Atami Castle (熱海城) is located in the city of Atami, at the entrance of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. Despite its medieval appearance, it is the newest castle in Japan, built in 1959 purely for tourism.
Perched 120 meters above the sea, it primarily serves as an observation tower offering panoramic views of Sagami Bay and the city of Atami. In addition to its role as an observatory, the castle houses a museum dedicated to the Edo period (1603-1868), an exhibition of erotic prints, and nearby, a trick art museum.
The best times to visit Atami Castle are spring, for its cherry blossoms, and summer, for the fireworks that light up the bay.
What is the History of Atami Castle ?
Unlike many Japanese castles rebuilt to preserve medieval heritage, Atami Castle is a modern concrete construction from 1959. There was never a castle at this location before.
During a period of tourist expansion, Atami decided to build this castle to provide an unparalleled view of Sagami Bay. The castle's exterior is decorated in the "Momoyama" style (1573-1603), characterized by large keeps (Tenshû) surrounded by gardens and small fortifications, all encircled by stone walls and moats.
What to see in Atami Castle ?
Atami Castle offers seven publicly accessible floors:
Basement: Game Room
The basement is dedicated to video games, featuring an arcade. Although modest, this game room can entertain the younger visitors while you explore the other floors.
Ground Floor: Souvenir Shop, Armor, and Foot Bath
The ground floor hosts the ticket office, a souvenir shop, and an exhibition of Edo-era armor and swords. Don't forget to print your discount coupon for entry.
Outside, there's a free foot bath on the terrace. If you don't have a towel for the foot bath, you can purchase one from a vending machine for 100 yen (~0.80 €). The souvenir shop offers cakes and items related to the Edo period.
First Floor: Japanese Castle Models
This floor showcases models of Japan's most beautiful castles, such as Osaka, Nagoya, Himeji, and Matsumoto, all made with matchsticks. The largest model contains 40,000 matchsticks.
Second Floor: Erotic Prints
This floor is dedicated to the erotic ukiyo-e prints by Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797-1861), an artist who combined eroticism, fantasy, and humor in his works. The exhibition features rare prints, including anthropomorphic images.
Third Floor: Edo Period Puzzles
Rebus puzzles were a popular intellectual amusement during the Edo period. This exhibition features various rebus puzzles, from simple to complex. For French speakers, these Japanese word puzzles can be challenging without a good grasp of the language.
Fourth Floor: Edo Experience
This interactive floor lets you travel back to the Edo period. You can try on period costumes and accessories, like water-carrying buckets, perfect for fun photos.
Fifth Floor: 360° Observatory
The main attraction of the castle is the sixth floor observatory. It offers a 360-degree panoramic view 160 meters above the sea, providing the best view of Atami city and the entrance to the Izu Peninsula. On sunny days, the panorama is spectacular.
Trick Art Museum
Next to the castle, you'll find the Trick Art Museum, featuring impressive optical illusions. A combined ticket for the castle and museum is available, offering a rich and entertaining experience.
Is It Worth a Visit?
For foreign tourists exploring the Izu Peninsula, Atami city is an interesting stop, though it doesn't offer a multitude of attractions.
If you have the time, visiting Atami Castle can be a pleasant detour, even if it's not a must-see.
The view from the castle is beautiful, but the other floors might be less engaging, especially if you plan to visit more comprehensive museums like the Edo-Tôkyô Museum.
