88Tees Beach Cafe

If you’ve ever strolled through Waikiki in Hawaii, you’ve probably seen those iconic 88 Tees shirts, colorful, beachy designs that scream “island life” and have been spotted on celebrities from Tokyo to Los Angeles. Now imagine that same aloha spirit, but with an ocean view of Japan’s own seaside playground. Welcome to 88 Tees Cafe in Atami, where Hawaii meets Shizuoka in the best way possible.

The cafe blends the laid-back surf culture of Honolulu with Atami’s retro resort charm. Inside, it’s all tropical prints, bright colors, and that unmistakable salty breeze drifting in from Sagami Bay. The menu keeps the Hawaiian theme going with smoothies, acai bowls, and Kona coffee, while the racks of 88 Tees apparel remind you that you’re also standing in a little outpost of one of Hawaii’s most famous T-shirt brands. You can browse exclusive designs you won’t find outside Japan, so if you’ve been eyeing a legit 88 Tees shirt for your next summer look, this is the spot to snag one.

But 88 Tees Cafe is only half the story, you’re in Atami, after all. Once a bubble-era glamour destination for Tokyo’s elite, Atami is making a big comeback thanks to its mix of sandy beaches, steamy hot springs, and a nostalgic Showa-era vibe. The best part? It’s only about 45 minutes from Tokyo by shinkansen. That means you can leave the city in the morning, spend the afternoon lounging on Sun Beach, and still make it home in time for a late-night bowl of ramen, or stay overnight for a classic onsen soak.

The cafe sits perfectly for a post-beach hangout. Picture this: You’ve been floating in the gentle Atami waves all morning, your hair’s still a little salty, and you wander up the street to find a chilled mango smoothie waiting for you. You flip through racks of vibrant T-shirts, each one practically begging to be worn to your next summer BBQ. Outside, the palm-lined promenade reminds you that even though you’re in Japan, you’ve stepped into a little slice of the Pacific.

So why go? Because it’s a rare blend of two beach cultures, Hawaii’s relaxed surf style and Japan’s coastal nostalgia, in one easy getaway. You get the ocean, the onsen, and maybe that perfect 88 Tees shirt to remind you of the day you caught a wave in Atami without ever leaving the country.