Izu Atagawa might be unfamiliar to many travelers, but it’s one of Izu Peninsula’s underrated hot spring towns. Steam from the natural springs drifts through the streets, and the Pacific stretches wide along the coast, creating a quiet, easygoing atmosphere.
Located directly by the sea, Atagawa Ocean Resort gives guests the ideal starting point to experience both the soothing hot springs and the relaxing seaside views of this town.
Make Atagawa Ocean Resort part of your journey and see why this small town leaves a lasting impression on travelers.
Sightseeing Around Izu Atagawa
Start your Izu weekend trip in daylight. Morning in Izu Atagawa begins with the calm of the coastline and the gentle steam rising through the town. It’s easy to reach Ikona Hime no Mikoto Shrine (Shirahama Shrine), one of the most scenic and historic spots in the region when you arrive there. Known as the oldest shrine in Izu—about 2,400 years old, it stands close to the water, and its vermillion torii gate creates a striking frame against the ocean. On clear days, the horizon aligns cleanly with the gate, making it a memorable way to start your morning and a quiet introduction to the spiritual and cultural history surrounding Atagawa.
By late morning, you can continue your day by heading toward the greenery of Kawazu Nanadaru. This popular walking route links seven large and small waterfalls. The path follows a cool mountain stream and moves through shaded areas that feel refreshing throughout most of the year. It’s roughly an hour from beginning to end, with each waterfall offering a new view that makes the walk easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Suspension bridges and small changes in terrain also keep the walk interesting. It’s a comfortable outing for travelers who want to experience Izu’s inland nature.
After spending time in the valley, you can return toward the coast to explore the dramatic scenery of Jogasaki. The Kadowaki Suspension Bridge, approximately 48 meters in length, stretches across volcanic cliffs. The waves below create a vivid contrast with the dark rock formations and the landscape opens into uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean.
A little farther inland, Mount Omuro offers a wide-open vantage point for the afternoon and shows a different side of Izu’s volcanic past. A lift takes you straight to the top, where the circular rim path gives you a full panorama of Izu Kogen, Sagami Bay, and, on clear days, Mount Fuji in the distance. A 20 to 30-minute walk around the crater of Ohachi Meguri gives you a continuous 360° panorama of the surrounding landscape.
If you’re visiting in February, you can end your day in Kawazu to see the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura lining the river. Nearly 8,000 trees create a vivid pink corridor, and the evening illuminations give the blossoms a soft glow. For a meaningful end to your day, you can stop by Jingi Taisha Shrine. The shrine is associated with prayers for animals, and visitors often leave illustrated ema (wooden wish plaques) for their pets. You’ll also find small sculptures and stone statues around the grounds, reflecting Japan’s long tradition of prayer and healing.
Stay in the Heart of Izu Atagawa
After a day spent exploring the coast, waterfalls, and volcanic scenery around Izu Atagawa, the town’s gentle steam and ocean air lead you naturally back toward the shoreline—where Atagawa Ocean Resort sits at the center of it all.
Oceanfront Rooms That Bring the Sea into Your Stay
The hotel features 75 oceanfront rooms, each facing the Pacific with uninterrupted views of the water and the distant Izu Seven Islands. With layouts starting from thirty-nine square meters, every room feels open and calm—more like a private seaside retreat than a traditional hotel stay. Balcony rooms invite guests to enjoy morning coffee in the sea breeze or unwind at night with the sound of waves drifting in.
Find the space where you’d like to wake up to the Pacific:
- Superior Twin: A thirty-nine–square-meter oceanfront room with a balcony overlooking Izu Oshima and the Izu Islands. Accommodates up to four guests with additional bedding.
- Superior Triple: A thirty-nine–square-meter oceanfront option ideal for small groups or families, offering three beds and wide island views. A daybed allows for a fourth guest.
- High Floor Japanese–Western Style Room: Located on the 7th–10th floors, these rooms range from fifty-two to fifty-six square meters, combining Western beds with a tatami area and offering expansive views from higher elevations.
- Corner Deluxe Japanese–Western Room: A fifty-seven–square-meter corner layout with large windows framing the Pacific, blending Western beds with tatami space. Ideal for guests seeking a more spacious and elevated stay.
All rooms include essential comforts such as private bathrooms, air conditioning, a TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, air purifier, and newly added HDMI support. Families traveling with infants can request a range of baby supplies, including baby baths, beds, and other helpful items, available by reservation and subject to availability.
Pet-Friendly Comfort for Travelers with Dogs
The resort features dedicated pet-friendly rooms equipped with amenities such as cages and bowls. There’s a private elevator to ensure comfort for guests with allergies, as well as a seaside walking route nearby, perfect for morning and evening strolls with your dog. There is also an in-room dining plan where you can enjoy your meal with your dog. All of these are rare among onsen resorts, making Atagawa Ocean Resort one of the best pet-friendly onsen destinations in Japan.
