Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 4 - Atami)
We arrived at Atami by train (covered by our JR Pass).
Was it around 5.30 PM?
We were have to stay at different hotel this time, she stayed at Kai Atami, while I stayed at Risonare Atami - I'm so envy of her.
I was told that there would be a shuttle bus from my hotel, but the schedule given didn't mention any time later than 16:30. We were trying to think of any alternative to go to our hotel while waiting for the possibility for the shuttle bus to came when we were approached by a group of adorable junior high students. They were trying to assist us to get information on the way to go to the hotel. Only one dare enough to practice his English with us while the other, mostly understand it too, but too shy to use it. We chat with them the oldest as senpai, It felt so Japanese!) and the one with best English came up with hotel address and phone. We decided to take taxi, but before leaving we took picture with them.
We went to the taxi stop and explain (in broken Japanese) that we need to go to Kai and Risonare, however both located in different part of Atami so we cannot share taxi. I google-mapped the location and it told me that it's nearer to go to the hotel via the next train station so my friend went using taxi from Atami station, while I went inside the train station to go to the next station. From the next station, I took taxi which cost me around 700 yen to reach the hotel.
The adorable kids we meet at Atami Station
Risonare Atami
I arrived at the hotel, they were giving me a check in form in Japanese. I guess most all the kanji and remember the form in the previous hotel to fill it in (challenging myself). They then explain to me that they have 2 restaurant, tonight dinner and breakfasts would be provided in their buffet restaurant, while tomorrow's dinner will be conducted at their authentic Japanese restaurant. I also ask the nearest bus stop and I tell the receptionist that I want to take the ropeway tomorrow. They also inform me that my room would be at 6th floor. This is the unique thing about the hotel, just like Kai Hakone which receptionist not lies in the 1st floor, Risonare Atami has its receptionist on its highest floor (10th floor). The restaurant lies in 3rd floor and the first floor is for the pool and onsen.They also have wall climbing on 9th floor up to 10th floor and a tree house. The room was soo wide it can fit a family (yet I'm alone there). I was given 2 bed bedroom and it has tatami room there too. The view was breathtaking because it's facing towards the sea. That night I washed my T-Shirt, my tank top, my undies in case my luggage were not delivered the next day as promised. The hotel staff also sent me a brochure to the ropeway which I want to take.
My room at Risonare Atami
The next morning I accidentally woke up at 4 AM and I captured the sun rise which was clearly visible via my room window. I really love the breakfast there, on the first day I ate tuna wakame salad, 1 croissant, grilled salmon, corn, blablabla accompanied with apple spinach juice.. yum yum! Since I don't have clothes left I wore a tanktop and my jacket (it was spring, but I think summer came early and TV news displayed all people were complaining that it was too hot that day).
Sunrise at Atami
Breakfast
After breakfast I left the hotel for sightseeing. I walk downhill until an intersection however I cannot find any sign of bus stop there. Luckily there's one lady walking down the street so I ask her where the bus stop is, and she show me that the bus stop was actually in a hotel's yard. The bus took me to Atami Station. There is a tourist information center in the station. Initially I have to go to Ito if I hadn't cancel my diving trip, and I want to go there but they said the nearest train schedule would be in the next 30 minutes. I didn't think I should waste more time, so I decided to take a look around Atami. There's a bus tour called the "yuyu bus", where you can ride the bus as many as you like for 700en. The tour guide was volunteer from local citizen explaining the tourist attraction in Japanese (which 90% of it I didn't understand ><).
First stop: Sun Beach. Since I'm alone and I'm wearing shoes I have no intention on going to the water. The sun shone brightly and it was hot (actually a perfect day to dive.. TT). After the very short visit to the beach, while waiting for the next yuyu bus to come I saw the sign informing that one of the tourist spot "Kiunkaku" was actually near by. I tried to walk there and found it, but then I was hesitate to enter the building and went back to the beach for the next yuyu bus.
View from Sun Beach
Next stop was "Nishiki-Gaura" it suppose to be a cliff with nice view. But when I stop there, probably because I was lost I could only found a restaurant with beautiful cliff view on it (it looked expensive so I won't stop there). I went to the bus stop again for the next destination: Atami Castle.
Atami Castle.
