Atami

City in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, 90 km/56 mi southwest of Tokyo; population (1995 est) 45,600. Situated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park facing Sagami Bay, Atami has been a resort since the 8th century. The city, which has been nicknamed the ‘Riviera of Japan’, benefits from a mild climate and numerous hot springs, and is one of Japan's most visited resorts. Tourism was encouraged by the introduction of rail links in 1934 and the ‘bullet train’ in 1964.

Standing on the northeastern coast of the Izu peninsula and ringed by mountains on three sides, Atami is built in the crater of the extinct volcano of Mount Atami, half of which collapsed into the sea.

Local attractions include the Atami Tropical Garden, which has many species of tropical plants and fish, and the MOA museum, which has a notable collection of Japanese sculpture and painting.