Where should we go, July 3 to 5?
Both options on one map. Kurobe about 2 hr 48 min from Shibuya · Atami about 1 hr from Shibuya.
The places
Where to eat
Kurobe
- Kajika (河鹿)
Cook-to-order clay-pot kamameshi and fresh white-shrimp sashimi, by Unazuki Onsen station. Tabelog about 3.44; closed Tuesdays, and each pot is roughly a 20-minute wait.
- Rest Plaza Kashiwaya (柏や)
Right in front of Unazuki Onsen station; the local white-shrimp kakiage donburi (about ¥1,300).
- Ariiso Kitokito-an (有磯 きときと庵)
A minute from Unazuki Onsen station; trout sushi (masu-no-sushi) and white shrimp.
- Kurobe Soba-ya (黒部 そば屋)
The top-rated lunch in Kurobe city (Tabelog about 3.59) — handmade soba; closes once the soba sells out, closed Tuesdays. In central Kurobe, not Unazuki.
- Fish Station Ikuji (魚の駅 生地)
A working fish market on Toyama Bay in Kurobe's Ikuji district; kaisen-don and kelp-cured sashimi (kombujime).
Atami
- Atami Purin (熱海プリン)
The milk-bottle pudding shop near the station — the signature Atami sweet, and a regular queue.
- Heiwa-dori arcade (平和通り)
The covered food-walking arcade right at Atami station — himono, takoyaki, sweets. Being covered, it's rain-proof for a wet day.
- Kamatsuru (海幸楽膳 釜つる)
Tabelog about 3.69; seafood washoku from an old dried-fish house, known for simmered kinmedai; reservation slots, closed Wednesdays.
- Kome to Sakana (米と魚)
A small, well-liked seafood-bowl spot near the station — fresh sashimi, a calmer alternative to the busy "mountain bowl" chains.
- Soba Asada (蕎麦あさ田)
Often called Atami's best soba, about 5 minutes from the station. Hours and reservations vary across sources — phone first.
- Chuka Soba Uosei (中華そば うお静)
Tabelog 4.03, a 2025 ramen "hyakumeiten" — but down in Ajiro, not walkable from Atami station; queues from the morning, closed Sundays and Mondays.
- Washoku Kobayashi (和食処 こばやし)
Tabelog about 3.69, on Heiwa-dori a few minutes from the station; a daily chirashi and a raw-shirasu bowl; closed Tuesdays.
Good to know for July 3 to 5
BothEarly July normally falls inside Japan's rainy season (tsuyu) for both areas — the Hokuriku rainy season normally ends around July 23, the Tokai/Izu region around July 19. — japan-guide / JMA
KurobeIn 2026 the Kurobe Gorge Railway runs only as a shuttle between Unazuki and Nekomata, through September 30 — the full ride to Keyakidaira is closed for earthquake restoration. — Kurobe Gorge Railway
KurobeKurobe Dam's tourist water discharge runs late June to mid-October, so it's on during the trip (the rainbow-in-the-spray view). — Kurobe Dam
KurobeWhite shrimp, the Toyama Bay signature, is in season April to November — so early July catches it. — Toyama tourism
KurobeUp on the alpine route, Murodo (about 2,450 m) runs roughly 15°C colder than sea level — a July high near 16°C, so pack a layer even at midday. — Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
AtamiAtami's beach season opens July 11 — the beach isn't officially open for swimming during a July 3–5 trip (the seafront is still walkable). — Atami Tourism Association
AtamiEarly July sits between Atami's seasonal draws — fireflies end June 7, the beach opens July 11, and the fireworks start July 20. — Atami Tourism Association
AtamiThe food-walking arcades right by Atami station are covered, so they hold up on a rainy day. — JAL ontrip