Quick Getaways: Tokyo’s Most Rewarding Day Trips

Tokyo, the world’s largest city, is an amazing destination for tourists. Its bustling atmosphere, massive skyscrapers, and iconic temples can keep you occupied for some time. But there are way too many new and exciting experiences outside of the city to ignore. After all, “variety is the spice of life.” In this post, we’ll let you in on the best day tours from Tokyo, Japan. All of our recommendations are less than two hours away. You never have to spend the night, and each one has something unique to offer. Enjoy!

Mount Fuji & Hakone: Nature, Views, and Hot Springs

Tokyo is only a few miles away from Hakone, an enchanting town with stunning landscapes, natural hot springs, and some of the best views of Mount Fuji. The town’s hydrothermal features have gifted it with 20+ hot springs (or onsen). The waters of these hot springs are believed to possess healing abilities. Soak in any private or public onsen of your choice.

With limited time on your hands, the fastest way to take in all of the town’s natural beauty is to ride the Hakone Ropeway. It follows a two-mile scenic route from Sounzan Station to Togendai Station. During the trip, you get to enjoy panoramic views of various natural attractions, including Mt. Fuji. The great mountain is visible from Hakone, even though Fuji Five Lakes and Fuji Q Highland, which are located at the mountain’s foot, are miles away. Your ropeway trip will probably end on the shores of Lake Ashi, where you can get an even better view of the mountain. Hakone Shrine is another popular tourist destination close to Lake Ashi. You can also go on a boat cruise across the waters.

Read our Hakone travel guide to find out the easiest way to get to the town by train or bus from Shinjuku Station. It also contains details of the main attractions to explore.

Nikko: Temples, Waterfalls, and Edo-Era Splendor

Escape the busy life of Tokyo to one of the most spiritually charged cities in Japan, Nikko. Located in Tochigi Prefecture, it’s barely two hours away from Tokyo, making it a viable destination for day tours. One of Nikko’s most iconic attractions is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Shrines and Temples of Nikko. This area features a collection of three religious sites, interconnected by hiking trails:

• Toshogu Shrine: a religious complex featuring more than a dozen Buddhist-related buildings with creative carvings, including the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

• Futarasan-Jinja Shrine: an ancient site dedicated to the deities of the surrounding mountains.

• Rinnoji Temple: a religious site older than Nikko itself.

For more information on these UNESCO-listed attractions, read our Nikko tourist guide. It includes a simple way to get to Nikko from Tokyo.

Continue your adventure with a trip to the nearby Nikko National Park, located just outside the main city. Your itinerary must include a stop at Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura. This is a theme park built to replicate Japan’s architecture and culture during the Edo period (1603-1868).

Kamakura: Coastal Charm and Giant Buddhas

If you’re interested in Japan’s cultural and political history, you need to take a day tour to Kamakura, a city just south of Tokyo. Although small, it was once a national powerhouse. Today, it tells intriguing stories of the samurai and ancient warrior clans through its many temple attractions. The ideal way to explore Kamakura’s ancient streets is on foot. Stop by Komachi-dori, the city’s main shopping street, which features a bustling atmosphere while retaining traditional elements from the past.

The temples and shrines of Kamakura are a must-see on your day trip. Each one is famous for a unique reason. For example, Kotoku-in Temple has Daibutsu (the Great Buddha), Japan’s second-tallest Buddha, sitting in its compound. When you feel the need to relax, head over to the alluring coastline on the south end of Kamakura. It covers a distance of over 4 miles and includes five main beaches. In our post about what to do in Kamakura, we reveal the fastest route to the area from Tokyo via direct train ride.

Yokohama: A Port City Packed with Flavor

Less than an hour away, Yokohama is one of the closest locations for day tours from Tokyo, Japan. Several train lines can take you on a direct ride from different stations in Tokyo to Yokohama Station or Shin-Yokohama Station. The city of Yokohama is the second largest in Japan and the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. Thanks to its role as a major port city, Yokohama promises to be a cosmopolitan escape, filled with clear evidence of the influence of China and other countries. In fact, it is home to the largest Chinatown in Japan. There are over 500 stores in the city, making it a major commercial area. The streets are lined with food stands and restaurants, where you can have your fill of Chinese cuisine.

