Just A Train Ride Away by Mini Shrinivasan

Present-day Atami is still teeming with hot spring resorts. In fact, shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616) loved Atami so much that he carried its onsen water all the way back to his residence in Edo (now Tokyo). Without further ado, here’s our official onsen guide to the bubbling hot spots of the Izu Peninsula.Ītami, memorialized in several Japanese movies, is often called “the gateway to the Izu Peninsula.” Less than an hour away from Tokyo by bullet train, it’s been a favorite destination for many.

One of the best things about the peninsula is that it’s almost completely surrounded by water so in most cases, you can get a double whammy - an onsen soak with an ocean view - and of course, Mt. Located just about 100 kilometers southwest of the capital city, the Izu Peninsula has always been a favorite getaway for Tokyoites, particular writers, artists, surfers and scuba divers. Onsen towns are scattered across the length and breadth of the Japanese archipelago but if you’re looking for a quick day trip away from the noise and steamy crowds of Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula is probably your best bet.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Kiribati, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Middle East, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Namibia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North America, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Republic of Croatia, Republic of the Congo, Reunion, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South America, South East Asia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Switzerland, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Vanuatu, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands (U.S.Some of the most relaxing hot spring towns with breathtaking views are just a train ride away from Tokyo.Īre you suffering from freezing fingers and aching bones this winter? Feeling a bit under the weather? Luckily, you’re living in a country that has the perfect antidote to cold bodies and the winter blues: dipping your entire body in a mineral-rich onsen (hot spring).

Just A Train Ride Away by Mini Shrinivasan