Over 2100-year-old camphor tree in a fashionable shrine ,and Atami Plum Garden

Over 2100-year-old camphor tree in a fashionable shrine ,and Atami Plum Garden

Hello. Today, I’m in Atami. I’m planning to walk to Kinomiya Shrine and then to Atami Plum Garden. But before that, let’s go to the footbath. Actually, I just went to see the Atami cherry blossoms on the Itokawa promenade, which is about a 15-minute walk from here.

I’ve been walking for over an hour already. I thought it was a little lukewarm, but the staff raised the temperature. Apparently, if all the surrounding hotels use the hot spring source at the same time, the temperature of the hot water will drop. . .

A footbath is the best after getting tired from walking. The stained glass window depicting plum blossoms is wonderful. Now, let’s go see real plums! Apparently this SL was actually running about 100 years ago. This is Atami. It is now a very popular tourist destination among young people.

There was once a time when people thought of Atami as their honeymoon destination. Many villas, resort condominiums, and company retreats were built. It has the ocean, mountains, hot springs, and is close to Tokyo. Even the Shinkansen stops. In the past, Atami was undoubtedly Japan’s leading tourist destination.

However, with the bursting of the bubble economy, the number of tourists decreased dramatically. Everyone thought that Atami was over, but about five years ago it made a miraculous comeback. It has transformed into a fashionable tourist destination.

About 10 years ago, no one could have imagined that it would become so fashionable and that so many young people would come. Perhaps those who were working hard to revitalize Atami back then did not expect it to reach this level. Compared to before, the number of young people has increased.

Long lines form at popular shops. More people come because TV shows introduce it. This time, there was a hand bath instead of a foot bath. A bit of exciting heat. . . I think young people must be able to enjoy hot springs with this. . . .

There is also a long line for the famous Atami pudding. There is a reason why Atami is often featured on TV programs. . . Atami City actively supports filming locations for TV programs. “King’s Brunch” and “Hirunandesu” are often filmed in Atami. Atami City’s strategy seems to have worked.

The tourism department at city hall is working hard. I wonder if young people are interested in Karasumi. It seems like there was a fire somewhere. It is in the direction of Kinomiya Shrine… 8 minutes walk from here.

It’s a 20 minute walk from Atami Station to Kinomiya Shrine, but about half of it is a shopping street, so it doesn’t feel like you’ve walked that much. I didn’t know there were fire hydrants on the road.

I can see smoke, but I don’t know if it’s the source of the fire. It didn’t seem like it was a big fire anyway. Arrived safely at Kinomiya Shrine. I like visiting shrines and have been to many different shrines, but this one is by far the most fashionable one.

In other words, it’s too fashionable. . . First, Inari Shrine. In addition to the main shrine, there are three smaller shrines. The torii gate is new and everything else is well maintained. Today, people at the shrine were maintaining the path.

A very fashionable shrine . . It seems more like a theme park than a shrine to me. It is said to be three camphor trees whose roots are connected. And a space where you can enjoy the sound of the river.

I went to see the Atami cherry blossoms on the Itokawa promenade in the morning, and this is the Itokawa River. There’s even a rocking chair. This shrine has many large camphor trees. Today we are looking at a large camphor tree that is over 2100 years old. The second largest camphor tree in Japan.

Spiritual place. . . This is Mitsumine Shrine. Divine water. Benzaiten, the god of entertainment and financial fortune Beautiful colored carp. The snake is a messenger of Benzaiten. Heart mark to ward off evil spirits. This is the main shrine. Now, let’s go through the fashionable path and head towards the big camphor tree.

Plants that have the meaning of “celebration” or “warding off disaster” are planted, and when you pass through the tunnel of these plants, a large camphor tree suddenly appears. . . The path is made of diatomaceous earth in consideration of rain. It’s thorough.

It’s a pity that the wind isn’t blowing, but imagine the sound of the wind. This is a large camphor tree that is over 2100 years old.

It’s unfortunate that one of the trees has been cut down, but even if one of the trees is damaged, you can still think of it as living strong. Overcoming hardships and still living strong. I feel great vitality. Let’s take a look from the observation deck.

Actually, the word “too fashionable” has the connotation that it’s not for my taste. It feels more like a theme park than a shrine, and I feel like things are overdone. It may be fine for young people, but older people may find it strange. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it.

A well-maintained facility just feels good. Besides, for a large camphor tree, that’s irrelevant. It is said that walking around this large camphor tree will extend your life by one year. I don’t believe in that kind of thing, but there’s no harm in going around, so I’ll go around once.

The age of the tree is 2100 years. I feel the power. It is easy to understand that in ancient times, people believed that gods resided in large trees. This is a “backrest bench” for viewing large camphor trees. Certainly, the large camphor tree seen from here is the best.

Power is overflowing from the large camphor tree. A very fashionable shrine The major construction work was completed about five years ago. Maybe it was a good thing that I didn’t make it half-heartedly fashionable.

The reason why the number of young people has increased in Atami may be because Kinomiya Shrine has become a “too fashionable” shrine. The second large camphor tree is over 1300 years old. Undeterred by the lightning strike, this tree continues to survive as well.

