Hello, fellow travel lovers！
It has been extremely hot every day,
but our monthly day trips must go on!
This time, I am sharing a summer-friendly driving itinerary around Atsugi and Isehara in Kanagawa Prefecture, designed to help you enjoy a full day without using up all your energy in the heat.
The day begins with a relaxing breakfast, followed by an indoor disaster-prevention experience, farm treats, gelato, and finally a soothing soak in Nanasawa Onsen.
The longest drive between stops is only about 20 minutes, making this an ideal itinerary for enjoying summer without spending too much time walking outdoors.
Our Heat-Smart Day Trip Itinerary
9:00–10:00 | Breakfast at Popura-kan Coffee
Start the day with one of Tabi Jun’s favorite breakfasts.
↓ 🚗 15 minutes
10:30–12:00 | Kanagawa Prefectural Disaster Prevention Center
Enjoy interactive disaster-prevention activities in a cool indoor setting.
↓ 🚗 4 minutes
12:00–13:00 | Kashiwagi Farm
Light bites, soft-serve ice cream, and shopping.
↓ 🚗 20 minutes
Aozora to Daichi Nanasawa Onsen Shoku-no-Ichi
An unplanned stop for recommended gelato.
↓ 🚗 4 minutes
14:30〜16:30｜Nanasawa Onsen Nanasawaso ♨
Finish the day with a relaxing soak in silky-smooth hot spring water.
※The times listed are only a guide. As a hot spring lover, I usually allow a full two hours for bathing and relaxing, but you can adjust the schedule to suit your preferences.
Breakfast at Popura-kan Coffee
Our journey began at Popura-kan Coffee, one of Tabi Jun’s top recommendations.
We enjoyed a fresh salad, croissants, and siphon-brewed coffee while relaxing in the cool and comfortable café.
On a hot summer day, the secret is not to use up all your energy first thing in the morning.
▶ Read more about Popura-kan Coffee
Kanagawa Prefectural Disaster Prevention Center
The center is approximately 15 minutes by car from Popura-kan Coffee.
At the Kanagawa Prefectural Disaster Prevention Center, visitors can learn about disaster preparedness through earthquake, strong-wind, and fire-extinguishing simulations
Most of the activities are indoors, making it a perfect place to visit during the extreme summer heat.
▶ Read the full article about the Disaster Prevention Center
Returning to Our Favorites at Kashiwagi Farm
Kashiwagi Farm is only about four minutes by car from the Disaster Prevention Center.
We returned for the minced-meat cutlet, hamburger steaks, and soft-serve ice cream that we had enjoyed on our previous visit.
Once we find something delicious, we happily order it again.
When it comes to food, the Tabi Jun group is surprisingly cautious!
▶ Read more about Kashiwagi Farm
A Rainy Change of Plans
We had originally planned to take a short hike to Ogama Benzaiten to burn off some of the food we had eaten.
Unfortunately, it began to rain.
I do not remember performing a rain dance, but apparently the sky received the message anyway!
Rather than forcing ourselves to hike in the rain, we changed our plans and drove approximately 20 minutes to Aozora to Daichi Nanasawa Onsen Shoku-no-Ichi.
We had heard that its gelato was worth trying, so we decided to stop.
Yes, we had already eaten soft-serve ice cream at Kashiwagi Farm—but soft-serve and gelato are completely different things!
The shop also sells local produce and processed foods, making it a convenient place to take a break before visiting Nanasawa Onsen.
Finishing the Day at Nanasawa Onsen
Nanasawa Onsen is approximately four minutes by car from Aozora to Daichi.
And, of course, the perfect ending to a day trip is a hot spring.
This was another favorite place that received a “Let’s go there again!” request from my travel companions.
Its wonderfully silky and smooth spring water makes us want to return again and again.
After a hot summer day, washing away the sweat and relaxing in the onsen was the perfect way to finish our trip.
▶ Read more about Nanasawa Onsen
A Summer Day Trip from Breakfast to Hot Springs
This itinerary connects breakfast, an indoor disaster-prevention experience, farm treats, gelato, and a hot spring with short and convenient drives.
Although the rain prevented us from taking our planned hike, changing the schedule according to the weather is all part of the fun of travelling.
On extremely hot days, there is no need to push yourself to walk long distances. Combining cool indoor attractions with short drives is a much more comfortable way to explore.
We successfully conserved our energy—but also managed to replenish every calorie we saved!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip!
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
