Getting Around Atsugi
Atsugi sits in the hilly centre of Kanagawa Prefecture, roughly midway between central Tokyo and central Yokohama, and functions largely as a commuter town for the wider metropolitan area. For a visitor, that means the transport network is built around getting people in and out by rail, with a compact, walkable core around the main station and buses filling in the rest.
Rail: The Backbone of the Network
The city's rail access is provided by the Odakyu Electric Railway, whose Odawara Line runs through Atsugi and connects it to Tokyo's Shinjuku area in one direction and Odawara in the other. The principal station for visitors is Hon-Atsugi, which is the main train station and the natural base for exploring the city. A second Odakyu station, Aiko-Ishida, also serves the city.
Hon-Atsugi is well served by different classes of train, so you can trade cost against speed:
- Commuter trains from Shinjuku take roughly 50–60 minutes and cost ¥510. From Odawara — itself a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen — local Odakyu trains take about 40 minutes and cost ¥470.
- Limited express "Romancecar" trains with reserved seating stop at Hon-Atsugi one to two times per hour, shaving some time off the journey. They require an additional surcharge on top of the base fare (¥570 from Shinjuku and ¥520 from Odawara).
Because the Romancecar is reserved-seat, it is worth considering if you are travelling with luggage or at a busy time of day, but the ordinary commuter services are perfectly practical and considerably cheaper.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Beyond the railway, buses are the main way of reaching parts of the city that the train does not serve. The most useful bus service for visitors is the airport limousine bus, which links Atsugi directly with both of Tokyo's major airports (see below). These are operated by Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu and partner companies.
Note that the source material describes Atsugi's rail network as the Odakyu Odawara Line only — there is no metro or tram network in the city. Visitors should plan around the train and bus rather than expecting an urban rail or tram system.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The reference material does not describe taxi or ride-hailing services in Atsugi, so no specific guidance can be given here. In practice, taxis are generally available at the main station, but you should confirm locally on arrival.
Walkability
The source material does not provide detailed information on walkability within Atsugi. What can be said is that the city is a commuter town organised around its main station, Hon-Atsugi, so the area immediately around that station is the most practical place to base yourself if you want to cover everyday needs on foot.
Getting There from the Airport
Atsugi has direct limousine bus links to both Haneda and Narita airports, which the source notes may be easier than combining trains. The buses are operated by Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu and partner companies.
- Narita Airport: Seven daily return trips, taking about 2 hours 15 minutes from Terminal 1, at ¥3650.
- Haneda Airport: Twelve daily return trips, taking about 1 hour 15 minutes from the International Terminal (Terminal 3), at ¥1600.
If you prefer to travel by train:
- From Narita Airport: travel into Shinjuku and change to the Odakyu Railway for Hon-Atsugi.
- From Haneda Airport: you can reach Atsugi in about 80 minutes by taking the Keikyu Line Airport Express to Yokohama, then the Sotetsu Line to Ebina, and finally the Odakyu Railway. The fare is ¥790.
By Car
If you are driving, Atsugi is served by Atsugi Interchange on the Tomei Expressway. There is also expressway access to the south at Atsugi-Minami Interchange, on the section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway that links the Tomei and Ken-Ō Expressways. The city is also on several national routes, including National Route 129 to Hiratsuka or Sagamihara, National Route 246 to central Tokyo or Numazu, National Route 271 to Odawara (toll), and National Route 412 to Sagamiko.
Practical Summary
- Base yourself near Hon-Atsugi — it is the main station and the hub for both rail and airport bus connections.
- Use the Odakyu Odawara Line for Tokyo (Shinjuku) and Odawara; pay a surcharge for the faster, reserved-seat Romancecar if you want the time saving.
- Take the limousine bus if you are arriving at Haneda or Narita — it is direct and the source suggests it may be simpler than a multi-train connection.
- Expect buses, not metro or trams, for local journeys beyond the rail line.