Published date: May 15, 2025
SOKI ATAMI｜Experience True Serenity in the Tranquil Mountains of Atami
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
The historic Atami Onsen area has many accommodations since ancient times.
While large resort hotels or Japanese inns are common, mid-range hotels like SOKI ATAMI, emphasizing Japanese design, are quite rare.
It takes about ten minutes by taxi from Atami Station to SOKI ATAMI, which is a perfect distance for the hotel to have its unique character.
The hidden atmosphere makes it feel as if you're staying in a private villa in Atami.
The name SOKI comes from "Su" and "Ki", and this concept is further expanded in Atami.
As soon as you walk into the lobby, the space is filled with the fresh scent of wood and plants, instantly putting you in a tranquil rhythm.
The public spaces are used similarly to an art museum, featuring large wall surfaces and carefully designed lighting to showcase installation art. The interior design continues the "Su Ki" concept: bare wooden floors, earth-toned curtains, and low-saturation selections. The welcome snack in the room is "Kamiyama Tengu Kogashimaru", a cookie specially made by the local bakery "Kyuon", which has a stunning flavor that makes you want to buy more right away.
The top floor's ocean-view tea room embodies the overall spirit of the hotel.
This area is exclusive to guests, where you can enjoy carefully prepared tea and snacks in the afternoon.
That day, we tasted the rare Kurmoji tea from the Izu Peninsula, paired with sweets from the famous local wagashi shop "Mase".
It made us again feel the true meaning of the SOKI spirit: to select for you the most worth-trying local experiences "in this time and place".
A more surprising touch is the wet wipes in the tea room.
Initially thought to be just regular supplies, but the faint scent that wafted while I was wiping my hands was unexpectedly delightful—it was rosemary!
Upon asking, I found out that these herbs are grown by the hotel in their garden, distilled into water, and then infused into the wet wipes.
What seems to be a simple wet wipe actually carries a lot of stories.
I casually mentioned to the staff, "I really like rosemary; every time I see it on the roadside, I can't help but touch the leaves."
She smiled and nodded. A few minutes later, she quietly brought me a small sprig of rosemary, softly saying:
"Let this scent accompany you; you can also take it back to your room."
At that moment, I really felt very warm.
The price of SOKI is indeed not cheap, but whether it's the space, meals, or service details, it all feels worth it.
There's even a sense of being "cherished"; the height of the corridor lights, the volume of the music in the lounge area, and even the design of the overall atmosphere exist to "not disturb you".
SOKI Atami is not a hotel you would want to check in immediately for a social media post,
but rather a place that will ferment in your heart after you leave.
It is not just a place to stay during your journey, but like a time filtered from noise.
The breakfast experience is also unforgettable, costing about 4,000 yen extra, including a whole box of exquisite Japanese-style set meal, complemented by an unlimited buffet of side dishes.
Each dish shows great care, from seasoning, plating to the selection of tableware, providing a dual enjoyment of visual and taste. The restaurant features a full-length window facing a lush garden.
On a sunny morning, dining while appreciating the scenery outside is very blissful.
*Some booking reminders:
Although the large public bath is comfortable, it is an indoor bath without outdoor space.
Even though there is natural light during the day, making it pleasant to soak,
if you wish to enjoy the sea view while soaking, it's more recommended to choose a room with a private outdoor bath. The ceramic outdoor bath, while rustic, is equipped with the most advanced temperature control system; just press a button to automatically fill with the appropriately warm, suitable amount of hot spring water.
The warming system is also excellent, allowing you to soak anytime without needing to readjust, very convenient.
Experiences during the trip
Within a five-minute walk from the hotel, there are several charming little shops worth visiting.
Japanese Western Food Sabrosso
We had dinner at this retro Western food restaurant, ordering curry rice and ginger beef set meal. The curry has a rich mature flavor, and the ginger beef is impressive—it's rare to see this dish in Western food restaurants, as pork ginger grilled meat is more common. This place not only uses high-quality beef but also makes it tender and juicy, savory enough to go with rice. The entire restaurant is filled with a nostalgic vibe, whether it's the dim golden lights, the pebble flooring, or the glass cups filled with cola, all of which make you feel as if you’ve returned to the Showa era.
Dessert Shop Choud La mer
Before heading back to the hotel, we took out a seasonal fruit tart to enjoy slowly in our room. The crust is crispy, the fruits are fresh, and the overall flavor is very delicate, it's a dessert that shows "sincere intention". This shop also sells lemon cake made from locally produced citrus—Izukusatsu area is known for abundant citrus.
I initially thought of bringing one or two home as souvenirs but was amazed by the taste and regretted not buying more. The lemon cake is sweet with a fragrant aroma, moist in texture yet not overwhelming; it’s highly recommended to take a few home, suitable for both personal enjoyment and as gifts.
Both shops are very close to SOKI, and after dining, we slowly walked back to the hotel, experiencing a quietly romantic atmosphere in Atami at night.
The happiest moments during the trip are these healing encounters with the little shops.