Things to Do in Atsugi (厚木市), Kanagawa: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Atsugi (厚木市) in Kanagawa Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Iiyama Kannon, Iiyama Onsen, Mount Ōyama and served by Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) via the regional hub at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station. Set at 26 m elevation (35.4333°N, 139.3667°E), Atsugi offers travelers a base for sampling regional Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai, Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen, Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) cuisine and exploring neighboring Ebina (海老名市) (2.6 km), Ayase (綾瀬市) (6 km), Zama (座間市) (6.3 km), Samukawa (寒川町) (6.5 km).

While the name "Atsugi" is often associated with the United States Navy base named Naval Air Facility Atsugi, the base is actually not in Atsugi, but straddles the border between the nearby cities of Ayase and Yamato. Atsugi is located in the hilly center of Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately 45 km from central Tokyo or 30 km from central Yokohama. It is located at the northern end of the Sagami Plain created by the Sagami River, which originates from Lake Yamanaka, and straddles the Tanzawa Mountains in the west and the plain on the west bank of the Sagami River to the southeast. The area around present-day Atsugi city has been inhabited for thousands of years. Within Kanagawa Prefecture, Atsugi (厚木市) serves as a special city in Kanagawa Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1955-02-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

What to See & Do in Atsugi (厚木市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Atsugi (厚木市) from Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) at 26 m elevation (35.4333°N, 139.3667°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Atsugi):

• Iiyama Kannon — local sightseeing landmark near Atsugi (厚木市).
• Iiyama Onsen — local sightseeing landmark near Atsugi (厚木市).
• Mount Ōyama — local sightseeing landmark near Atsugi (厚木市).
• Nanasawa Onsen — local sightseeing landmark near Atsugi (厚木市).
• Kumano Jinja (2.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Atsugi (厚木市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Atsugi: Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) (connecting to Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Atsugi

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Atsugi (厚木市) and Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto:

• Ebina (海老名市) — 2.6 km from Atsugi (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Ayase (綾瀬市) — 6 km from Atsugi (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Zama (座間市) — 6.3 km from Atsugi (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Samukawa (寒川町) — 6.5 km from Atsugi (Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Isehara (伊勢原市) — 8.2 km from Atsugi (Kanagawa Prefecture)

Getting to Atsugi & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Atsugi (厚木市) via Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km): 25–30m from Tokyo Station to Yokohama or Kawasaki on JR lines; 35m to Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen; 55m to Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka Line. From Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) to reach central Atsugi (35.4333°N, 139.3667°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Yokohama with Atsugi (厚木市) and neighboring Ebina, Ayase, Zama. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Atsugi, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Atsugi and continuing toward Ebina can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Atsugi: While Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) anchors public transit for Atsugi, picking up a rental car at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station makes it easy to link Iiyama Kannon and Iiyama Onsen with nearby Ebina (海老名市) (2.6 km), Ayase (綾瀬市) (6 km), Zama (座間市) (6.3 km), Samukawa (寒川町) (6.5 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Atsugi (厚木市) & Kanagawa

Dining near Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) and across Atsugi (厚木市) highlights the regional food culture of Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Atsugi:

• Local specialty & terroir of Atsugi (厚木市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside centuries-old ceramic kiln traditions (yakimono) and artisan pottery.
• Yokohama Chinatown steamed buns & shumai — regional specialty enjoyed across Atsugi (厚木市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokohama Iekei tonkotsu-shoyu ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Atsugi (厚木市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Shonan shirasu (whitebait bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Atsugi (厚木市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Odawara kamaboko fish cakes — regional specialty enjoyed across Atsugi (厚木市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.
• Yokosuka Kaigun curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Atsugi (厚木市) and Kanagawa Prefecture.

If you are dining in Atsugi (厚木市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km).

Where to Stay in Atsugi (厚木市)

Visitors staying overnight in Atsugi (厚木市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km), or base at major rail hubs in Yokohama (Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station) or neighboring Ebina, Ayase, Zama for quick train access into Atsugi. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Atsugi & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Atsugi (厚木市, 26 m elevation at 35.4333°N, 139.3667°E): Late March–April for cherry blossoms in Kamakura & Yokohama Sankeien; June for Kamakura hydrangeas; October–December for crisp Mt. Fuji views from Hakone & Enoshima.

Wider sightseeing across Kanagawa Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Iiyama Kannon in Atsugi (厚木市) includes: Yokohama Minato Mirai & Chinatown, ancient temples and Great Buddha of Kamakura, Enoshima Island, Odawara Castle, and Hakone hot springs overlooking Mt. Fuji.

Practical Travel Tips for Atsugi (厚木市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Atsugi: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Yokohama Station, Shin-Yokohama (Tokaido Shinkansen) & Odawara Station or Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) for local bus schedules to Iiyama Kannon and walking maps of Atsugi (厚木市).
• Cash & ATMs in Atsugi: Convenience stores and major hotels around Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Iiyama Kannon often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Atsugi accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Atsugi: Around Atsugi Station (厚木駅) (1.5 km) and neighboring Ebina, Ayase, Zama, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.