Is Atami Fireworks Festival Expensive? 5 Tips to Save Money at Toyoko INN Atami Ekimae! ๐๐จ
Your ultimate guide to staying at Toyoko INN Atami Ekimae without breaking the bank ๐
Hello everyone~Itโs Hattie ๐ If youโre planning a trip to Japan, youโve probably seen those insane photos of the Atami Maritime Fireworks Festival. It is arguably one of the most iconic sights in the Kanto region, and honestly? It lives up to the hype. But hereโs the tea: most people try to squeeze it into a day trip from Tokyo. ๐ Don’t do that to yourself. ๐
The trains after the fireworks are a literal nightmare (think sardines in a tin, but with more sweat). Iโm a “slow travel” kind of girlโI want to wander through the alleys, grab a late-night snack, and wake up to the ocean breeze without rushing. So, I decided to stay overnight!
Now, Atami is known for its gorgeous (and very expensive) luxury Ryokans. But if youโre like me and plan on spending 90% of your time exploring and eating your weight in seafood, why drop $500 on a room youโll only sleep in for 7 hours? Enter: Toyoko INN Atami Ekimae. Itโs budget, itโs basic, and itโs a total lifesaver.
๐ Check the latest rates and availability at Toyoko INN Atami Ekimae here!
๐ The “Oops, I Booked Late” Survival Guide
Okay, full transparency: I totally dropped the ball on booking๐ญ If you want to stay in Atami during a fireworks weekend, you need to book months in advance. By the time I checked, every “aesthetic” boutique hotel was sold out or priced like a luxury villa in Malibu.
Luckily, Toyoko INN still had rooms! Since I was traveling with my family (two adults and one kiddo), and they were out of family suites, we grabbed two single rooms. The total came to about 26,950 JPY (roughly $170 USD). For a festival night in a prime tourist town? That is a total steal! Seriously, thatโs like the price of a mediocre brunch in NYC, but for a whole nightโs sleep in Japan. ๐ธ
๐ Location & Vibes: Close Enough to Touch the Station
The #1 reason to stay here? Location, location, location. The hotel is a tiny 4-minute walk from the JR Atami Station exit. If youโre hauling a massive suitcase or chasing a toddler (or both!), this proximity is a literal godsend. ๐จ Thereโs a FamilyMart right around the corner for your midnight 7-Eleven egg sando and Highball fix.
A quick “Heads Up” for my sensitive babes: The hotel is located near some businesses related to the funeral industry. If that gives you the “ick” or youโre super sensitive to “spiritual vibes,” you might want to reconsider. But honestly? In Japan, these places are so clean, quiet, and respectful that we didn’t feel weird at all. The convenience totally outweighed the neighbors!
Walking to the Fireworks:
Itโs about a 15-minute walk down to the beach where the fireworks happen.
โข Going there: Easy peasy! Itโs all downhill. Youโll walk right through the super cute Heiwa-dori Shopping Street ๐ก.
โข Coming back: Brace yourselves… itโs all uphill. ๐ But hey, after all that street food, the climb is basically a free workout, right? Walking back with the festival crowds actually feels like a big community parade, which is kind of fun in its own way!
๐ Room Tour: Did I Smell the “Old Man” Scent?
Letโs address the elephant in the room. Before I booked, I saw some reviews on Booking.com (where it has a 7.5 ratingโa bit low for Japan!) mentioning an “old man smell.” ๐ I was literally dying laughing but also low-key terrified. Is that a specific perfume? A vibe?
The Verdict: I smelled… absolutely nothing. Just the scent of a clean, standard hotel room! โจ Itโs definitely a bit “vintage” in terms of decor (think 90s office chic), but it was spotless.m
For a single room, I was actually impressed by the layout:
1. The Vanity: Thereโs a proper desk and chair! I could actually sit down and do my makeup without standing in a cramped bathroom or using my phone camera as a mirror. ๐
2. Luggage Space: I could fully open my large suitcase and still have a path to walk to the bathroom. In Japan, thatโs basically a ballroom! ๐
3. The Bathroom: Standard Japanese unit bathโsuper clean, great water pressure, and yes, it has a tub! It was perfect for rinsing the beach sand off our toes and scrubbing the picnic mat after the show. ๐งผ
The Surprise Feature: One of our rooms had a view of the train tracks! My kid was obsessed with watching the Shinkansen and local trains zoom by. ๐ Note to light sleepers: You will hear the trains, and the wall clocks have a very distinct “tick-tock” sound. If youโre a light sleeper, bring your noise-canceling headphones or some earplugs! ๐คซ
๐ See more room photos and read the latest guest reviews here!
๐ฅ Free Breakfast & The “Elevator Wars”
Toyoko INN is famous for its Free Breakfast. Itโs served right in the lobby. Don’t expect a 5-star brunch with avocado toast, but itโs solid!
Think: Onigiri (rice balls), miso soup, some Japanese side dishes, and bread. On festival days, it gets CROWDED. ๐ฅข Youโll likely have to wait in a bit of a line. I wasn’t super hungry, so I just grabbed a coffee to wake up my soul. โ๏ธ Pro-tip: The juice and the best snacks go fast, so get down there early if youโre hungry!
Other Amenities:
โข Laundry Room: Perfect for washing those sandy clothes immediately. ๐งบ
โข Vending Machines & Ice: Because a cold beer after a hot day is mandatory. ๐บ
The Ultimate Struggle: There is ONLY ONE ELEVATOR for the whole building. ๐ At check-out time, it is a battlefield. The elevator stops at every floor and is always full. I waited for three rounds and almost lost my mind.
Finally, a super sweet Japanese cleaning lady saw me struggling with my bags and literally helped me carry them down the stairs. ๐ฅน I was so touched! That kind of hospitality is exactly why I love traveling in Japan.
๐ Hattieโs Final Verdict: Worth the Stay?
Looking back, Iโm so glad I stayed at Toyoko INN Atami Ekimae. Is it a luxury spa retreat? No. Is it the perfect home base for a fun, chaotic fireworks weekend? 100% yes. If youโre a traveler who wants to save your coins for a massive sashimi platter and shopping, this is your spot. You get a clean bed, a 4-minute walk to the train, and you don’t have to deal with the post-fireworks train commute from hell.
๐ The Quick Breakdown
โข Pros: Super affordable, literally next to the station, free breakfast, right by the shopping street.
โข Cons: Near funeral-related businesses, train noise, the “One Elevator” nightmare.
๐โโ๏ธ Stay here if:
โข Youโre a solo traveler or on a business trip.
โข You want to maximize your budget for food and activities. ๐ฐ
โข You hate walking long distances with luggage.
๐ โโ๏ธ Skip this if:
โข You want a “luxury” Ryokan experience with an in-room onsen.
โข Youโre super sensitive to the “vibe” of the surrounding area.
โข Youโre traveling with seniors who can’t handle the uphill walk back from the beach.
I hope this helps you plan your Atami adventure! If youโre heading there soon, make sure to check the room availability ASAPโdon’t be like me and wait until the last minute! ๐งกโจ
๐ Book your room at Toyoko INN Atami Ekimae now before it sells out!
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