I’ve just come back from “Kawazu Sakura Matsuri”, Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossom Festival, which is being held until March 10. Telling the truth, I’m a little bit perplexed what to begin with because there were so many must-see points other than sakura cherry blossom that should be introduced first. Anyway, please open this map and copy it if necessary.
Now, I got off the train at Izukyu Kawazu Station ( 河津駅 ) and opened the map to find my way. As a result, I did not have to worry about how to get to the event site because sakura and food stalls led me there eventually soon after I got out of the station. In five minutes or so, I found a red bridge on the walkway along the Kawazu River.

I strolled toward the sea first to see what kind of beautiy i could find. It was a little windy that day and the wave was rather high. Now, I’m at the far-left side on the map. See ?

I walked on the left-side walkway of the river because there should be “Ashiyu” foot spa close from the bridge. There it was. It was very happy for me that the ashiyu was free. I went upstairs and looked around. Holly mackerel ! The view was splendid and the temperature of onsen hot spring was best ! I put my shoes and socks off to bathe my feet in it. Ten minute break !＾＾

I began to stroll again to the main site of the festival. On my way, I found hundreds of food stalls that sold souvenirs using sakura leaves, local oranges, green tea, and various B-class gourmets such as Fujinomiya Yakisoba and Mishima Croquette.

In 20 minutes or so, I got to the lawn square where another ashiyu was. I headed for it but……see the pic. There was no room for me.＞＜。。 Ok, maybe God was telling me not to take a rest there because I might miss the train or something.

I kept walking under the roof of sakura. Actually, it seemed like a tunnel of cherry blossom.

Now, see how much I walked so far from this PDF. I’ve written my route and ashiyu spots in the map so that you can follow my footstep. ＾＾

English Map (1643KB)

My Route (855KB)

Next time, I’ll introduce the latter part of my story at Kawazu Sakura Matsuri.

Bye for now !＾＾

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

After leaving Kiunkaku, I walked down straight toward the seashore called “Shinsui Park” where you can take a tour boat and visit Atami City Tourism Association. 　You can also take the boat to Hatsushima Island from Atami Port.
The wind against me was very refreshing. I strolled along the promenade in the direction of the station. The wavy handrails seemes designed in the image of waves. I saw some men fishing and a lady walking with a dog. How nice it would be if this world had become a part of my life, I imagined.

In five minutes or so, I was at “Moon Terrace” known as a sacred place for lovers. There, I found a tall monument ahead with a peaceful dove on it. Wonderful views ! You can see the outline of Atami City from there.

Turning left, you will see “Atami Sun Beach” where hundreds of thousands of people visit in summer. Further on your left, you will see lots of hotels that Atami City is proud of. At the same time, you will recognize the geographical environment that Atami is standing on. Hills along the coast. Maybe almost all distinguished resort spots in the world are supposed to be in condition like this.

Omiya & Kan-ichi

Now, let's walk for a while along the Sun Beach. You will soon find “Omiya's Pine Tree” known as the setting of an uncompleted story titled "Konjiki Yasha" and this is the story between them.
Omiya had been supposed to marry a young man “Kan-ichi” when she pledged her future to another wealthy man for some reason. Why ? God only knows. Anyway, this is the scene when Omiya begged him for forgiveness and Kan-ichi kicked her away. She still tried to reach him by any means like by writing, but we don’t know what’s happened between them afterwards. What do you imagine ? Could he accept her as a friend ? Or He moved far away from her ?

I took a bus to the station across the street because my legs had been crying out for help. The shopping street in front of the station was really nice for buying souvenirs. I bought some stuff for my friends and now am ready to tell how much I enjoyed in Atami.

Have a good day !＾＾

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

So, I’m stepping into the “Kiunkaku”.　　Maybe I should first explain what is Kiunkaku in detail.

Kiunkaku was originally established in 1918 by Uchida Nobuya, a founder of a ship-building company, later a major politician in Japan, as his second house. In 1925, a chief executive officer of a railroad company ― actually people called him “Railroad tycoon” ― took over this mansion to set up a western style cottage and a luxurious garden. After World War �U, in 1947, it was started up as a Japanese style Inn “Ryokan” to have various great literary figures such as Shiga Naoya and Dazai Osamu, and finally in 2000, Atami City opened it to the public.

The entrance hall was dressed very decently with many flowers. I took my shoes off and stepped in the foyer, to the right first to look around a Japanese room with general information. Even though you don’t read Japanese, please don’t get disappointed. I have a good news ! At the reception desk, you can have a copy of information in English, Chinese and Korean.
Next, I walked through the long corridor which I could feel the vestiges of good old ryokan. Along the corridor, I saw several Japanese rooms. No wonder early writers loved these rooms because all rooms were faced with luxurious garden !

I walked on to the next room. Then, out of the blue, the world changed. Just like one of the medieval western room, I surmised. It was very interesting to me to compare cultures between Japan and Europe from these actual architectures.
Next came a large bathroom of the Roman, followed by an exhibition room ― when I was there, Japanese Kimono dresses had been displayed ― and another bathroom.

