Metal Detecting in Atami, Japan: 12 Unexpected Days by the Pacific Ocean
Three nights in Atami turned into twelve days. Beach metal detecting, hot springs, an affordable hostel and the early Atami-zakura cherry blossoms on the Pacific coast.
Sometimes the best travel experiences are the ones you never planned.
My original plan was to spend just three nights in Atami, a coastal town in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. After spending time in Tokyo, I felt I needed a change. Tokyo is fascinating, but it can also be exhausting, both mentally and financially. I wanted somewhere quieter, close to the sea, where I could slow down and enjoy a different side of Japan.
Three nights eventually turned into twelve days.
Atami: A Town of Hot Springs and History
Atami is located on the Pacific coast and has been famous for its hot springs, known as onsen, for centuries.
Its history is closely connected with Japanese samurai culture. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, visited Atami in 1604 and appreciated its hot spring waters so much that they were later transported to Edo.
Today, Atami remains a popular destination for people looking for relaxation, ocean views and traditional Japanese bathing culture.
An Unexpectedly Affordable Stay
Accommodation in Japan can be expensive, particularly in popular destinations. I found a place at BnB+ Atami Resort for approximately €10 per night. At the same time, many hotels in the area were charging around €150 per night.
It was a simple solution that allowed me to stay much longer than originally planned.
One of the things I enjoyed most was visiting the local onsen almost every day. The entrance fee was approximately 90 Czech crowns, making it an affordable way to experience one of Japan’s most characteristic traditions.
Metal Detecting on the Beach
Of course, I couldn’t leave my metal detector behind.
My mornings started very early. I usually headed to the beach between 5 and 6 a.m. and continued searching until around 9 or 10 a.m.
There is something special about detecting on a beach before the town wakes up. The atmosphere is completely different, with the sound of the Pacific Ocean and the first light of the day.
My finds included jewellery and costume jewellery. They were not necessarily spectacular treasures, but every signal and every recovered object added another small story to my time in Japan.
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For me, metal detecting is not only about the value of what I find. It is also about discovering places, exploring their surroundings and experiencing everyday life from a different perspective.
A Little Corner of Local Japan
During my stay, I also discovered a small bar on a street corner, about five minutes’ walk from the hostel.
It was a modest place on the ground floor, run by a Japanese owner who spoke English. He had been running the bar for more than twenty years and was also a motorcycle enthusiast.
There was no kitchen, just a small bar and its own atmosphere. It became one of those little places that make a stay memorable, even without being a tourist attraction.
Twelve Days I Hadn’t Planned
I originally came to Atami for only three nights. I stayed for twelve.
Sometimes travelling without a rigid plan gives you the opportunity to discover places you might otherwise overlook. Atami gave me the sea, hot springs, early mornings with my metal detector and a glimpse of everyday Japanese life away from the busy streets of Tokyo.
I also had the chance to experience the beginning of the Japanese cherry blossom season. Atami is particularly famous for its early-blooming Atami-zakura, which can flower as early as January.
These were twelve unexpected days that became a memorable part of my journey through Japan.
More videos from my travels and metal detecting adventures can be found on my YouTube channel:
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