The Akao Herb and Rose Garden is a leafy haven filled with colorful floral displays and exotic plants not far from the city center of Atami. It is known for its outstanding rose gardens and scenic hills covered with flowers and enormous pine trees. Visit the Akao Herb and Rose Garden for the utter serenity and gorgeous views from this rolling terrain with great natural beauty.
Sit on the wooden observation deck and enjoy views of Sagami Bay to the east. At the top of the hill, you’ll find an elegant café that is perfect for a picturesque and relaxing break. Make your way through the famed rose gardens, which contain 4,000 rose bushes of 600 different varieties.
Stroll along the labyrinth of paths meandering through the park. Listen to the soft flow of water coming from the fountain in the Italian-style Herb Garden. Relax and appreciate the majesty of the English Rose Garden, complemented by the Japanese design of the Tensho garden, which has an acclaimed bonsai tree. The open-air complex contains a dozen herb and rose gardens.
Spot locals and fellow vacationers taking wedding photos and other celebratory snapshots in the tunnel of roses and elsewhere across the gardens. Plan to see the flowers at their peak from May to mid-June.
Note that the gardens open daily from morning until late afternoon. There is a fee to enter, with half-price tickets for kids.
Find the Akao Herb and Rose Garden south of central Atami, between the train stations of Kinomiya and Izu-Taga. From the center of the city, walk south for about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) to get here in less than 1 hour. Leave your vehicle in the parking lot for free, providing there are spaces.
While you’re in the area, make sure to see other nearby sights such as the Atami Trick Art Museum, the Toda Koshiro Picture Book Museum of Art and Nishikigaura Bay.