Now, each mansion was set up to make a large rectangle shape, surrounding a large garden. That is, you can enjoy the garden from every cottage. I walked all the way around back to the entrance hall and went out to stroll in the garden. From there, you can see how these villas look like. Staying there made me feel as if I had time-slipped to the early Showa time. Maybe it would have been quainter to walk around with Japanese Kimono cotton clothes on.＾＾
You can enjoy Kiunkaku enough in at most one hour. It would be a good idea to have coffee, looking out the garden, in the coffee shop belonging to it.
Now, I’m on my way back to the station. But maybe I should stop by at the Atami Port to fulfill myself with exhilarating air.

Next time, I’ll introduce the seashore of Atami.

Have a good day !＾＾

Kiunkaku
Access from JR Atami Sta. ： 20 minutes on foot／10 minutes by #3 bus to “Kiunkaku-mae”
Admission ： ￥500 for adults／￥300 for children under 18
Open Hours ： 9:00 〜 17:00
Closed ： Every Wednesday

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

After having a supernatural power at “Kinomiya Shrine”, I walked for "Kiunkaku" following the map ( ←open it for sure ! ). On my way, I found a small shrine named “Yuzen Shrine”, worshipped through the ages as the god of hot-spring in Atami. It was very interesting to me that people purify their hands or mouth after the gate with hot spring !

Now, attention please on the name “Yuzen”. It literally means “In front of hot water”. So, which water ? Remember I introduced a geyser at “Ieyasu no Yu” in the first place ? 　Across the alley, there is another geyser “Ohyu Geyser” ( �G on the map ) that has been supposedly regarded as one of the original sources of Atami Onsen hot springs.

The phone booth beside it is the replicated first phone booth in Japan in commemoration as the first city of out-of-city call. Yes, that is definitely true ! The out-of-city call started first in Atami ! So why ? Because major politicians used to come to Atami onsen resort for rest, they needed the circumstance to be able to reach someone in Tokyo any time. So, one single line was exclusively operated for outside the city call only here in Atami ! Atami is such a resort !

Strolling further, I passed Itokawa River (or Ito River ) where is very popular this season for “Atami Cherry Blossoms”. According to the website of Atami City Tourism Association, about 80 % of the cherry blossoms have been in bloom now. ＾＾ It’s being illuminated in the night until Feb 13 !

I walked on along the street, passing by “Atami Geigi Kenban” ( �E on the map ) where you can see dance performances by Geisha. You can enjoy it “Hana no Mai” at 11:00 on Saturdays and Sundays for ￥1300. And please be informed that “Atami Wodori” the annual Geisha’s largest event will be held on Apr 28 & 29 as in the past. For further information, please see my previous record or this official page.＾＾

I guess I had walked for more than 20 minutes when I came across a seemingly boundless wall. This is it, “Kiunkaku” ( �D on the map ).
This was originally a second mansion of an influential politician, once temporarily used as a gorgeous Japanese Inn, and is now a tangible cultural property of Atami City. You can tour around it for ￥500. I stepped in it and astonished by the extravagantly luxurious architecture and its wonderful garden.

You will see next time.＾＾

By for now !

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

So, I left Atami Baien a few minutes past 12:00 and walked downhill for a while. On my way, I could see the Hatsushima Island very clearly. I passed by JR Kinomiya Station and kept strolling along the overhead railway, turned left at the second traffic signal, passed through the tunnel, and it was there, “Kinomiya Shrine”, in about 15 minutes from Atami Baien.

Kinomiya Shrine is the very guardian deity of Atami City and also known as one of the best “Power Spots” in Japan. The Power Spot indicates the special site where you can have supernatural energy, like, to halt the disease, or to change fortune for the better. Mt. Fuji is also regarded as one of them.

Now, the large Shinto shrine Gate with two huge flags definitely promised me something. I stepped into it. A humongous stone and a dignified tree showed up before me first. This shrine has supposedly about 1300 year history. I bowed to the stone, pressed my hands together ( this is how we pray to the gods ) against the tree and walked on the approach, expecting super duper energy.＾＾


I reached Honden main hall up the stairs in a few minutes. There, I saw dozens of people making wishes in front of Honden. I did as well, about which you’ll never know.＾＾

Kinomiya Shrine Honden main hall

By the way, in this shrine, there are two more shrines worshipped by the people.

One is called “Kinomiya Inari Shrine”, the god of agriculture and business, which can be traced back to The Fuhimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. You can find it just after the entrance gate.

The other is “Kinomiya Benzaiten Shrine”, the god of advancement and career success. It is on the right side of Honden main hall. They say that, in Edo Era, Okubo somebody came down this Benzaiten Shrine all the way from Edo ( Tokyo ), of course on foot, to worship this god and made it to one of the highest position in Tokugawa system.

Now, I’m on my way to the “Power Spot” ! Walking through the left of Honden, you may have an eccentric feeling and the next moment, you will get overwhelmed or stunned by the sight of humongous sacred tree ! More than 2000 years old ! ! The very spirit of all the nature in Japan, I thought. I walked around it, gazing on it as if I had found something supernatural in it.

By the way, there is a narrow trail around the tree. You know why ? Because they believe as follows ：
★If you go around the tree, you will live one year longer.
★If you go around wishing something in your mind, it will come true.
I learned the fact just after I’d came back, though I had lots of wishes.＾＾； Anyway, I would live 1 year longer. Good enough !＾＾

Next time, I’ll introduce “Kiunkaku”.

Bye for now !＾＾

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