Take some time to stroll around the 1,200 year old historical “Atsumi Onsen”. Make the experience more traditional by putting on a traditional Japanese summer kimono, “yukata”.
There are even special benefits for guests who wear the yukata as well. There’s no way missing them! Here I will be introducing Atsumi onsen with a little more focus on the “Yukata Tour”.

Participating in the “Yukata Tour” is very easy. When you check in at your inn, choose your favorite yukata. You might get a little overwhelmed by the amount of various colored yukatas available. After changing clothes, get a “Yukata Tour Map” and a drawstring purse at the front desk and you’re ready to go. Don’t forget that the purse contains 3 “Ohajiki” which are marbles that can be exchanged for special benefits.
The main street of Atsumi Onsen is “Kajika Dori”, and it is recommended to take a walk along the Atsumi River that runs through the hot spring town. With sound of the river flowing, you can enjoy the atmosphere of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves depending on the season.
As you walk, you may find that there are many benches and flower pots along the street (except during the winter months). This is an initiative started by a community development group to convey the feeling of hospitality even on the streets. They started this so that anyone who visits can feel welcomed.
Atsumi Onsen’s shopping street is not too long, with only a distance of less than 1km from one end to the other. It’s just the right distance for a stroll down the streets.
If you participate in the “Yukata Tour”, you can receive various benefits at certain stores, so while on your stroll take a little detour and stop by some of the shops that may interests you! Full of great deals such as tasting of local sake and craft wine, special discounts, and gifts of limited items. And above all, you can enjoy talking with the locals, the best part of traveling!
Atsumi Onsen has a hot spring shrine. Hot water is indispensable for people living in this area, and it has not changed since 1,200 years ago when it was first opened. Why not stop by the shrine to thank the ancestors who made this happen??
“Atsumi Onsen Rose Garden” is the only rose garden in Shonai. From June to October, about 90 species and 3,000 beautiful colorful roses bloom. We recommend the “Rose Tunnel”. Heal your body by wrapping yourself with the aroma of roses.
The rose garden is located in the precincts of Atsumi-dake Kumano Shrine, and is located on a hill overlooking the hot spring town. The view from here is a must! It seems that there is a rose, called “the rose of the lord”, that was handed over from the Sakai family, the lord of Tsuruoka, so try looking for it!
The rose-shaped ice creams at the” Rose Garden Cafe “, which is open for a limited period near the rose garden in the hot spring town, is very popular because of it being very realistic. They are also popular as photogenic sweets.
The owner, Mr. Enomoto, started the shop with the desire to have many people visit his favorite rose garden.
The open space of the woody shop in the park is also a must. It is one of the places you definitely want to stop by during your stroll.
There are three foot baths at Atsumi Onsen. Each has its own characteristics,”Mokkeyu”, where the river spreads out right below you, ”Anbeyu”, where you can relax in the middle of the road, and “Mossheyu”, which is attached to the cafe. You can choose which one you would like depending on your mood.
I think that foot baths nationwide usually have a roof, but the ones in Atsumi Onsen has no roof. The idea is to maximize the view from the hot spring town and the open space.
Yukata’s not only brightens the experience, but it is also super convenient to soak in a foot bath. Now what reason do you have to say no to a yukata stroll after reading all this!?
Night time at Atsumi Onsen is magical. If you visit during the seasonal light-up period, you can see a different side of Atsumi Onsen, which is a little different from the daytime. Enjoy a nice hot spring town stroll twice in a day while listening to the sounds of the river flowing.