sea and sky seem to merge. By day you’ll see the blue sky and sparkling Sagami Bay; by night you can enjoy the glittering nightscape of Atami City. Atami Living, a richly appointed relaxation area built around the theme of “seaside villa life,” features eight different lounges and terraces, as well as bedrock baths, a café, and extensive treatment and beauty services. The spacious Ocean Lounge, with its high ceiling, is a popular spot to relax while gazing at the sea stretching before you. The Onsuijoku Torukka offers supreme relaxation under the moonlight, with carefully selected sofas and natural aromatherapy scents. A restaurant serving resort-style dishes adjoins the facility, promising a restorative time that helps you forget everyday life, both physically and mentally. ※Guests under 18 years old must be accompanied by a guardian aged 20 or older. ※Children aged 4 through elementary school must be accompanied by a guardian of the same sex and cannot use mixed bathing areas. Some facilities may be unavailable for safety reasons. ※For safety reasons, children aged 0–3 are not allowed to enter. ※The open-air standing bath is not available to guests shorter than 135 cm. ※Entry may be limited depending on congestion. ※Operating conditions may change; for details please check the official Ocean Spa Fuua website. Address / 10-1 Wadahamaminami-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-8626 Phone / 0557-82-0123 Access / ■ About 10 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR atami station ■ About 10 minutes by bus from JR atami station bound for Atami Port / Korakuen, then get off at the final stop Hours / 10:00–22:00 (last admission 21:00) Closed / Irregular holidays Fees (including consumption tax) <Standard Fee> Adult 3,080 yen · Child 2,310 yen <After-5 Fee (entry from 17:00)> Adult 2,310 yen · Child 1,760 yen ※An additional bathing tax of 150 yen applies to adults only. ※On weekends, public holidays, and certain days, a surcharge applies (Adult +330 yen · Child +220 yen). ※Please check the official site for the specific dates. Parking / 230 spaces

Seiko Sawada Memorial Museum This museum gathers representative works by Seiko Sawada, a native of Atami City who received the Order of Culture. It displays art across many fields, including numerous wood carvings, paintings, ink wash works, ceramics, prints, and calligraphy. There is a popular belief that if you hold hands beneath the entrance ceiling stained glass panel "Hiten," you will remain happy forever. The reflection of "Hiten" on the red granite floor is also beautiful, so visitors can enjoy the stained glass both overhead and underfoot. ● Seiko Sawada (1894–1988) Born Toshiyoshi. An artist awarded the Order of Culture and an honorary citizen of Atami City. He grew up by the sea in Atami and, at 19, aspired to become a sculptor. He trained under Yamamoto Zuiun, a leading disciple of Koun Takamura. Until his death at 93, he worked across many artistic fields, producing numerous wood carvings as well as paintings, ceramics, prints, and calligraphy. His powerful, life-filled, and poetic works speak to the hearts of many and evoke great romance. Address / 9-46 Umezonocho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0032 (next to Atami Plum Garden) Phone / 0557-81-9211 Access / About 15 minutes by bus toward Ainogahara from atami station on JR, then get off at Sawada Memorial Museum stop Hours / 9:00–16:30 Closed / Mondays (open on public holidays) Admission / Adults 380 yen (250 yen for groups); Junior and senior high school students 250 yen (120 yen for groups); Elementary school students and younger free Parking / 10 spaces (free) ※Parking unavailable during the Plum Festival

Himenosawa Park Himenosawa Park, a famed flower spot in Atami, overflows with seasonal blooms all year round. It is a natural park where you can also enjoy a full-fledged adventure playground. About 600 species of plants grow within the park. In an environment that feels like a botanical garden, flowering trees such as azaleas and a variety of wildflowers burst into bloom. (The photo shows azaleas that bloom from late April to early May.) About a 90-minute trek from Himenosawa Park will take you to Jukkoku Pass, allowing you to fully enjoy nature on the way. Please enjoy the moving floral scenes to your heart’s content, where flowers welcome you whenever you visit. Address / 1164 Himenosawa, Izu-san, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0002 Telephone / 0557-83-5301 (Himenosawa Park Management Office) Access / From JR atami station, take a bus bound for the Motohakone area for about 30 minutes and get off at Himenosawa Park Admission / Free Parking / Free (Sazanka Parking: 46 passenger cars, 3 buses) and others

