Atami

Although the journey took a long time, there was no need to worry about transportation arrangements. Our tour guide, Xiao Zhang, provided excellent service. Fortunately, everyone in the group was punctual, and we returned to Shinjuku an hour early at 10:30 PM, so there was no need to worry about not having a train.

You buy an entrance ticket and get a bus ride all the way to the top. (Apparently you can get on anywhere by raising your hand, and you can get off anywhere too.) The view from the cafe at the top was amazing. It was a clear day, so it was blue as far as the eye could see. There were also plenty of swings and photo spots, which was great. They lend out parasols, so you don't need to worry if you don't have one. Some of the paths are quite overgrown with grass, so long pants or a skirt might be a good idea. I sprained my ankle because I couldn't see the path! The staff at the entrance helped me out in various ways. Everyone was very kind. For food, the all-you-can-eat Italian restaurant near the entrance was great. I think it would be even better if there were more types of pasta. I didn't get to walk around as much as I wanted, so I'd like to go again in the winter. (In the summer, photos might be dark due to backlighting. I wonder what it's like in winter...)

We attended the Mt. Omuro and Atami fireworks displays on July 20th. It was the last day of Japan's three-day weekend, and we expected huge crowds and traffic jams. Thankfully, the day went smoothly, and everything went as planned! Many thanks to our experienced guide, Serina, who provided helpful tips that saved us unnecessary time! The Mt. Omuro cable car ride is definitely worth it; it only takes 5-8 minutes from the foot of the mountain to the summit—very short, but the air was filled with the refreshing scent of grass! For the Atami fireworks, Serina pointed out the best viewing spots. The sea breeze was refreshing, and seeing the magnificent fireworks up close was incredibly beautiful and breathtaking! Although it wasn't perfect due to traffic and the intense heat, thankfully the tour bus had good air conditioning! I highly recommend this tour!

Beyond the exhibits themselves, the architecture of this place, starting from the entrance, has a religious feel to it, making it a place I would like to visit at least once.