Izu Atagawa Onsen Hotel Katara Resort & Spa

Izu Atagawa Onsen Hotel Katara Resort & Spa is a resort hotel on a hilltop above Izu Atagawa Onsen, with ocean views from every room. Under the concept 'kids are king,' the hotel is filled with play spaces built around families with children. A free shuttle runs from Izu-Atagawa Station (Izu Kyuko Line), operating as needed from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with no reservation required.

The heart of the fun is a set of indoor play spaces described as among the largest in the region. The 'Kids Room' has building blocks, stuffed animals, a ball pit, a kids' bouldering wall, and even Plarail, the train toy loved for more than 50 years - free to use (Plarail play is JPY 300 per 30 minutes). At the hands-on play theme park 'Kids Kingdom,' children can enjoy 'Little Planet,' where they play with a car they've drawn themselves, 'Kids Circuit,' where they ride electric cars styled after dream luxury cars, projection mapping, and a greeting from the AI robot Pepper (open 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.). On the 3rd floor, 'Circus Country' has a carousel that runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday (ages 3-10, weight limit 50 kg, JPY 300 per ride), crane games, and a free kids' corner, so there's no boredom even in bad weather.

The water and onsen facilities are also family-friendly. The all-weather 'All Season Pool' is a heated pool using hot water from Atagawa Onsen, and staying open through winter is one of its appeals. It has a shallow corner about 50 cm deep, so small children can play safely. The 'Jungle Spa' onsen is a space that feels like a tropical jungle full of live tropical plants, with several tubs and a slide, and can be enjoyed in swimwear (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.). The communal bath and open-air bath are source-fed, and there is also an open-air bath with a stunning ocean view.

One especially welcome point is that the official FAQ states children who are not fully potty-trained can still use the pool if they wear a swim diaper (the pool also has a shallow area about 50-60 cm deep). The hotel has a nursing room and diaper-changing station, and rooms can be equipped with rental items such as a diaper bin, bed guard, air purifier, waterproof bed pad, and step stool. The 'Piyo Tabi' stay plan for babies and toddlers comes with disposable diapers and childcare goods, among other touches designed to ease the load for families traveling with a baby. Rooms with an open-air bath are also available, so families can choose the style that suits them - making this a go-to resort for family trips. Cribs are available to borrow only for guests who book the baby plan.