Essentials
- City
- Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- Approximately 34,500
- Internet Speed
- Average 95 Mbps (Fiber optics widely available in hotels and coworking spaces)
- Currency & Banking
- Japanese Yen (JPY). 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY. Major banks: Suruga Bank, Shizuoka Bank
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink; high quality mountain runoff
- Power
- 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (2-flat-pin)
- SIM Card
- Sakura Mobile, Mobal, or Ubigi (eSIM). 30-day data plans approx. ¥4,500 ($30)
- Banking for Expats
- Wise, Revolut, and Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) are most accessible
- Accommodation
- Ryokans, Guesthouses, and repurposed 'Minshuku'. Monthly rentals via KaguAruoo
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger hotels and chains accept cards/Suica; small Onsen and local shops are Cash Only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; prices range from ¥8,000 to ¥25,000 per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Guesthouse MARUYA (approx. ¥4,500/night) located in Ginza-cho
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Atami Bay/Sun Beach area for ocean views and fireworks
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ginza-cho (Downtown) for proximity to cafes and the coworking 'living-office' vibe
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Naedoco (located above Guesthouse MARUYA). ¥1,500/day or ¥15,000/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- CAFE KICHI. Quiet atmosphere, high-quality coffee (¥600), and reliable Wi-Fi. Near Atami Station
- Networking Events
- Atami Community Design (ACD) meetups, often held at Naedoco for local entrepreneurs
- Social Events for Expats
- Atami International Exchange Association (AIA) seasonal mixers
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- JapanTaxi or GO App. Uber is limited to luxury hires only
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Atami Rent-a-Cycle (Atami Station). Electric bikes recommended due to steep hills (¥1,000/3 hours)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Atami Sun Beach (City center) or Nagahama Beach (15 mins south by train)
- Top Regional Airline
- Fuji Dream Airlines (operating from Shizuoka Airport, 2 hours away)
- Top International Airline
- ANA or JAL via Haneda Airport (accessible via Shinkansen in 45 mins)
- Highway Access
- Atami Beach Line and Route 135 connecting to Odawara and Izu Peninsula
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Atami Station (JR Tokaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Main Line, and Ito Line)
- Public Transport Passes
- Yu-Yu-Bus 1-day pass (¥800) for unlimited city sightseeing loop
- Regional Travel
- Shinkansen to Tokyo (¥4,000, 45 mins) or local train to Ito (¥330, 25 mins)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Atami Tokushukai Hospital. English assistance available on a limited basis
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Onsen-yoga sessions at various Ryokans; Hotel New Akao offers wellness packages
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Marine Spa Atami (¥1,360 for pool/gym/onsen access). Located near the port
- Laundry Services
- Pierrot Coin Laundry (Nagisa-cho). Medium load approx. ¥600
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats (limited selection) and Demae-can
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Himono (Salt-dried fish) and Atami Pudding (¥400)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tensei (Soba restaurant with vegetable options). Purely vegan spots are rare; clarify 'no dashi'
- Best Dessert Spots
- Atami Pudding Main Shop near the station; Kinomiya Cafe for forest-themed sweets
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- MaxValu Atami Store for groceries and prepared bento boxes
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.jp and Rakuten (1-2 day delivery to Atami)
- Grocery Delivery
- Aeon Net Super
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Showa' style alleys of Nagisa-cho; many small 'Snack' bars
- Local Brewery
- Atami Beer (bottled locally, sold at souvenir shops like Ichiba)
- Wine Bars
- Enoteca Atami (near the waterfront)
- Street Food Stalls
- Nakamise Shopping Street near the station (Fried fish cakes, steamed buns)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Leone di Mare (Italian seafood) in Shimotaga
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Atami Castle (viewpoint) and the MOA Museum of Art
- Museums & Art Venues
- MOA Museum of Art (Escalator tunnel and Noh theater). Entry: ¥1,600
- Historical Sites
- Kiunkaku Former Villa (Taisho-era architecture). Entry: ¥610
- Religious Sites
- Kinomiya Shrine (famous for the 2,000-year-old camphor tree)
- Annual Events
- Atami Sea Fireworks Display (held over 10 times a year)
- Cultural Districts
- Atami Geigi Kenban (Geisha rehearsal hall with Saturday performances)
- Theater Venues
- Atami Za (traditional performances)
- Local Markets
- Atami Ekimae Heiwa-dori Shopping Street
- Music Scene
- Jazz bars in the backstreets; occasional outdoor concerts at Water Park
- Street Art
- Small sculptures along the 'Oyu Geyser' walk
- Cooking Classes
- Local 'Himono' making workshops at various dried fish shops
- Art Galleries
- Sawada Seiko Memorial Museum
- Historic Buildings
- Hyuga Villa (designed by Bruno Taut)
- Local Heritage
- Onsen culture (Atami is one of Japan's most historic hot spring towns)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hatsushima Island (30-min ferry ride from the port)
- National Parks Nearby
- Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (Atami is a gateway city)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Tokaido' old road hiking trails near the Jukkoku Pass
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Jukkoku-Toge Pass (cable car access for Mt. Fuji views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Akao Herb & Rose Garden
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Very restricted; strictly limited to designated campsites in neighboring Kannami
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) and Sagawa Express
- Tech Repair Services
- No dedicated shops; must travel to Bic Camera in Numazu or Mishima
- Table Tennis Spots
- Common in traditional Ryokans; Atami Sekitei has tables for guests
- Language Classes
- Atami Japanese Language Volunteers (International Exchange Association)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Atami City Library (near City Hall). Quiet but limited Wi-Fi
- Community Centers
- Ikigai Center Atami
- Gaming Lounges
- None; traditional Arcade centers are found in the station mall
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Pachinko Parlors near the station (e.g., Atami Lucky)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥10,000,000 / $67,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥250,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥6,250,000 / $42,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥350,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = ¥15,750,000 / $105,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥200,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = ¥9,000,000 / $60,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥300,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥21,000,000 / $140,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥180,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥12,600,000 / $84,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Combined rate approx. 30.6%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; Japan has a Digital Nomad Visa (6 months)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus 10% local inhabitant tax)
- VAT
- 10% (standard Consumption Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to companies with 50%+ Japanese ownership
- Property Tax
- 1.4% Fixed Assets Tax plus 0.3% City Planning Tax annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 3-4% (Registration and Real Estate Acquisition Tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Japan's new 6-month visa allows remote work but does not grant residency tax status