＊This article is an English translation of the “熱海のfuuaは絶景の露天風呂がすごい！夫婦で行ってみた！” article.
Fuua in Atami is a day-use hot spring facility that opened on July 31, 2019 inside the Atami Kouraku-en Hotel premises. However, it’s not just an ordinary day-use hot spring facility – it offers open-air baths with breathtakingly beautiful ocean views that will leave an unforgettable memory.
The admission fee of 2,500 yen (2,800 yen on holidays) is on the higher side, but it’s worth it. Not only do they have stunning open-air baths, but the relaxation rooms are also incredibly comfortable. Since Fuua is located within the Atami Kouraku-en Hotel, make sure to head to the Atami Kouraku-en Hotel.
Today, I will share my experience of visiting Fuua with my spouse.
The view from the open-air baths at Fuua is breathtakingly beautiful!
The following photos are not mine, but rather quoted from the official website of Kouraku-en Hotel. (You get scolded for taking pictures in the open-air baths!)
Please take a look at their official website. The videos there also showcase the magnificence of these open-air baths.
At Fuua, not only do they have these spectacular open-air baths, but the interior facilities are also brand new and very beautiful. Here are some interior photos I took myself.
Now, let me explain how to get to Fuua and its attractions from the perspective of a married couple’s experience.
Fuua has a free shuttle bus from Atami Station!
The free shuttle bus from Atami Station is very convenient. Take the bus headed to Atami Kouraku-en Hotel, as Fuua is part of the Atami Kouraku-en Hotel facilities.
The free shuttle bus stop is located past the rotary behind Atami Station, in front of McDonald’s and Family Mart. See the photo below.
◆ The bus stop is around the Family Mart area
The bus schedule is very straightforward, with buses leaving every hour at 0 minutes or 30 minutes past the hour, but it’s best to check the timetable just in case. Please enlarge the image below.
The left side shows the schedule from Atami Station to Fuua (Atami Kouraku-en Hotel), and the right side shows the schedule from Fuua (Atami Kouraku-en Hotel) to Atami Station, so be careful not to mix them up.
On the day we went, we didn’t have much time, so we took a taxi, which cost 1,350 yen one way. Taking a taxi is a bit more expensive.
This is the front of Atami Kouraku-en Hotel.
There’s a parking lot if you’re coming by car!
The hotel has its own parking lot. According to the sign, the first 30 minutes are free, and then it’s 500 yen for every 30 minutes after that. Do hotel guests get a discounted rate? We didn’t come by car, so we’re not sure, but please keep this in mind as a reference.
Also, is this a separate parking lot from the hotel? We saw a multi-story parking structure like the one below, but please inquire about the details on-site.
Fuua’s entrance is beautiful!
The entrance to Fuua is located towards the right rear of Kouraku-en Hotel.
At night, it’s illuminated like this.
It has a rather elegant feel.
Don’t bring suitcases inside, use the coin lockers outside instead!
If you have large baggage like suitcases, the front desk may be able to hold it for you, but there are sizeable coin lockers near the entrance, so it’s better to use those. Just don’t forget to retrieve your belongings when leaving!
Now, let’s head inside.
Once inside, take the escalator up to the second floor.
You’ll see the reception desk.
There are coin lockers for shoes, so first check your shoes in there. It’s free. Just be careful not to lose the key!
Take off your shoes here.
There are plenty of shoe lockers to choose from.
The shoe locker keys have an IC chip, and you tap them on the gate to unlock.
Check in at the reception desk. Staff will guide you through the fees using a tablet.
The fees are on the higher side, as follows:
・Adults: 2,500 yen
・Children up to elementary school: 1,800 yen
・After 5pm rate: 1,500 yen (adults)
Plus, there’s an additional 300 yen charge on holidays. For two adults, it comes out to 5,600 yen, which is quite pricey. However, the open-air baths are truly amazing! The night views and stargazing are beautiful too, so going with the after 5pm rate would be more affordable!
Payment is made upon leaving. Until then, you’re issued this wristband to keep track. It’s a common system used at modern hot spring facilities nowadays. I also used mine to pay for things like lemon sours inside and settled the total bill at the end.
You must wear the provided robes inside! Free size robes run small!
You have to wear the provided robes inside the facility.
When I borrowed a free size robe, it was too tight for me as I’m on the larger side, so bigger guys should be careful.
For larger men, request the 2L size robe instead of the free size, as the free size is too small.
