[Atami] A Complete Guide to Visiting ACAO FOREST: How to Avoid Crowds and Capture Stunning Scenery and Food Photos

What is ACAO FOREST?

ACAO FOREST is a garden facility located along the coast of Atami. A walking path continues along the slope. It is the place formerly known as "ACAO Herb & Rose Garden."
Even outside of the flower season, it is an "Instagrammable spot" where you can create images with the open sea and lines.
Many of you may have seen it on Instagram, right?

Today is a report on my trip to ACAO FOREST.

Introduction (Basic Information)

Park Information

Item Content
Business Hours: Regular season 9:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:00)
Closed Days: Generally none (may close temporarily in severe weather)
Admission (Adults): From 2,500 yen (varies by season)
Admission (Elementary students): 1,000 yen
(Preschoolers): Free
*Please check the official website for the latest information.

Access

Address: 1027-8 Kamitaga, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Public Transport (Estimate)
・About 20 minutes by local bus from JR Atami Station bound for Ajiro, get off at "ACAO FOREST"
・Free shuttle bus available from Atami Station (schedules vary by season, so checking the official site is recommended)

By Car
・Parking available (100 spaces, paid)
・Parking fee: 1,000 yen for up to 3 hours

Tips for the Free Shuttle Bus
Please look for the blue bus parked near the McDonald's in the Atami Station rotary. I went to the bus rotary and ended up taking the local bus (350 yen). You can go by local bus, but you should definitely use the free shuttle if you can!

After passing through the terrace with a panoramic view of the sea from the local bus stop, I headed to ACAO FOREST...

I arrived at ACAO FOREST.
There is a sign, so you can find the location immediately, but the entrance is a bit hard to find. (Because it is on a steep hill)

Park Report

First, take the bus to the top

When you pay the admission fee at the entrance, there is a blue minibus parked right there. You can be taken to the top by this bus.

Since it is a steep hill, taking the bus up is recommended. Furthermore, this bus has a system where you can flag it down anywhere, not just at bus stops. If you have concerns about your knees, please make use of it on the way down as well.

ACAO FOREST is a place where you can photograph the sea, the garden, and the architecture all at once. Since the elevation difference itself is a scenic spot, the correct way is to first go to the top by bus and walk down.

Soga Sengen Shrine

This is a shrine located right near the bus drop-off point at the top.

Surprisingly,the torii gate acts as a mirror, and you can place your smartphone there to take a commemorative photo.

If you pass through the torii gate, climb the stairs, and turn around, you will see a regular torii gate. The flow leading out to the sea has the atmosphere of a power spot.

・Stylish water basins
・Cute fortune slips and votive tablets (ema)
are also available. It is worth taking your time to stop by.

There is another torii gate at the top of the stairs.

Giant bonsai and a cafe designed by Kengo Kuma

A little way down from the shrine, there is a giant bonsai tree. It is a spectacular spot that takes advantage of the elevation difference, allowing you to view the sea and the bonsai at the same time.

Beyond that is one of our goals for this trip,
a cafe designed by Kengo Kuma.
The interior features a design that makes abundant use of wood, and the terrace seating overlooking the sea is a great photo spot.

Cafe Information
・Terrace seating overlooking the sea is available (window seats are recommended)
・The menu includes items like open-faced sandwiches (toppings change)
・You can receive thegoshuin (shrine seal) for Soga Asama Shrine at the cafe

For those who want to receive a goshuin
There is a small wooden coin placed at the shrine's worship area. After you pray, take it with you to the cafe. Please note that if you forget the coin, you cannot receive it! You can choose from several designs (I chose the delicate paper-cut type).

I took a break right away on the terrace seating overlooking the sea.

A very photogenic open-faced sandwich

Other photo spots

The "photogenic" staircase spot

A staircase where the pink and yellow of the canola flowers stand out against the blue sky. If you sit at the top and face away, you can take a picture that looks like it would suit a white dress.

Cherry blossom highlights When I visited, the Atami cherry blossoms had bloomed earlier than usual and were passing the baton to the Kawazu cherry blossoms. Flocks of Japanese white-eyes were coming to the pink flowers, and I couldn't help but snap a photo.

There are photo spots like this scattered all over the place.

Dog Run

There are several locations within the park. There are many spots where you can take commemorative photos with your dog, and many dog owners were taking pictures as they pleased.

Rose Arch

During the season when the roses are in full bloom, it would look great to sit on the bench in the back and take a photo.

