"The best toilet view in the world" Atami by Assenczo

Atami’s best kept secret must be this toilet, precariously perched on the volcanic rocks over the Pacific Ocean. When seated, the user of this magical service has no barriers between him and the largest body of water on Earth, just the tantalizing veil of pine needles for maximum effect.

Atami beach

Atami is a seaside resort with mineral water bubbling from many “holes” in a strategic location – in the shadow of Mount Fuji (look at my Gotemba page) and within an hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo. It offers the resort atmosphere of a coastal town and the beach culture that comes with it. Atami people’s ways are quite exotic. You will see local folks in their kimonos after dinner. I was lucky to possess one at the time (see my Kyoto page for details), so I could do the same. The ocean breeze caresses the skirts of you kimono and they in turn caress your skin. An evening promenade with distinction! The hotel that made me welcome was called South Bay (on the picture, left, just off my head on the right).

• Pros:I have never thought that going to the washroom can be an experience of a lifetime
• Cons:The third largest geyser in the world was revived by some japanese engeniers
• In a nutshell:Sandy beach resort in the proximity of the Fugi cone with tonnes of mineral water