Imamiya Shrine (Imamiya Jinja) Located in the western district of Atami, Imamiya Shrine has long been revered as a place where heartfelt wishes are granted. The enshrined deities are Kotoshironushi no Kami and Okuninushi no Kami. The shrine’s founding dates back more than 1,700 years, traditionally said to have been during the reign of Emperor Nintoku. The legend of Minamoto no Yoritomo is also well known. When Yoritomo was exiled to Izu and became lost in the mountains of Atami, he prayed at a small shrine beneath a great camphor tree and was able to evade his pursuers safely. Afterwards, he showed his gratitude by contributing to the shrine’s buildings. The annual Grand Festival takes place every October 19 and 20. Address / 3-29 Sakura-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0028 Phone / 0557-81-4232 Access / From JR atami station, take a bus bound for Momijigaoka for about 15 minutes → get off at Koarashi → 3-minute walk Parking / Paid parking available nearby

Marine Spa Atami Marine Spa Atami is an all-weather health and exercise facility where anyone can easily enjoy Atami’s hot springs while taking in a seaside view unique to the city. A blue ocean stretches out before you, and beyond the soothing feeling of the hot springs themselves, Atami’s celebrated natural scenery comforts visitors. Since bathing suits are required, visitors can enjoy the hot springs without gender separation, making it easy for families, couples, and groups of friends to spend pleasant time together. You can get active on an approximately 8-meter-high water slide and in the hot spring pool, or take your time restoring your body in the health hot bath and bathing facilities. There are many ways to enjoy the facility. Address / 4-39 Wadahaminamicho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0023 Phone / 0557-86-2020 Access / About 10 minutes by bus from JR Atami Station toward Atami Port or Ajiro → get off at Marine Spa Atami (Please inquire about shuttle bus operation) Hours / 10:00–19:00 (last admission at 18:30) * Hours may vary during the New Year holidays and summer season Closed / Every Thursday (see the official page for other closed days) Admission / Adults 1,360 yen; elementary and junior high students 680 yen; ages 3 to preschool 420 yen; under 3 years 310 yen (see the official page for other pricing) Parking / Adjacent municipal Wadahama Parking Lot, 125 spaces (municipal rate 110 yen per 30 minutes; bring your parking ticket for a 2-hour discount) * During busy periods such as summer, entry restrictions may be applied * Temporary closures may occur, so please check the official page in advance

Atami Gigi Kenban Yumemachi Odori: Hana no Mai The geiko association hall where geiko rigorously train, the geiko kenban. The current building was completed in 1954 (Showa 29). At the time it was an impressive structure and was said to be the finest geiko association in the Tokai region. Today the hall hosts Yumemachi Odori: Hana no Mai every Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the professional dances that are rarely seen in everyday life. The kimono styling, graceful manners, and breathtaking beauty are a sight to behold. Address / 17-13 Chuocho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0015 (along the Hatsukawa) Phone / 0557-81-3575 (Atami Gigi Kenban) Access / From JR atami station take the bus bound for Momijigaoka for about 10 minutes → get off at Shimizucho Dates and Times / Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM (about 30 minutes). One performance only. Fee / 2,500 yen (tax included). Children in elementary school and younger are free. Parking / None (there is a nearby municipal paid parking lot) Reservation priority For visits to observe regular weekday training, please inquire Temporary cancellations may occur

Jacaranda Flowers Are you familiar with jacaranda, a member of the Bignoniaceae family native to South America? As shown in the photos, it produces clusters of purple flowers like bunches of grapes, and the contrast of green leaves and purple blooms makes it a very beautiful deciduous tall tree. In Atami City, you can find tall trees (towering overhead) and smaller shrubs (at eye level) along Route 135 (the Jacaranda Promenade in Tokaigancho to Shinshicho “Waterside Park” along the sidewalk, and inside Waterside Park). Although jacaranda’s flowering season in Japan is said to be June, it is extremely rare for it to bloom outdoors on the mainland because of the climate. Some years in Atami saw no flowering at all, and some trees bloom a second time in September or October rather than only in June. Even when they do bloom, not all trees flower; some years only a few trees bloom. Some trees produce many flowers, some only a single cluster, and some not at all. How much will bloom this season? ※Bougainvillea along the Itagawa River also reaches its best viewing at the same time, so please visit both. Main jacaranda planting locations and numbers ● Jacaranda Promenade (along Route 135, beside the sun deck) … one tall tree about 10 m, four trees 3–5 m, and 100 shrubs 1–2 m ● Along Route 135, downbound (from the Central Police Box to Waterside Park Section 2) … 20 trees 5–6 m ● Waterside Park Section 3 … one tall tree of about 2 m near the pedestrian bridge, and five shrubs on the Wada River slope Total above: 25 tall trees (non-shrub) and 105 shrubs History ・In July 1990, one tree was planted in Omiya Green Space to commemorate the sister-city partnership with Cascais, Portugal ・In 2000, 24 trees were planted along the national highway (diagonally in front of the Central Police Box to in front of the Waterside Park event plaza) (Since then, some have been transplanted and others newly planted.) ・In April 2013, trees were planted in Waterside Park Section 2 (in front of the Tourist Association) and Section 3 (three trees in Section 2 and two in Section 3) ・On June 1, 2013, the “Jacaranda Promenade” was completed in Omiya Green Space (45 young trees planted) ・From September 2013 to June 2014, Omiya Green Space (west side) was developed (planting), and a few trees were transplanted from along the national highway ・June 2014, completion of the “Jacaranda Promenade” Address / Tokaigancho to Nagisacho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone / 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Park and Greenery Division) Access / To the Jacaranda Promenade (Omiya no Matsu) ■ About a 20-minute walk from JR atami station ■ About a 5-minute bus ride from JR atami station toward Atami Port → get off at “Omiya no Matsu” Parking / City-operated paid parking (East parking lot, Waterside Park, etc.) and others

