Atsugi City Guide
Image by James Orr via unsplash

Japan

Atsugi City Guide

Kanagawa Prefecture

Atsugi is a mid-sized city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It sits between the Tanzawa Mountains and Sagami River, offering a mix of nature and city life. It’s quieter than Tokyo but well connected to bigger cities. There’s a US Navy air base, adding a small international touch.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Local dishes include Atsugi Shirokoro Horumon and seafood. Some international options like Italian and Korean exist. Late night food is available at izakayas, ramen shops, and convenience stores. Vegan and vegetarian options are limited but growing.

Local Dishes:
Atsugi Shirokoro Horumon, seafood
International Cuisine:
Italian, Chinese, Korean
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
5

Nightlife is modest with izakayas, karaoke bars, and local pubs. Mostly locals go out here.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Local cafes offer decent coffee with a few specialty shops. The coffee scene is growing but small.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is not customary and can be frowned upon. Service charges may be included in bills.

Top Attractions
Atsugi Central Park
park
A large local park with green spaces and playgrounds.
Atsugi City Museum
museum
Museum featuring local history and art.
Sagami River
nature
River offering scenic views and outdoor activities.
SIM Cards

You can buy SIM cards at airports or electronics stores in larger cities. Major carriers like NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank, and Rakuten offer good coverage. Passport is required for registration.

Available at:
Narita Airport
Haneda Airport
Bic Camera
Yodobashi Camera
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(navigation)
Japan Transit Planner(transport)
LINE(communication)
Tabelog(food)
PayPay(payment)
Uber Eats(food delivery)
Google Translate(utility)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
9

Atsugi is very clean with excellent waste management and street cleanliness.

24/7 Services
Good
7

Convenience stores are open 24/7 with food and daily items. Other services like pharmacies close early and night clinics are rare.

Groceries
Aeon
Ito-Yokado
Summit Store

Supermarkets like Aeon, Ito-Yokado, and Summit Store cover most needs. Local fresh markets are available. Most open 9 or 10 AM to 9 or 10 PM, including Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cash is still important here. Many small shops and transport options require cash, though bigger stores accept cards more often.

ATMs

ATMs are common at post offices and convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson. Many accept international cards but fees vary.

Schools
International

Limited international schools in Atsugi; nearby Yokohama has several. Most local schools teach in Japanese, international schools teach in English.

Available Schools:
Yokohama International School
St. Maur International School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
5
Available Spaces:
Atsugi Co-working & Share Office
Professional space with meeting rooms and day passes.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Multiple locations with Wi-Fi and outlets.
Tully's Coffee
Multiple locations, suitable for work.
Doutor Coffee
Well-known chain with work amenities.
Komeda's Coffee
Cafe chain with comfortable seating.
Alternatives:
Atsugi City Library
Quiet space with Wi-Fi for focused work.
Hotel Lobbies
Some offer Wi-Fi and seating.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Atsugi has a very small nomad community with limited meetups or coworking options.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Several parks, including Atsugi Central Park and Sagami River banks, provide good green space and shaded paths.

Running
Excellent
8

Running along the Sagami River and in Atsugi Central Park is popular and safe, even at night.

Gyms
Available

Multiple gyms offer options for fitness including chains and public facilities.

Available Gyms:
Gold's Gym Atsugi
Anytime Fitness Hon-Atsugi
Atsugi City Gymnasium
Konami Sports Club Atsugi
Tennis
Good
6

Public tennis courts exist with mostly hard surfaces. Booking in advance is common.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel courts are not common in Atsugi.

Yoga
Good
6

Several yoga studios offer popular styles. Drop-in classes are available, though English-speaking instructors may be limited.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Various dojos teach traditional martial arts like Karate, Judo, and Kendo. English instruction may be rare.

Skiing
Poor
3

No ski resorts nearby. Closest are in Nagano or Niigata, around 2-3 hours away.

Water Sports
Good
6

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are available on the Sagami River and coast in warmer months with rental and guided tour options.

Surfing
Good
6

Surf spots are on the Shonan coast, about 30-40 minutes away. Suitable for all skill levels with schools and rentals available.

Diving
Good
6

Izu Peninsula offers diving sites within reach. Water is clear in summer, with diverse marine life and rental gear available.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
9

Atsugi City Hospital is the main facility. English-speaking staff are limited but some help is available. Quality of care is high across public and private clinics.

Hospitals:
Atsugi City Hospital
Pharmacies:
Local yakkyokus and drugstores
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe and clean to drink.

Common Scams
Overpriced tourist services in some areas, Hostess bar scams in large city entertainment districts, rare in Atsugi

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Lots of parks and playgrounds. Cafes are generally family-friendly. Baby supplies are available in stores. Atsugi Central Park is a good spot for families.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
6

Generally tolerant but less visible than in big cities. Limited local safe spaces and no major pride events.

Pet Friendly
Limited
4

Pet facilities and supplies exist but accommodation and pet-friendly venues are limited. Japan has strict pet import rules.

Communities
Kanagawa Expats (expat)
Yokohama & Kanagawa Expats (expat)

Quick Facts

Population
223,815
Power Reliability
Excellent
10/10

Power is very reliable with rare outages.

Beach Access
Available

Shonan beaches are about 30-40 minutes away. They are popular in summer for swimming and sunbathing.

Mountains
Available

Tanzawa Mountains lie west of Atsugi with many hikes. Mount Oyama is a favorite day hike.

Languages
Japanese(99%)
English(15%)
Emergency
110
Police
119
Fire/Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
4
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
8

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Typhoons
August, September, October
Heavy rain and wind possible during late summer and early autumn.
Extreme Heat
July, August
Hot and humid summers.
Flooding
August, September
Flooding can occur near rivers during typhoon season.

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