The view from the top of Atami castle was awesome, because the castle lies on the cliff you can see the city downstairs also the sea. the lower floor was filled in Kanji riddle which of course I have to skip because my Japanese haven't reach that level yet. the floor below the kanji riddle was a place for cosplay, they provide you with several costumes and properties of old Japanese. The lobby floor was filled in with old samurai outfit and replica of all castles in Japan (several of them created by match) and a souvenir shop. Sadly all the notice are in Japanese so I don't understand the story behind the costumes and the castles. We were allowed to take pictures in those area, but it was forbidden to take picture on the lowest part of the castle. The lowest part was divided into 2 section, 19+ (haha) and for children. As I cannot read kanji and at first I didn't know it was for 19+ i went to that section and I found Japanese old drawings of porn. I manage to enter until halfway, but then decided to go back because I'm not feeling comfortable with it (no, I'm not lying). Now I understand why we are not allowed to take picture there. Haha..
Atami Castle
The view from Atami Castle
Some items from the castle
Besides the castle, there was a trick art museum. I've bought ticket for both the castle and the trick art. The trick art museum was nice but it was not really a place to go when you were alone, because you need someone to take the picture for you so the art can be seen/capture.
a picture inside trick art museum
Next destination was the best place I visited in Atami: The Rose and Herbs garden.
The Rose and Herbs garden
The entrance ticket was the most expensive compare to other place (1000en) but it was worth it. Once you enter the place, you will be sent to the top of the place by shuttle bus, then you'll walk down the slope while seeing the beautiful garden on your left and right. First, they have the Japanese garden with humongous bonsai as center and the sea view next to it.
Japanese Garden
Then, on the lower part there was an English style rose garden on the left and flower gates on the right (you know, the one that a couple would love to get married under it).
English Rose Garden
flower gate
And on the lowest part there was Victorian style garden and a cafe. The cafe sold many items related to rose. Rose ice cream, rose printed umbrella, bags etc. Earlier at the Victorian garden i took picture of 2 lovely grannies which was sitting on a bench surrounded by beautiful roses. They were so kind and talk a lot in japanese, which sadly I hardly understood. It was a pity that I cannot send them the picture, etc.. and later those lovely grannies offer to treat me an ice cream which I rejected because I don't want to trouble them.
Victoria Garden
some pretty flowers at the garden
Ropeway
To get to the ropeway you have to take different bus, so i took yuyu bus to Atami station and and change to another bus there. In front of the ropeway were several dive clubs(?) and fisherman's office. The ropeway ended up in the place near the castle and somehow you can buy pass for the ropeway and adult museum on the ropeway ticket. I only bought return ticket for the ropeway (minus the adult musrum ticket). It was a short ride to the top only 15 minutes. On top there's a small stall selling drinks and taiyaki. I bought 1 angko taiyaki for lunch while seeing the beautiful city+ocean view. Too bad they only operate the ropeway until around 5PM. I believe it will be stunning to see the city night view from there. After that I returned to my hotel to found my luggage had been delivered safely in the receptionist.
Dinner and day 2
I went to dinner 5 minutes late from the appointed time in yukata (trying to make up from the schedule mess I made in Hakone during breakfast). They provide full course Japanese dinner. The restaurant attendant was already aware of my need on halal food they didn't gave me any wine or pork and I can't believe I've chosen fish over wagyu. The attendance that assist me (I'm sorry I forgot his name) was kind enough to chat with me in a very easy Japanese so I can practice my Japanese. Later that night, I wrote the report until 2AM (because it's due on the next day).
Dinner at Risonare Atami
I woke up at 8, took a bath, having breakfast and by then i meet 2 other participant. We chatted and we took a stroll to see the tree house. After that I touched up my report and packed. I call the receptionist to book me a seat for 11.30 shuttle bus. I was trying hard to left the room in its best condition so i folded the yukata that I wore and put them on its initial place, I cleaned up the bathroom, rolling up the hairdryer's cable I didn't realize it was already 11.20. I hurried up to check out. The thing is, the reception needed to check my report so that I can check out and got my JRPass reimbursed. And I do forgot to click the submit button on my report so she cannot check my report on her computer. I showed her my report on my cellphone and she got her manager to approved my report and i can check out afterwards. I felt guilty because of my bad time management, I made her panic and made other 2 guests and the shuttle bus chauffer waited for me. At that moment I promise myself to do a better time management.
Please click below to see my report for Hoshino Resort:
http://hoshinoresort.com/100stories/reports/062/
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 1 - Preparation)
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 2 - Jakarta-Narita-Odawara Station)
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 3 - Hakone)
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 5 - Tokyo-Home)
C rossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 6 - Kyoto)
Was it around 5.30 PM?
