The name Atami literally means "hot sea". The saltwater hot springs here have been famous for centuries for its healing properties.
Today's Atami sits on the crater of an extinct volcano, with a beach in the city centre and a long waterfront promenade around it. It is nicely manicured, clean as usual because it is Japan, with a line of palm trees to give you a tropical resort feel.
The city stretches north to south so you will likely be near the waterfront as you travel between the train station and the castle. There is also a ferry port here to Hatsushima, where you can see Mount Fuji together with the skyline.