For a more urban experience, visit Minato Mirai 21. This iconic landmark features several waterfront attractions, including Yokohama Landmark Tower, Cosmo World amusement park (featuring Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel and roller coasters), Pacifico Yokohama, and Cup Noodles Museum. If you’re wondering why we need a museum for cup noodles, you’re underestimating how much fun you could have seeing whimsical exhibits about the history of instant ramen. You can also make your own ramen at the museum. For more attractions in the capital city, read our article showcasing the best of Yokohama.

Kawagoe: Travel Back in Time to Little Edo

Take a day out of your schedule to discover why they call Kawagoe “Little Edo.” The city is known for its many kurazukuri-style houses, which are traditional warehouses that were used to store family assets and commercial products in the past. These houses were quite common in the Edo period, and they are scattered across the city. Kurazukuri Street has the highest concentration of these warehouse-style traditional buildings in Kawagoe and is perfect for history lovers.

Adjacent to Kurazukuri Street lies Candy Alley, a narrow road dominated by candy stores. It’s the perfect place to grab some traditional Japanese sweets. We’ve provided all the details you need to explore this preserved Edo-period town in a recent post about Kawagoe. It includes tips on how to get there in 30-50 minutes.

Hitachi Seaside Park: Seasonal Blooms Worth the Trip

If you haven’t been to Hitachi Seaside Park, you’re missing out on one of Japan’s most Instagrammable spots. Located in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki, the park is around 2 hours away from Central Tokyo. The fastest way to get there is to take a train from Shinagawa, Ueno, or Tokyo Station heading to Katsuta Station. The ride to Katsuta on the JR Hitachi line should last for about an hour. When you reach the train station, take a 15-minute bus ride to Hitachi Seaside Park West Gate.

The 190-hectare park is famous for its massive flower fields and gardens. It also features several souvenir shops, natural landscapes, a water sports center, cycling and golf courses, a history gallery, and an art studio. However, flowers remain the park’s main attractions. Below is an overview of what flowers bloom during each Japanese season. Use it to plan your visit.

• Spring (March to May): nemophila (baby blue eyes), narcissus, tulip, and linaria.

• Summer (June to August): zinnia, sunflower, and kochia. 

• Autumn (September to November): cosmos and kochia.

• Winter (December to February): Japanese plum and ice tulip.

Chichibu: Sacred Shrines and Nature Escapes

The mountains of Chichibu, Saitama, offer the perfect hiking opportunities for tourists staying in Tokyo. Join one of the direct express trains provided by Seibu Railway for a seamless journey to Chichibu. Take in the dramatic landscapes as you follow the many hiking trails in this super-friendly neighborhood. Some of these trails, like the Mitsumine Shrine Trail, lead to centuries-old temples tucked into forests. Chichibu is about an hour and a half from Tokyo.

Atami: Coastal Relaxation and Artistic Inspiration

Accessible via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) and local trains on the JR Tokaido Line, Atami is a great place for a day trip from Tokyo. This relaxing seaside town on the Izu Peninsula boasts several onsen and ryokans that offer great views of the ocean. Its most amazing places include the MOA Museum of Art with its traditional-style garden, a castle-like museum called Atami Castle, and Kiunkaku with its former ryokan buildings.

Unusual Tokyo Day Trips: Quirky and Off-the-Beaten-Path

To further diversify your options, we’ve recommended quirky destinations that offer a unique day out. Check out our suggestions:

• Ogawa: a riverside town known as the washi paper village because of its role in the Japanese washi paper industry.

• Nihon Minka-en: an open-air folk museum showcasing historic buildings and traditional Japanese crafts.

• Mount Tsukuba: a twin-peaked mountain featuring hiking trails and panoramic views of lush flora.

• Kameiwa Cave: an Instagrammable cave that once served as part of a rice field irrigation system. You can hear the waterfalls as soon as you get in.

Tips for Planning the Perfect Day Trip From Tokyo

Take note of the following tips for smooth Tokyo tours all year round:

• Only pack essential items to ensure you remain as light as possible when you move around.

• If you want to avoid large crowds of Japanese people and foreign travelers, don’t plan your day tour as a weekend trip or on a public holiday.

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you may be doing a lot of walking.

• Check weather reports before stepping out so that you may dress accordingly.

• Train travel will be vital, so get a JR Pass for unlimited trips during your stay in Tokyo.

• Pick three primary spots to spend the majority of your time in the city. Use the remainder of your time to visit the secondary sites.

• Eat light before leaving Tokyo so that you can fully enjoy the local cuisine during your tour.

• Remember to rest for a few days after taking several trips in a row.

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