Nishikigaura One of Atami’s scenic spots. This celebrated coastline of sheer cliffs stretches about 1 kilometer south from Uomizaki, the gateway to the Izu Peninsula. (Uomizaki–Nishikigaura–Sogaura totals about 2 kilometers) When the sun rises, its light pours over the bay and flashes in five brilliant colors, so the place took the poetic name Nishikigaura, borrowing the image of woven brocade from Kyoto. Remnants of the Atami-Taga volcano remain here, and legends linked to historical figures such as Minamoto no Yoritomo and Kato Kiyomasa still survive. The cliffs tower about 80 meters high. Strange rock formations carved by the rough waves—Kabuto Rock, Bedrock, Eboshi Rock, Benten Rock—stand in a row, while Hatsushima and Oshima float offshore. For the best view, head to the area near Hotel New Akao and the cafe “Hana no Yousei.” Note: Access to Hotel New Akao’s rooftop garden is limited to hotel guests only. Thank you for your understanding. Address / 〒413-0033 Atami, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (near Hotel New Akao) Access / From JR atami station take a bus bound for Ajiro for about 15 minutes and get off at Nishikigaura Parking / None

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 I would like to introduce this time is "Shakunage". ・In a quiet environment surrounded by nature, you can relax with the sounds of birds and the greenery of trees. The open-air bath, where you can hear the murmur of the river, has a stylish atmosphere where you can take a bath while watching the stars shining in the sky at night. Meals are mainly wild vegetables and seafood. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Shakunage 【Address】Shizuoka, Kamo-gun Kawazu Town Nashimoto 1127 Phone number: 0558-35-7657 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m. [Total number of rooms] 8 No shuttle service [Parking lot] 8 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

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.

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.

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.

Atami Port Sea Fishing Facility Attention fishing enthusiasts and those thinking of trying it for the first time! At the Atami Port Sea Fishing Facility, you can enjoy fishing in a superb location with views of Atami’s streets and surrounding mountains. The breakwater is 260 m long and 14 m wide, using the inner sea (Atami Bay side) — the outer side is off-limits. In spring you can catch species such as umitanago (blackfish), rockfish (mebaru), Japanese whiting (shirogisu), mejina (black porgy), bigfin reef squid (aori-ika), red squid (akai-ika), and japanese halfbeak (urume iwashi). In winter you can expect mejina, rockfish, kasago (scorpionfish), togorou iwashi (small sardine), frigate mackerel (soda gatsuo), filefish (kawahagi), and mebaru. Black sea bream (kurodai) and red sea bream (madai) are also caught. We rent rod-and-bait sets (rod, reel, bait, tackle, bucket, water bucket, etc.), and sell foam coolers with ice for taking your catch home, so you can enjoy fishing even if you come empty-handed. Make your sea fishing debut in Atami! Address / 1694-32 Wadahamaminami-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0023 Phone / 0557-85-8600 Access / From JR atami station, take a bus bound for Korakuen for about 10 minutes → get off at the final stop, Korakuen → 10-minute walk Hours / April–October: 6:00 until sunset November–March: 7:00 until sunset Closed / The facility may close for safety reasons in cases of stormy weather, high waves, or strong winds. ※Closed from 12:00 onward on days with fireworks displays ※Closed on the third Wednesday of months without fireworks displays ※Closed on the third Wednesday when fireworks are held once a month ※Open on the third Wednesday when fireworks occur two or more times in a month Fees / ■ Fishing admission: Adults 500 yen, elementary and junior high students 300 yen (children under elementary school age free) ■ Rental rod set: 2,000 yen per rod for 2 hours (tax included; admission fee not included; no advance reservations) Parking / Standard cars 500 yen per day (prepaid) ※Parking closes at 13:00 on fireworks days (you must exit because it is a danger zone) Notes ※Pets not allowed ※Please check other precautions posted on the official website in advance.

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.