This is the view looking toward the sea from inside the park.
You can see Atami Castle on the slope to the left.

Fountain Area

You can also participate in workshops near the fountain.

Conclusion: Just keep these points in mind first

There are three conclusions.
1. Explore from top to bottom
2. Finish taking your photos first
3. Make reservations for meals or eat at a later time

For the scenic cafe, if you can secure a seat, near the window is best.
Keep the background focused on the sea or the trees. Be careful, as kites may target your food if you take it out to a table a bit further away outside.
(You are safe under the building's eaves as they cannot fly in there.)

Preparation: Just doing this will reduce mistakes

Tickets:

You can enter with same-day tickets. However, stopping at the entrance will disrupt your schedule.
It will likely be crowded during the rose season, so buy them in advance if you can.

Clothing and Belongings

Shoes are the top priority; wear 'shoes you can walk in.' Slopes and wind are a given.

Checklist of belongings:
・Lens cloth
・Spare battery
・Fingerless gloves (for cold seasons)
・Hat (for sunny seasons)
・Small bag
・Stylish parasol (if you are conscious of photogenic shots)

Smartphone Settings

・Turn on the grid. (Align horizontally and vertically when shooting buildings)
・Exposure compensation.
※In places and at times with backlighting, lower the exposure slightly.

Model course for the day: Getting great shots in 4 hours

If you can enter the park early

Finish shooting popular spots before the crowds increase.

1 Move to the upper area
2 Shoot architecture with the sea in the background
3 Collect photo spots
4 Have a meal
5 Pick up close-up shots while heading down

If starting after 10:30 (Recovery plan)

Be prepared to wait for photogenic spots and narrow down your targets.

1 Move to the upper area
2 Quickly shoot architecture
3 Check the lines for photo spots and narrow it down to one
4 Save the meal for later
5 Take close-up photos on the paths in the lower area

If it's crowded, decide what to 'discard' and what to 'keep'

Candidates to discard
・Photo spots with long lines
・Cafes where you can't get a seat

Places to keep
・Passageways with a view of the sea
・Architectural lines
・Textures of small paths

Prioritize places that work as photos even with people around, focusing on open views and shapes.

Conquering photo spots: Turning waiting time into art

Strategy for when you have to wait

・Set a limit for waiting: If it's within 20 minutes, wait; if longer, do it later.
・It's effective to leave and come back, as it may be less crowded in the afternoon.

Food photography: 5 rules to make it look professional with your smartphone

1 Light from the side of the window
2 Focus on the subject and keep the background clean
3 Angle at 45 degrees
4 Include hands or small items to create atmosphere
5 Always take one close-up shot of the texture

Zoom in 2x to capture the texture.
(Aim for steam, gloss, and grains)

How to frame shots that work even in gardens during off-seasons or times with few flowers

・On days with few flowers, compete with 'lines and shadows'
・Use stairs and handrails for lines
・Shadows take shape more in the afternoon
・Textures work well with close-ups
・On windy days: Use continuous shooting, stabilize your body, and change subjects to keep shots steady

Bonus Information
Shops near Atami Station often have long lines of tourists.
Plan your schedule with plenty of time to spare.

A shop in the building across from the station.
It is popular for serving fresh fish at reasonable prices. However, they do sell out, so if you have extra time, please try stopping by.

Summary: Today's Quick Checklist

Flow

・From top to bottom
・Take photos first
・Set a time limit for waiting in lines

Dining

・Aim for a window seat if the view is your priority
・Make a reservation to be certain (cafes cannot be reserved)
・Focus on one background

3 Shots You Must Take

・A wide shot of the architecture
・A wide-angle shot of the ocean
・A shot that works even with people in it

Appendix: Day-of Template

A. Timetable
Phase Content
Arrival Enter park
First half Start at upper area
Middle Meal
Second half Lower area
End Exit park

B. Photo Checklist
Category Content
Wide-angle Ocean and full view
Medium-telephoto Architectural lines, shadows, and textures
Food Overall, close-up, and hands-on

C. Check this when you sit down
・Does the light come in from the side?
・Can you isolate the background?
・Clear the table
・Capture the texture while it's still warm

Atami is a city of slopes. ACAO FOREST is no exception, and how you walk the incline determines the quality of your photos for the day. But that is also what makes it a place with such spectacular views. I rode the blue bus back down, already thinking about coming back during the rose season.