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Have you ever wondered why it's called Atami?
It actually means "hot sea" in Japanese, thanks to the hot water boiling from its sea.
Atami, with its rich history of over a thousand years, is one of Japan's most popular hot spring destinations and home to the MOA Museum of Art.

Visit the MOA Museum of Art during your trip to Atami and immerse yourself in Japanese culture, art, breathtaking sceneries, and gourmet food to your heart's content.
Here is the report of my visit in August.

The MOA Museum of Art boasts an outstanding collection of Japanese kogei（crafts), such as ceramics, urushi and bamboo works, as well as paintings brimming with Japanese history and culture. It also features seasonal exhibitions.

The MOA Museum of Art also has an extensive in-house café. Indulge in the authentic sweets and other treats at the café when taking a break from the collections and exhibits.

At the MOA Museum of Art, the experience extends beyond art – right into culinary delights.
It features a patisserie produced by the renowned Japanese pâtissier Toshihiko Yoroizuka.
Toshihiko Yoroiozuka spent eight years in Europe, mastering the taste and technique of dessert-making while drawing inspiration from Western traditions and cultures. He is the first Japanese to obtain a "Chef Pâtissier" qualification from a former Michelin three-star restaurant.

Driven by his passion "to make truly delicious confectioneries using our own, self-made ingredients," led him to open the Ichiyajo Yoroizuka Farm Restaurant in Odawara, near Atami and even establish a pesticide-free cacao farm in Ecuador, actively contributing to revitalizing local farming communities.
The MOA Museum of Art's patisserie also uses local ingredients. It offers unique desserts in collaboration with Yoroizuka, offering flavors you won't find anywhere else.

Adding another layer to the experience, the patisserie's cups and plates were all designed under the supervision of Murose Kazumi, who created the urushi entrance door of the museum. It offers visitors the chance to experience traditional Japanese crafts and designs.
The museum also features a shop that offers works by contemporary kogei artists including Living National Treasures. The very cups and saucers used at the café can also be purchased in the museum's shop.

The MOA Museum of Art grounds is home to the Tea Garden, where visitors can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine and matcha as well as seasonal plants and flowers. It's a top destination for those looking to experience Japanese food in a traditional Japanese-style restaurant.

For lunch, check out Hana-no-Chaya and enjoy seasonal Japanese set meals and sashimi.

Throughout the year, you can enjoy seasonal dishes made with fresh local ingredients at Hana-no-Chaya. When I visited they offered a summer set meals that feature deep-fried fish and shrimp and seasonal ayu (sweetfish) with somen noodles, both grown in the clear waters of the nearby Izu River. The fish are crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside. The simple yet delicate flavor makes the most of the ingredients—a style faithful to Japanese cuisine.

The Tea Garden has many other wonders aside from Hana-no-Chaya. Indulge in authentic soba noodles at Nijo-shinmachi Sobanobou.

After enjoying your meal at Hana-no-Chaya, or Sobanobou, the next stop is Korin's Residence.
This residence is a reconstruction of Ogata Korin's home, an artist who was active in the late 17th to early18th century, where he spent his final years. It's an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of traditional Japanese residential architecture.
Korin Ogata painted the National Treasure, "Red and White Plum Blossoms," a folding screen that is now a part of the museum's collection. (*The National Treasure folding screen is not on permanent display. The exhibition depends on the time of year.)

The Tea Garden has an authentic tea room designed by Nahiko Emori, who also designed the tearoom of the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Relax with a cup of matcha after exploring the Tea Garden.

A day of fun at the MOA Museum of Art offers a relaxing opportunity to experience contemporary art, Japanese culture, and even a wide variety of food, all with traditional Japanese designs incorporated.

The MOA Museum of Art also has seasonal programs for international visitors aside from regular exhibitions. It offers interactive experiences to immerse in Japanese culture beyond exhibitions.
These programs include an ikebana (traditional flower arranging) experience at the Korin's Residence and a special Noh performance at the museum's Noh Theater. Other exciting programs await, so please check the official website before visiting.
Maple leaves in the garden turn red in autumn. MOA Museum of Art is the place where you would like to visit in each season.

You can find more information on Atami's sightseeing spots and hot springs at the Japan National Tourism Organization's Travel Japan website.
For an overview of the museum and its various facilities, please refer below: