The scenic Hoshino Resort Risonare Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its spectacular views and hot springs, will begin hosting Night Strawberry Tours, inviting couples to pick strawberries in an illuminated greenhouse from January 6 until March 30, 2023. The event is only available on even-numbered days, and only one couple per day can participate. Beni Hoppe Strawberries are a specialty of the area, and this is the 10th event of its kind. Fittingly, guests can enjoy their strawberries with 10 unique condiments. 

Enjoy Fresh Strawberries with 10 Condiments

Guests can enjoy ten unique condiments with their strawberries, including condensed milk, mascarpone, and pistachio. When the mild flavor of condensed milk is combined with savory pistachios, the fresh, full-bodied sweetness of the Beni Hoppe strawberries reaches a new level. Visitors are welcome to ask the staff for the best combinations, or are welcome to experiment themselves!

Pick Strawberries at Night in a Private, Shimmering Greenhouse

After dinner, guests will leave the hotel to begin the Night Strawberry Tour. A red carpet is laid out in the illuminated greenhouse, and those taking part in the tour will enjoy strawberry picking as they sip a glass of rose champagne. 

See how Strawberries are Cultivated

Beni Hoppe strawberries are made by combining the Akihime and Sachinoka varieties. In Japanese, the name means red cheeks, and the name was inspired by the Japanese term hoppe ga ochiru*, meaning “my cheeks are falling off.” This is often used to describe food that’s extremely flavorful. These particular strawberries are award-winning, so visitors won’t want to miss this exclusive experience!

*See Shizuoka Prefecture’s official website for more information.

In February, Godzilla fans were excited to hear that they would be tasked with protecting Atami Bay Resort Korakuen in a new escape room coming soon. Now, the Escape from Godzilla event has a starting date: May 27, 2022!

Atami Bay Resort Korakuen has been a familiar sight in Atami since 1965. The beautiful property sits on the gorgeous Sagami Bay, treating guests to unforgettable views. The Escape from Godzilla event will ask players to solve mysteries throughout the hotel. Visitors will need to explore rooms and sometimes interact with hotel staff to reach the end. SCRAP, known for its numerous crossover escape games, created the project.

Atami is the setting of the decisive battle in the 1962 film King Kong vs. Godzilla. 2022 is the 60th anniversary of the film, and guests are invited to enjoy an original story and original images showing Godzilla’s attack on present-day Atami in cooperation with Toho.

Five original pieces of merchandise have been announced as part of the project. These Godzilla-themed items can only be purchased during the event.

Commemorative Puzzle Game Set: ¥2,300 (Tax Included) / Door Plate / Sticker / Hotel Keychain

Plush: ¥1,800 (Tax Included)

Fans can grab a commemorative set including a special Godzilla sticker, a hotel keychain, and a door plate perfect for decorating at home. Clear folders and celebratory stickers for escape room winners will also be available, along with special hand towels printed with a special Atami design.

Tickets for the event are now on sale!

Escape rooms invite family and friends to solve exciting puzzles and riddles within a time limit, and have become massively popular around the world. Since the first one opened in 2007, over 8 million people in Japan have participated in one of these exciting events held everywhere from apartment buildings to amusement parks.

The Escape from Godzilla event will be held throughout the Atami Bay Resort Korakuen, and will ask players to solve mysteries throughout the hotel. Visitors will need to explore rooms and sometimes interact with hotel staff to reach the end. SCRAP, known for its numerous crossover escape games, created the project.

Atami is the setting of the decisive battle in the 1962 film King Kong vs. Godzilla. 2022 is the 60th anniversary of the film, and guests are invited to enjoy an original story and original images showing Godzilla’s attack on present-day Atami in cooperation with Toho.

Keep an eye out for more details coming later in February!

©SCRAP TM ＆ © TOHO CO., LTD.

Hoshino Resort Risonare Atami will open the Atami Plum Cafe from January 6 until March 11, 2022. Guests can experience the early arrival of spring beneath the plum blossoms, and at the cafe space on the top floor of the hotel, visitors can feast on a number of plum-inspired dishes. 

The Atami Plum Garden, located near the resort, is one of the most famous places in Japan to see plum blossoms early. The first blossoms usually open up in late November or early December, and this event will get people excited about welcoming the warmer spring months.

A false plum tree will welcome visitors to the cafe, and the ceiling will also be covered in lavender blossoms. The tables, chairs, and garlands are all themed to welcome spring, and the terrace will feature a plum-shaped kotatsu. Guests sitting beneath it can stay warm while gazing out at the vast ocean.