We were have to stay at different hotel this time, she stayed at Kai Atami, while I stayed at Risonare Atami - I'm so envy of her.
I was told that there would be a shuttle bus from my hotel, but the schedule given didn't mention any time later than 16:30. We were trying to think of any alternative to go to our hotel while waiting for the possibility for the shuttle bus to came when we were approached by a group of adorable junior high students. They were trying to assist us to get information on the way to go to the hotel. Only one dare enough to practice his English with us while the other, mostly understand it too, but too shy to use it. We chat with them the oldest as senpai, It felt so Japanese!) and the one with best English came up with hotel address and phone. We decided to take taxi, but before leaving we took picture with them.
We went to the taxi stop and explain (in broken Japanese) that we need to go to Kai and Risonare, however both located in different part of Atami so we cannot share taxi. I google-mapped the location and it told me that it's nearer to go to the hotel via the next train station so my friend went using taxi from Atami station, while I went inside the train station to go to the next station. From the next station, I took taxi which cost me around 700 yen to reach the hotel.
The adorable kids we meet at Atami Station
Risonare Atami
I arrived at the hotel, they were giving me a check in form in Japanese. I guess most all the kanji and remember the form in the previous hotel to fill it in (challenging myself). They then explain to me that they have 2 restaurant, tonight dinner and breakfasts would be provided in their buffet restaurant, while tomorrow's dinner will be conducted at their authentic Japanese restaurant. I also ask the nearest bus stop and I tell the receptionist that I want to take the ropeway tomorrow. They also inform me that my room would be at 6th floor. This is the unique thing about the hotel, just like Kai Hakone which receptionist not lies in the 1st floor, Risonare Atami has its receptionist on its highest floor (10th floor). The restaurant lies in 3rd floor and the first floor is for the pool and onsen.They also have wall climbing on 9th floor up to 10th floor and a tree house. The room was soo wide it can fit a family (yet I'm alone there). I was given 2 bed bedroom and it has tatami room there too. The view was breathtaking because it's facing towards the sea. That night I washed my T-Shirt, my tank top, my undies in case my luggage were not delivered the next day as promised. The hotel staff also sent me a brochure to the ropeway which I want to take.
Click to viewMy room at Risonare Atami
The next morning I accidentally woke up at 4 AM and I captured the sun rise which was clearly visible via my room window. I really love the breakfast there, on the first day I ate tuna wakame salad, 1 croissant, grilled salmon, corn, blablabla accompanied with apple spinach juice.. yum yum! Since I don't have clothes left I wore a tanktop and my jacket (it was spring, but I think summer came early and TV news displayed all people were complaining that it was too hot that day).
Sunrise at Atami
Breakfast
After breakfast I left the hotel for sightseeing. I walk downhill until an intersection however I cannot find any sign of bus stop there. Luckily there's one lady walking down the street so I ask her where the bus stop is, and she show me that the bus stop was actually in a hotel's yard. The bus took me to Atami Station. There is a tourist information center in the station. Initially I have to go to Ito if I hadn't cancel my diving trip, and I want to go there but they said the nearest train schedule would be in the next 30 minutes. I didn't think I should waste more time, so I decided to take a look around Atami. There's a bus tour called the "yuyu bus", where you can ride the bus as many as you like for 700en. The tour guide was volunteer from local citizen explaining the tourist attraction in Japanese (which 90% of it I didn't understand ><).
First stop: Sun Beach. Since I'm alone and I'm wearing shoes I have no intention on going to the water. The sun shone brightly and it was hot (actually a perfect day to dive.. TT). After the very short visit to the beach, while waiting for the next yuyu bus to come I saw the sign informing that one of the tourist spot "Kiunkaku" was actually near by. I tried to walk there and found it, but then I was hesitate to enter the building and went back to the beach for the next yuyu bus.
View from Sun Beach
Next stop was "Nishiki-Gaura" it suppose to be a cliff with nice view. But when I stop there, probably because I was lost I could only found a restaurant with beautiful cliff view on it (it looked expensive so I won't stop there). I went to the bus stop again for the next destination: Atami Castle.
Atami Castle.