At the reception, you’re given a bag containing:
・The robe
・A large and small towel
・A towel for the stone spa
We’re not big fans of stone spas, so we used that towel as a blanket instead.
After checking in, men go to the 5th floor and women to the 7th.
The men’s locker room is on the 5th floor, women’s on the 7th.
Look for the locker number that matches your wristband. I was searching for #1117.
There are plenty of lockers.
This is my locker! It’s quite spacious. Even though I had a large down jacket and bag in winter, they both fit comfortably!
Plus, the inside of the locker door has two small compartments, which is handy for storing wallets and phones.
The wristband key locks and unlocks the locker.
Time for the baths!
The open-air bath is breathtakingly scenic!
Since no photos are allowed in the open-air bath area, please refer back to the earlier pictures.
It’s a bit of a shame you can’t take pictures, but this open-air bath has the temperature set on the lower side, so you can soak for as long as you like. And it’s quite deep, accommodating a good number of people.
Unfortunately, if there are noisy group guests chattering away, it’s best to time your entry or move away from them.
Aside from the open-air bath, they also have a sauna, jet bath, cold bath, and more. And of course, the grooming stations are always kept very clean by staff!
There are grooming stations outside the baths too!
After exiting the baths (near the lockers), there are grooming stations set up with amenities like face lotion provided.
The restrooms are also very spacious and clean.
Near the lockers, there are seated resting areas perfect for cooling down after the baths.
You can even buy juices and water by the lockers.
Relax on the 3rd and 4th floors after bathing!
At Fuua, it’s not just about the open-air baths. They have numerous relaxation rooms that provide an incredibly comfortable atmosphere. By the way, you must be barefoot inside the facility.
To move between the 3rd to 7th floors, you primarily use the elevators.
They even have private kotatsu (heated table) rooms you can use freely!
And unique sofa pits like this! Perfect for couples.
I relaxed here as well.
Food and drinks are available inside
On the 3rd floor, you can purchase light meals, alcoholic beverages, and desserts.
Everything is paid for via the wristband, which is convenient, but be careful not to overspend!
I bought a lemon sour. Unfortunately, the alcoholic drink selection is quite limited.
Work vacation? You can work here too!
With the Wi-Fi available inside, you can do work on your laptop. I noticed several young people had brought their computers.
However, power outlets are somewhat scarce. You’ll need to figure out charging options. Here’s a power source I found to charge my phone.
There’s a buffet restaurant too!
We didn’t go this time, but there’s a buffet restaurant starting from the 2nd floor. I’ve been before, and they use quite high-end ingredients like fresh seafood and mountain vegetables – it was delicious.
Currently due to COVID, they’re only offering an a la carte menu.
Stone spa is available too
My spouse and I aren’t big fans of heat, so we skipped the stone spa, but they do have excellent stone spa facilities.
Smoking room for smokers
Smoking is allowed in the designated room below. We’re non-smokers.
Pay all charges at once at the machine!
After relaxing for about 3 hours, it was time for us to leave.
On the way out, you change at the lockers, scan your wristband on the machine to pay the total charges – admission fee, any food/drink purchases, etc. – all at once. It’s convenient that credit cards are accepted.
After paying, a QR code printout comes out. Scan that at the gate reader, and the gate will open.
While waiting for the bus, there’s a souvenir shop by the exit to kill some time. However, it was closed on the day we went due to COVID. The famous “Atami Pudding” that has long lines in Atami Station is actually available here with no wait. You can also purchase it inside the facility.
That said, the taste of Atami Pudding is just average in my opinion as a former Atami resident. For true Atami locals, the quintessential pudding is from “Sumiyoshiya.” It’s absolutely divine, so try to find it if you can. Their shop is located in the Atami Ginza area near Atami Sunbeach.
Fewer buses after 7pm, be careful!
After 7pm, there are fewer free shuttle buses running, so please check the schedule.
On the way back, after 7pm there are no buses at the :30 mark, only :00. We mistakenly tried to catch the 7:30pm bus that day, but there wasn’t one, so we ended up taking a taxi back.
In Closing
Fuua’s open-air baths offer views that are among the best not just in Atami, but in all of Japan. While the admission fee is on the pricier side, I think it’s worth experiencing. Weekdays tend to be less crowded and cheaper, which I recommend.
There are often quite a few loud, chattery people at the baths too.
I suggest visiting Fuua after sightseeing around Atami, as the last stop. By taking the free shuttle back to Atami Station, you can head straight home while still feeling nicely warmed up!