The Plum Gelato Plate features three varieties made with plum pulp, jam, and paste. Why not give it a try?

Plum Gelato Plate: ¥2,000 (Tax Included) *5 available per day

Onsen ryokan hot spring inn SOKI ATAMI is collaborating with Shiseido’s skin and mind brand BAUM to offer a special new accommodation plan for the spring season. SOKI ATAMI x BAUM -Fresh Verdure & Healthcare- will run from May 1, but pre-bookings are already open on SOKI ATAMI’s website.

Free gift bag to the first 100 people who make a reservation

Enjoy deep relaxation with sachets filled with natural smells like wood

A candle-lit night under the starry sky

Fresh verdure and caring for one’s health is the theme of this event which takes place deep within Atami. The plan includes the Forest Twin bedroom which is fitted with a half open-air hinoki area that faces the mountains and lets guests feel like they are surrounded by the new green leaves of spring. Rooms are also kitted out with amenities such as BAUM’s Hydro Essence Lotion which captures the essence of fresh trees and shrubs. Guests are invited to experience Atami’s hot spring culture and cuisine as they allow their mind and body to relax, ultimately benefitting their health. This season is known for its bounteous verdure and refreshing breeze, but it’s also said to help alleviate the May blues which many Japanese people experience after starting school or work again, the negative feelings of the rainy season, and more, all of which can put one’s spiritual state out of kilter. The scent of trees will rid guests of stress, nerves, and tension, and bring about relaxation, peaceful sleep, and a good detoxing.

BAUM is a skin and mind brand that helps support the strength of one’s skin by focusing attention on the water storage, growth, and environmental protection of trees and forests while showing the importance of looking after your mind and body. The brand is giving free gift bags to the first 100 people that make a reservation to show how anyone can enjoy a sustainable life using an everyday item.

On the top floor of the inn is a tearoom where guests can make their own sachets using hinoki cypress. Guests can also enjoy the Aroamtic Room Spray and Aromatic Candles provided by BAUM, all to further aid in relaxation and restoration. In the evenings, the lights will be switched off at the cafe and be replaced with candlelight which will serve as a romantic replacement to shine against the overhead backdrop of the starry night sky.

The all-new PROJECT ATAMI has been launched by AKAO ART RESIDENCE and artist support group ATAMI (ASIAN) ART GRANT.」

PROJECT ATAMI comes as a way to shine the light on the art of creators in Atami, a city in Shizuoka. It’s a chance to learn about the city and experience it using all five senses so people walk away never forgetting their Atami experience.

©️HIRO TANAKA

Kujira no Me by Maki Ohkojima, France,  2019 (Photo by Serge Koutchinsky)

©️Koichi Mitsuoka

©️Taira Ichikawa

©️Ichiro Endo, Wall Art Festival

little hong kong; a little rooftop, 2020

©️Akio Suzuki

Hiromi Miyakita ©️Yusuke Suzuki

1. AKAO ART RESIDENCE

At AKAO ART RESIDENCE, 20 artists get to stay at Hotel New Akao each year and have free reigns to create. Artists communicate with coordinators and hotel staff about their work from beginning to end throughout a period of a month. The program sees artists leaving their work bit by bit in the hopes that the hotel guests will be able to enjoy it.

Participating Artists

HIRO TANAKA, Maki Ohkojima, Mitsuoka Koichi, Taira Ichikawa (Term 1: March-April)

Ichiro Endo, Akio Suzuki, Hiromi Miyakata, 花坊 (Term 2: May-June)

2. ATAMI (ASIAN) ART GRANT

ATAMI (ASIAN) ART GRANT is providing 30 artists with funds raised through sponsorship, donations, and crowdfunding, and will invite them to Atami in November. There, they will be asked to draw murals which will be installed around the city.

Ichigo BonBonBERRY ATAMIHOUSE. is the first cafe to open in Atami specialising exclusively in strawberry desserts. This Christmas, the cafe is serving up a new Christmas cake, winter afternoon tea set, and strawberry milk beverage, all of which hit the menu on Friday (December 4).

Hitorijime Christmas Cake | ¥1,000 (Before Tax) *Comes with drink

A dreamy Christmas cake for one loaded with cream and sweet strawberries. There’s a strawberry on top and more in the middle squished between soft sponge.

Winter Afternoon Set | ¥1,200 (Before Tax)

The cafe has turned its popular afternoon tea into a wintertime version for Christmas, served with a mini bavarois in the shape of a strawberry, strawberry ice cream, melty fondant chocolate, and a rum raisin chocolate tiramisu. A delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and rich flavours.