Now, let’s leave the very fashionable Kinomiya Shrine and head to Atami Plum Garden. This is not the shortest route, but a slightly more detour route that stops at Kinomiya Station. . It’s okay to take a detour. That is travel. Atami cherry blossoms are the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan.

The color is darker than Somei Yoshino. Atami cherry blossoms in full bloom. It is said that the early blooming plums are in full bloom. This route is circuitous and has many hills. If you don’t like hills, use the bus. In front of the entrance of Atami Plum Garden.

The shortest route to Kinomiya Shrine is to go straight to the right here. It takes less than 10 minutes on foot, but young people probably don’t come this far. Maybe Atami Plum Garden is not “fashionable”. I’m sure young people aren’t interested in the scent of plums.

I feel like there weren’t many young people on the Itokawa Promenade along the Atami Cherry Blossoms. However, there were many young people at the fashionable seaside park ahead. Now, let’s go to the Atami plum garden where there are no young people. The cost is 300 yen.

Atami has made a miraculous comeback, and many young people are now coming to Atami Station, the shopping district, and Kinomiya Shrine. However, as you move away from the station, there are many shuttered shops, which is a bit disappointing. This is a splendid couple pine. Stay healthy forever, a couple pine. A nice haiku.

This wax plum has a sweeter and stronger smell than plums. Right now, the early blooming plums are in full bloom, and 60% of the plum blossoms here at Atami Plum Garden are early blooming plums.

Last year, I came to the plum garden three times: January 29th, February 11th, and February 26th, but in the end I couldn’t find the best time. “Each time is good in its own way.” That’s what I eventually realized. It’s now exactly 2pm. I’m still close to the entrance to the plum garden.

From now on, we will look at waterfalls and Korean gardens, and aim for a footbath. The plum garden is surrounded by mountains, so the sun is already starting to fade. I’m in a bit of a hurry. A waterfall for viewing plum blossoms. 2:15 p.m. The sun hid behind the mountains. Atami cherry blossoms!

The plum garden is located on a mountain, so there is still some sunlight on the mountain side. Let’s go to the Korean garden. Why is there a Korean garden in Plum Garden?

In 2000, the Japan-Korea Summit was held in Atami, and the two leaders visited Atami Plum Garden and took a stroll through the park. In commemoration of this, a Korean garden was created. Friendship and Peace Monument. It is handwritten by the leaders of the time, Yoshiro Mori and Kim Dae-jung.

I have never been to Korea, but when I come here I can feel closer to Korea. Various issues are being discussed between the two countries. Problems arise because the countries are so close, and what is taught in school seems to be different in the first place.

South Korea says it is a country that will “find out the truth” and Japan is a country that “forgives and forgets.” “Forgive and forget” and “Samurai’s compassion” are not popular in Korea. I love this fountain. The first step to friendship is to like the same thing. Now, let’s go to the footbath.

This is the second time today after the one in front of the station. Of course it’s free. Towels were sold for 100 yen for people who didn’t have towels. Of course I have my towel. A footbath is the best after getting tired from walking.

Let me introduce you to the Nakayama Shinpei Memorial Museum. Shinpei Nakayama is a composer. I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t heard his songs. For nursery rhymes, it’s “Shabondama” and “Teruteru Bozu.” There are many popular songs, but the one that stands out is “Tokyo Ondo.”

“Tokyo Ondo” is always played at Bon dances in Tokyo. Yellow-flowered flax. Every year I think, “This is yellow-flowered flax,” but I forget the name after a day. I may forget the name Shinpei Nakayama, but I will never forget that song. Now, since it’s free, let’s go inside the building.

I’m not proud of it, but I love free things and old buildings. It is said that he loved this piano until his death in Atami. At first they used it as a vacation home, but as the war situation worsened during World War II, they moved to Atami.

This house was originally located in Nishiyama-cho, Atami, and was relocated there. Let’s go to the second floor. This is a relocated building, but I wonder what kind of scenery of Atami he saw from this window in his later years.

Today I went to Kinomiya Shrine, which is popular with young people, and then I went to Atami Plum Garden, where there are no young people but the early plum blossoms are in full bloom. At the entrance to the park, there is a sign that says, “Currently in bloom for 5 minutes.”

When you say that the flowers bloom for 5 minutes, you may think that it’s not until the best time to see them, but it’s definitely the best time to see them! Thank you for watching until the end. If you enjoyed it, please like, comment and subscribe to support this channel☺

In this video, we went from Atami Station to Kinomiya Shrine, where there is a 2100-year-old camphor tree, and then to Atami Plum Garden, where early-blooming plum trees are in full bloom.

Click here to see the Atami cherry blossoms. https://youtu.be/7E5lh8Bk_Ks

00:00 Opening
00:41 Atami Station – Nakamise-dori Shopping Street
06:12 Kinomiya Shrine
15:37 Atami Plum Garden

Atami City Tourism Association official website: https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355

Date taken : January 27, 2024
Camera : SONY ZV-E10
Lens : SELP1650
Resolution : 4K

*Using Google Translate. Therefore, please be aware that there may be typos or omissions.
*Please note that the information in the video may not be 100% accurate.

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