Stand at the top of the stone steps at Iiyama Kannon and the Sagami Plain opens out below you, with the Tanzawa hills closing in behind. This is the Atsugi that rewards a slow half-day: temple bells, hot-spring water and a mountain path that does not demand a full expedition.
Atsugi suits travellers based in Tokyo or Yokohama who want a quieter day out in Kanagawa's hilly centre, and anyone breaking a journey along the Odakyū Odawara Line between Hon-Atsugi and Aiko-Ishida. It is also a practical base for walkers heading into the western hills.
This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, with the practical detail you need to string them into a single day.
Top things to do in Atsugi
1. Mount Ōyama
Mount Ōyama rises in the western part of the city, within the Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park, and the Wikivoyage listing describes it simply as an easy day hike. That is the appeal: a real mountain outing without a serious commitment.
Approach it from the Nanasawa side, which puts you on the same road as the onsen ryokan below. Give it the morning, when the climb is cooler and the day still has room in it.
2. Iiyama Kannon (Chokokuji Temple)
Iiyama Kannon, also known as Chokukuji Temple, sits at Iiyama 5605 and is the one formal sight listed for the city. It is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30, and the phone number is +81 462 41 1635.
Because it closes in the late afternoon, visit before you commit to anything else. It pairs naturally with Iiyama Onsen, which shares the same Iiyama district.
3. Atsugi Iiyama Onsen
Atsugi Iiyama Onsen is at Iiyama 4916, telephone +81 462-42-0008. It is the obvious way to finish a morning at the temple or a walk on the mountain.
Go after your hike rather than before it. The Iiyama address means you can walk between the temple and the onsen without reorganising your day.
4. Nanasawa Onsen Ryokan Fukumatsu
Nanasawa Onsen Ryokan Fukumatsu is at Nanasawa 1751, telephone +81 462-48-0324. It is the Nanasawa-side counterpart to Iiyama Onsen and sits on the approach to Mount Ōyama.
Combine it with the mountain rather than treating it as a separate trip, since both are reached from Nanasawa.
5. Nanasawa Forest Park
Nanasawa Forest Park is listed among Atsugi's local attractions and lies in the same Nanasawa area as the onsen and the mountain trail. Treat it as the gentle option on a day when the summit is not calling.
It fits neatly between an onsen soak and the journey home, and it keeps you in one part of the city rather than crossing back and forth.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early at Iiyama Kannon (Chokokuji Temple), which opens at 08:30, then head west to Nanasawa and walk up Mount Ōyama while the day is still cool.
Afternoon: Come down and soak at Nanasawa Onsen Ryokan Fukumatsu, or continue to Nanasawa Forest Park if you would rather stay on your feet. If you began on the Iiyama side instead, use Atsugi Iiyama Onsen for the same purpose.
Evening: Return to Hon-Atsugi or Aiko-Ishida on the Odakyū Odawara Line and eat there before heading back to Tokyo or Yokohama.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Atsugi?
No. Although the name is often associated with the city, the base is not in Atsugi; it straddles the border between the nearby cities of Ayase and Yamato.
How do I reach Atsugi by train?
The Odakyū Odawara Line serves the city, with Hon-Atsugi and Aiko-Ishida as its stations.
When is the best time of year to visit?
Atsugi has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. September is the wettest month, so plan indoor or onsen time accordingly.
Can I visit Iiyama Kannon and an onsen in the same day?
Yes. Iiyama Kannon is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30, and Atsugi Iiyama Onsen is in the same Iiyama district, so the two fit comfortably into one morning and afternoon.
Check the Odakyū timetable and the temple's opening hours, then build your day around the mountain and the water.