Hot Strawberry Milk | ¥400 (Before Tax)

A hot strawberry milk to feel cosy in the cold winter weather, topped with plenty of cream and a sprinkling of strawberry powder. Enjoy it as it is or mix together for a creamier beverage.

The winter menu is seasonal and so will only be available this wintertime.

SOKI ATAMI is a new hot spring accommodation set to open in the town of Koarashicho in Atami, Shizuoka, on November 1, 2020.

The town of Koarashicho is considered the annex, as it were, to Atami. SOKI ATAMI can be reached in around 40 minutes by bullet train from Shinagawa Station. The accommodation takes into account the value of Atami’s hot spring resorts and what’s on offer there. It will serve a ‘sojourn style’ of accommodation that allows you to return to yourself as you are, without any stresses, something which is enhanced thanks to being situated away from the hustle and bustle of the city in nature.

Just being yourself

The accommodation, surrounded by nature, offers a panoramic view of the ocean, and consists of a reception wing, guest room wing, and restaurant wing. In the ‘Village Garden,’ there are trees growing citrus fruits and a variety of plants and crops, showcasing the regional lifestyle and natural features.

Guest Rooms

There are 54 guest rooms in total ranging from 40㎡ to 65㎡ which can fit up to 4 people. Guests can enjoy the hot springs with all room types. TONERICO:INC. is in charge of the inter design who have given it a natural feel.

Tea Salon & Bar

The Tea Salon & Bar on the top floor overlooks Atami Bay. Guests can enjoy sipping on tea grown in Shizuoka as well as tucking into seasonal meals made using Japanese ingredients. There’s also a terrace from which guests can enjoy the firework festivals held at Atami Bay throughout the year.

Public Onsen

The public baths benefit from the changing seasons which changes up the bathing experience. The water is perfect for de-stressing, moisturising, and making your skin look beautiful.

Dining Room

In the restaurant wing is the dining room designed by age co.,ltd which has worked on many different ryokan and restaurants. Fish, vegetables, and other ingredients are all sourced locally and directly.

Atami Ginza Shopping District in Shizuoka’s seaside city of Atami is enjoying a new boom of bustling customers this year, and they’re sure to continue pouring in with the opening of its new seafood entertainment restaurant Atami Ginza Osakana Shokudo. The eatery opened its grand doors on August 8, offering fresh, flavourful seafood dishes. In the evenings, the restaurant turns into Osakana Sakaba where they serve gorgeous sake.

Atami is home to many fishing harbours, including those in Ajiro, Izuyama, and Hatsushima. Atami’s waters are a treasure trove of sea life, offering a bounty of seafood such as mackerel, salmon, shrimp, Splendid alfonsino, shellfish, and more.

The restaurant uses a previously vacant building which has been renovated for the opening. Their menu concept is “Atami nostalgia” which will fuse together traditional Atami food with new spins. Food is prepared in an open kitchen in a variety of ways including sashimi, grilled, steamed, and so on.

Splendid Alfonsino Rice Bowl – ¥2,780 (Before Tax)

The absolute must-try on their menu is their Splendid alfonsino rice bowl. It’s topped generously with huge cuts of horse mackerel, mackerel, and Splendid alfonsino, all caught fresh from neighbouring harbours.

The restaurant also serves the ginormous Japanese spider crab which is a local speciality in the city of Izu. They are kept fresh in tanks in the restaurant. In the evening, when the restaurant turns into a bar, you can have this crab served however you like: as sashimi, grilled, or even steamed. As well as fresh seafood, they also serve vegetables and other meat, all sourced locally. Tofu, desserts and other food is too.

Japan is known for its exquisite seafood. If you’re travelling to Shizuoka this summer, be sure you pay a visit to the new Atami Ginza Osakana Shokudo.

Atami Onsen Dokumanju is a Japanese-Chinese product that is made with chameleon plan and has a detoxification effect. It was released on August 8.

The chameleon plant used in this manju, a popular Japanese confection, is harvested around Japan. The manju is also made with pesticide-free red bean paste from Hyogo Prefecture as well as a small amount arrowroot from Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture. The strained bean paste is made from Hokkaido adzuki beans.

They come in an authentic Japanese box made delicately with wood from Mie Prefecture. Because each box is handmade one by one, no two are exactly the same.

Each box comes with a fortune slip to ensure good luck to each owner. The boxes are also inscribed by calligrapher Sōun Takeda.

These fancy manju make for a great Japanese style gift. Why not pick one up yourself?