Hot Spring Comfort in Its Purest Form
Izu’s natural hot springs are known for their abundant water flow and near-boiling 95°C temperatures. At Atagawa Ocean Resort, the baths use Gensen Kakenagashi, pure spring water flowing directly from the source with no dilution or reheating. The open-air bath allows you to gaze out over the ocean as steam rises around you and waves echo below. It’s a quintessential Japanese moment: restorative, quiet, and timeless. This Atagawa onsen hotel is one of the most relaxing ways to experience the town’s deep onsen culture.
Facilities Designed for Slow, Relaxed Resort Living
In summer, the ocean-view pool becomes a highlight, with the Pacific unfolding directly ahead and a gentle coastal breeze moving across the hotel’s common lounges. Heated from late March to June and open as a regular pool from July to September, it’s an inviting spot where a gentle coastal breeze moves across the lounges. Evening light-ups also create a soft, atmospheric mood that appeals to couples and families alike.
You can unwind on a deck chair and enjoy the sea breeze, surrounded by the open, airy atmosphere that defines a true resort. The poolside cafe, Reef Break, operates year-round, serving gelato and drinks. Guests receive a complimentary drink ticket at check-in, and those who purchase a commemorative T-shirt can enjoy unlimited drinks and snacks—a small but memorable perk.
For those with pets, the hotel also features a dedicated dog run with natural grass, giving pets plenty of space to play and relax. A convenient foot-washing area is available as well, making it easy to clean up after outdoor fun.
Dining That Highlights the Flavors of Izu
At Atagawa Resort Hotel, guests can enjoy two distinct dining experiences at its on-site restaurants. ATAGAWA BOLD KITCHEN offers a carefully crafted dinner buffet where guests can fully enjoy the specialties of Higashi Izu and other local gourmet dishes. A highlight is the kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) made with fresh regional Izu seafood. The buffet also features a diverse menu, including Ashitaka gyu menchi-katsu (minced cutlet made from branded beef raised at the foot of Mount Ashitaka with Mount Fuji spring water), Izu kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) acqua pazza, beef steak, shrimp ramen, and chasoba (green tea soba noodles). For dessert, Shizuoka’s unique matcha ice cream is a popular choice, offering a sweet and authentic taste of the region.
The breakfast buffet is equally bountiful and continues the focus on local flavors, allowing guests to start the day with regional delights. Highlights include freshly grilled fish, aji (horse mackerel) tempura, Shizuoka-grown hon-wasabi rice, and a chazuke corner, where rice is served in a flavorful broth. Every dish showcases local ingredients and culinary traditions, ensuring that both morning and evening meals provide a true taste of Higashi Izu.
For those seeking a quieter, more refined dining experience, Ristorante Fiume Caldo offers elegant course meals in a calm, sophisticated setting. The menu emphasizes local Shizuoka ingredients such as Ashitaka gyu and Ise ebi (spiny lobster), with each dish served carefully one by one. Ideal for anniversaries, couples’ trips, or special celebrations, the restaurant creates a memorable dining experience where guests can savor both the flavors and the moment in a serene atmosphere.
Japan Seaside Onsen Towns That Are Steps Away
You can explore much of the area around Izu Atagawa on foot during your stay at the hotel, discovering shops, streets, and local spots beyond the previously mentioned sightseeing attractions. Yukemuri Sozoro Dori (Steam Strolling Street) offers a classic onsen-town experience with rising steam, foot baths, and traditional ryokan (inns), allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring town. At night, the steam is beautifully illuminated, creating a magical scene. Walking through the area, with the aroma of hot springs mingling with the sea breeze, feels like stepping back in time to experience Japan’s historic onsen culture.
Right in front of the hotel, Atagawa Hot Park features a free Gensen Kakenagashi natural foot bath overlooking the ocean, perfect for a casual and relaxing onsen experience. Guests can also try onsen tamago (hot spring eggs), immersing eggs in 100% natural hot spring water and waiting 15–20 minutes for a creamy, delicious result—though care is needed due to the water’s near-100°C temperature. Nearby, Atagawa You Yu Beach offers opportunities for swimming and marine activities in the summer and serves as a peaceful spot for morning or evening walks, letting visitors enjoy the gentle sea breeze and scenic coastal views.
Getting to and Around Izu Atagawa
From Tokyo to Izu by train is an easy journey, making it a convenient destination for a day trip or overnight stay. The fastest option is to take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Atami Station (around 40–50 minutes), then transfer to the Izu Kyuko Line to Izu Atagawa Station (approximately 50 minutes). From the station, the hotel is only a 5-minute walk.
Alternatively, direct highway buses run from major Tokyo locations such as Shinjuku and Tokyo Station to Izu Atagawa, offering a comfortable ride without transfers. Both train and bus options make it easy to enjoy Higashi Izu’s onsen and coastal attractions without the need to drive.
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the hotel, the town is highly walkable, with shops and local attractions easily explored on foot. For destinations a bit farther afield, public transportation is convenient and reliable: trains on the Izu Kyuko Line connect to other towns along the peninsula, while local and highway buses provide access to nearby sightseeing spots, beaches, and onsen areas. This makes it easy to plan day trips around the Izu Peninsula without needing a car.