The view from the top of Atami castle was awesome, because the castle lies on the cliff you can see the city downstairs also the sea. the lower floor was filled in Kanji riddle which of course I have to skip because my Japanese haven't reach that level yet. the floor below the kanji riddle was a place for cosplay, they provide you with several costumes and properties of old Japanese. The lobby floor was filled in with old samurai outfit and replica of all castles in Japan (several of them created by match) and a souvenir shop. Sadly all the notice are in Japanese so I don't understand the story behind the costumes and the castles. We were allowed to take pictures in those area, but it was forbidden to take picture on the lowest part of the castle. The lowest part was divided into 2 section, 19+ (haha) and for children. As I cannot read kanji and at first I didn't know it was for 19+ i went to that section and I found Japanese old drawings of porn. I manage to enter until halfway, but then decided to go back because I'm not feeling comfortable with it (no, I'm not lying). Now I understand why we are not allowed to take picture there. Haha..
Atami Castle
The view from Atami Castle
Some items from the castle
Besides the castle, there was a trick art museum. I've bought ticket for both the castle and the trick art. The trick art museum was nice but it was not really a place to go when you were alone, because you need someone to take the picture for you so the art can be seen/capture.
a picture inside trick art museum
Next destination was the best place I visited in Atami: The Rose and Herbs garden.
The Rose and Herbs garden
The entrance ticket was the most expensive compare to other place (1000en) but it was worth it. Once you enter the place, you will be sent to the top of the place by shuttle bus, then you'll walk down the slope while seeing the beautiful garden on your left and right. First, they have the Japanese garden with humongous bonsai as center and the sea view next to it.
Japanese Garden
Then, on the lower part there was an English style rose garden on the left and flower gates on the right (you know, the one that a couple would love to get married under it).
English Rose Garden
flower gate
And on the lowest part there was Victorian style garden and a cafe. The cafe sold many items related to rose. Rose ice cream, rose printed umbrella, bags etc. Earlier at the Victorian garden i took picture of 2 lovely grannies which was sitting on a bench surrounded by beautiful roses. They were so kind and talk a lot in japanese, which sadly I hardly understood. It was a pity that I cannot send them the picture, etc.. and later those lovely grannies offer to treat me an ice cream which I rejected because I don't want to trouble them.
Victoria Garden
some pretty flowers at the garden
Ropeway
To get to the ropeway you have to take different bus, so i took yuyu bus to Atami station and and change to another bus there. In front of the ropeway were several dive clubs(?) and fisherman's office. The ropeway ended up in the place near the castle and somehow you can buy pass for the ropeway and adult museum on the ropeway ticket. I only bought return ticket for the ropeway (minus the adult musrum ticket). It was a short ride to the top only 15 minutes. On top there's a small stall selling drinks and taiyaki. I bought 1 angko taiyaki for lunch while seeing the beautiful city+ocean view. Too bad they only operate the ropeway until around 5PM. I believe it will be stunning to see the city night view from there. After that I returned to my hotel to found my luggage had been delivered safely in the receptionist.
Dinner and day 2
I went to dinner 5 minutes late from the appointed time in yukata (trying to make up from the schedule mess I made in Hakone during breakfast). They provide full course Japanese dinner. The restaurant attendant was already aware of my need on halal food they didn't gave me any wine or pork and I can't believe I've chosen fish over wagyu. The attendance that assist me (I'm sorry I forgot his name) was kind enough to chat with me in a very easy Japanese so I can practice my Japanese. Later that night, I wrote the report until 2AM (because it's due on the next day).
Dinner at Risonare Atami
I woke up at 8, took a bath, having breakfast and by then i meet 2 other participant. We chatted and we took a stroll to see the tree house. After that I touched up my report and packed. I call the receptionist to book me a seat for 11.30 shuttle bus. I was trying hard to left the room in its best condition so i folded the yukata that I wore and put them on its initial place, I cleaned up the bathroom, rolling up the hairdryer's cable I didn't realize it was already 11.20. I hurried up to check out. The thing is, the reception needed to check my report so that I can check out and got my JRPass reimbursed. And I do forgot to click the submit button on my report so she cannot check my report on her computer. I showed her my report on my cellphone and she got her manager to approved my report and i can check out afterwards. I felt guilty because of my bad time management, I made her panic and made other 2 guests and the shuttle bus chauffer waited for me. At that moment I promise myself to do a better time management.
Please click below to see my report for Hoshino Resort:
http://hoshinoresort.com/100stories/reports/062/
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 1 - Preparation)
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 2 - Jakarta-Narita-Odawara Station)
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 3 - Hakone)
Crossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 5 - Tokyo-Home)
C rossing the Big Dream Out of My List with Garuda Indonesia (Part 6 - Kyoto)