Train Day Trip from Tokyo to Atami: Part 2

Last Updated on January 10, 2026

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Exploring Atami

In case you missed it, here’s Part 1.
After enjoying a scenic train trip from Tokyo and having lunch, we headed to Kinomiya Shrine. We were still a bit far from the shrine after lunch, so we waited for the bus. But when it seemed like the one we needed wasn’t coming, we decided to call a taxi using an app. It was an extremely hot day, so that turned out to be a great choice. A taxi with nice, cool air-conditioning arrived to pick us up. I used the GO app, but Uber also works for calling taxis in Japan, so it’s reassuring to have it as an option.

At Kinomiya Shrine

Kinomiya Shrine is famous for its peaceful atmosphere and its sacred 2,000-year-old camphor tree, believed to bring good luck and long life. Visitors often walk around the tree to make wishes or pray for protection.

We purified our hands at the temizuya (water purification pavilion) before offering our prayers at the shrine. You can find a temizuya at shrines and temples. Visitors let the running water fill the ladle and use it to rinse their hands and mouth. Most places use regular tap water. But you don’t have to force yourself to do it if you feel unsure about hygiene while traveling. Just keep in mind that shrines and temples are sacred places meant to be entered with a purified mind and body.

This is how you do it: first, fill the ladle with a cup of running water and pour it over your left hand, then your right. Next, pour a little water into your left hand to rinse your mouth. Rinse your left hand again, then hold the ladle upright so the remaining water runs down the handle which purifies the handle.

Here’s an important tip. It is that you should never put your mouth directly on the ladle, and never pour dirty water back into the water basin. The area all around the basin is designed for drainage, so you can pour the used water there.

Sudden Thunder

Kinomiya Shrine updated its facilities about ten years ago, and structures such as the amulet shop have a slightly more modern look. I’ll summarize the important details at the end of this post.

While we were looking at the camphor tree and getting our goshuin(shrine stamps), we heard thunder starting. We took temporary shelter in a building, then called a taxi to continue to our next stop.

Next, we headed to the Atami Korakuen Hotel for a nice break. This was because, aside from visiting cultural sites, we wanted to enjoy a graceful, elegant moment together as two women.

Atami Korakuen hotel

We were actually planning to visit the observation deck, but with the thunder making it unsafe, we wandered around the hotel instead. The hotel expanded about five years ago, adding Atami souvenir shops, sweets shops, and a hot-spring spa. We had a great time checking out all the local specialties and the resort-style boutiques. I once visited that hot-spring spa with my mother, and I hope to share more about it another time.

HARBOR’S W

After checking out the local specialties, we stopped by a restaurant called HARBOR’S W. I got a pineapple granité, and my friend ordered a parfait made with Izu’s local green tea. The area around the hotel is a breakwater rather than a beach, but we had a great time chatting while watching the vast ocean.

On Our Way Home

Although we felt reluctant to leave, it was time to return home to our waiting families. The hotel had a shuttle bus to Atami Station, so we hopped on that. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come very often.

There were lots of souvenirs in the shopping street and the station building. Since we arrived at Atami Station with time to spare before our train, we picked up a few to bring home. Around Atami Station, there were lots of little alleys. They felt both nostalgic and a bit mysterious.

Whenever I go somewhere new, I find myself wondering what life would be like if I lived there. The world is full of things we’ve never experienced.

We took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo, which takes about 50 minutes from Atami. I picked up Eki-ben at Tokyo Station for dinner and enjoyed it at home with my family—it was a fun way to end the trip.

Eki-ben is special bento box sold at train stations. Tokyo Station has several shops where you can find a huge selection of Eki-ben from across Japan, making it really enjoyable to explore and choose your favorites. It goes without saying that freshly prepared food is always delicious, but Eki-ben is special because they serve as the perfect companion for a journey. That’s why they are so loved by people in Japan.

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Visiting Info

Kinomiya shrine

Access:
270 m / 886 ft from Kinomiya Station
(not Atami Station)

HARBOR’S W

Official English website
Price:
Pineapple Granité(Currently unavailable)
5.15 USD / 4.42 EUR
(approximate conversion from JPY)
Access:
2.5 Km / 1.55 mi from Atami Station

Ekiben-ya Matsuri

All info is current as of my visit.

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