Burning of the New Year Decorations

Around the 15th of January, people bring their New Year decorations to the beach at Atagawa to be burned in a big bonfire, called "donto-yaki".  It is done early in the morning and lots of local people and visitors come to watch. 

You can also get some free "mochi" or Japanese rice cakes. 

Hosono Heights

Not far from Atagawa is the Hosono Highlands. A big open space that offers panoramic views of the Izu Penninsula and walking routes. The highlands is accessible all year round, but in the autumn months the locals hold a susuki festival. Susuki is a type of flowering grass that is native throughout east Asia. 

During this time of year, there are buses that run from Izu-inatori station to the entrance of the highlands and then free shuttles that wisk you right to the top of the mountain from the information kiosk. 

Entrance to the highlands at this time of year costs 500 yen per person which includes the free shuttle ride to the top and they offer a few food stalls and guided tours as well. 

It can get cool up there, so it's best to take a light jacket. 

I recommend taking one of the free shuttles to the top and walking back down to the information center. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk down. 

The Susuki event flyer showing the various walking routes. 

Events - Candle Night

On some weekends, Izu-Atagwa has a candle night event along the esplanade. If you are staying in a Japanese inn nearby, feel free to take an evening stroll in your Japanese robe, yukata, and sandals, geta.

Sometimes, they may also offer free tonjiru soup.

The Chinese character for love, ai.

The candle night event is not held every weekend, and you'll need to check with the tourist information center or your hotel. The candle event is mostly held in the winter, especially around Christmas.

Holiday Homes in Japan

Izu-Atagawa is a hot spring resort town and there are numerous resort condominiums in the area. Many of them were built during the bubble period about 20 years ago and now because the owners are aging and selling them off, and also because there is a surplus of these resort condominiums, they are surprisingly cheap. Even foreigners living in Japan can now afford to have a second home. Let’s have a look at getting a second home in Japan.

Resort condo in Izu Atagawa

For around 2,000,000 yen ($20,000US), you could get yourself a little 22 square meter condo with small kitchenette and unit bath. That’s all you need if it is just the two of you. You may need something bigger if you’re a family of four. Since you are in a hot spring resort town, almost all of the complexes will have their own hot spring bathing facilities in the building. You could sit in the outdoor hot pools and look over the ocean. Your condo will probably come with a swimming pool and various other facilities such as a billiards table and table tennis table. 

Most condos will have their own hot spring facilities.

Of course you’ll have to pay the running costs if you purchase one. Maintenance costs will cost around 20,000 yen a month for a 22 square meter condo. If you have a bigger condo, you’ll pay more. The cost will also depend on the age of your condo, too. You’ll also need to pay for utilities, such as power and water. Oh, and don’t forget insurance.  

Japanese flooring, tatami.

Second home ownership isn’t for everyone. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Firstly, how far is it from your home? Ideally, you want something that’s not too far away. Perhaps a 3-hour drive at most. Secondly, If you have a second home, you’ll probably be going back to the same place all the time, rather than different destinations. 

Kitchenette

Unit Bath

However, with a second home you are not dictated by the check-in and check-out times of hotels. You won’t have to vacate your room by 10am, so you can sleep in, and perhaps head for home later in the evening after you are well rested. 

View from balcony

If you think you’d like a second home in Japan, there are many websites (in Japanese, naturally) that list resort condos. One company that deals in resort holiday homes his Himawari. Check out their website at http://www.himawari.com and if you see anything you like, organize a viewing. It would probably pay to have someone who can speak Japanese, especially if you decide to buy. When it comes time to buy, you’ll have to pay the land agents fees on top of the sale price, and there is a one-off property tax that needs to be paid about 3 months after the purchase date.

Naramoto Keiyaki Park

About 2kms off route 135 is the Naramoto Keiyaki Park. There's a foot bath area and a small shop that serves light lunches. Lunches are sometimes limited, so you may miss out if you come late in the day.

There is sakura to be seen in spring and fireflies during the rainy season.

The park also holds a market on weekends during high season.

There's car parking and toilet facilities.

Recommend drink: Shiso juice.

The foot spa

The Banana Crocodile Park

One of the main tourist attractions of Atagawa, apart from the hot springs, is the Banana and Crocodile Park. (Banana-Wani-en.)

Unfortunately the crocodiles don't have much space.

The park houses various kinds of crocodiles and caimans from all over the world, lesser pandas, a manatee, giant tortoises, flamingos and numerous hothouses containing various tropical plants and of course, bananas.

The park is divided into three separate locations, with the third zone accessible by a free shuttle bus. There are a few small refreshment stalls in the park with limited menus. The park is a minute walk from Izu Atagawa station and entry costs 1500 yen. Before you go, try to find the park's brochure at information centers for the 100 yen off ticket inside.

The pandas and the crocodiles will entertain the kids, but the hot houses will probably bore them. Worth a visit if you have time on your hands. You could easily spend an hour or even two strolling around the park, especially if you start talking to the chatty parrot, Obatan.

Places to Eat - Miharu Sushi

If you are staying in Atagawa the night, chances are that your hotel or Japanese inn will provide you with dinner and breakfast. However if you are in need of lunch or dinner there is a great little sushi restaurant near the beach, just behind the Centus Royal Hotel called Miharu Sushi, 三春寿し.

The sushi and sashimi is fresher than anything you'd get in downtown Tokyo and the master makes great tamagoyaki.

The selection of local fish sushi plate will cost 2,625 yen, but there are cheaper plates and options. At lunchtime there is also a set meal option, such as the one pictured below for 890 yen.

I recommend the plum wine, umeshu, which is made by the chef himself.

Miharu Sushi Restaurant