Atami Onsen is within easy reach of Tokyo by train, making it a fun day trip or weekend getaway. Its location on the seashore means there's more here to do than just soak, and the market near the train station, the marina, and the waterfront all add. Maiko (Geisha in training) pose for pictures in Atami Station, and the town's hot springs lie within an easy walk.
Compared to nearby Hakone, by far the most famous onsen close to Tokyo, Atami seems to have more to offer and retains a pleasant "onsen town" vibe despite the crowds. Each of the seven major springs has a name and are marked by plaques which detail the spring's history: Seizaemon-no-Yu, for example, is named for a farmer who was scalded to death after falling into the hot water. These days (or is it just because they cool it down first?) the spring isn't nearly so hot. An aptly named "Yu Yu Bus" circles Atami, picking up and dropping off at the most popular higaeri spots.