Beyond Tokyo

Tokyo is the biggest city in the world, with a population of just over 37 million. If it’s your first time in Tokyo, you’ll have more than enough to see and do, even if you stay for a week!

There’s always something going on in Tokyo, but if you’d like to go beyond the city’s limits, then there are many excellent destinations you can go to on day trips. Tokyo’s transportation system is so expansive and efficient that you can cover great distances in a relatively short amount of time, even without taking the Shinkansen.

First-timers will have their hands full in Tokyo, but if you have the time, here are some of the coolest places you can visit on a day trip.

COOL DAY TRIPS FROM TOKYO

Despite Tokyo’s public transportation system being incredibly efficient, some people may not want to travel long distances so I’ve arranged this list of Tokyo day trips by distance, starting with the attractions with the shortest travel time from Shinjuku Station.

Tap on the links below to jump to any section of the guide. Estimated times are for one-way travel.

For the purpose of this guide, all estimated travel times and fares are from Shinjuku Station / Bus Terminal but that may not be the best departure point for you. You can use Google Maps to find the best route from your hotel.

Tokyo has many rail and bus lines so there are multiple ways to get from point A to point B depending on where you are and what time of the day you go.

Most of the recommended destinations below are accessible via the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, a rail pass that entitles you to unlimited travel on JR trains and participating non-JR trains in the Kanto Region around Tokyo for three consecutive days.

If you’re planning on doing multiple day trips, then the JR Tokyo Wide Pass can be a good investment. More on that at the end of this article.

UNDER 1 HR FROM TOKYO

Yokohama

Estimated travel time: 40 mins

It’s a little amusing to start this list of the best day trips from Tokyo – the biggest city in Japan – with Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city.

Located about half an hour south of Tokyo, Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa prefecture. It’s home to a few interesting attractions like Japan’s biggest Chinatown, Sankeien garden, two ramen museums, and Minato Mirai.

Minato Mirai is Yokohama’s central business district. It’s home to shopping centers, hotels, art museums, a convention center, and an amusement park featuring a hundred-meter tall Ferris wheel that was once recognized as the world’s tallest.

If you like ramen, you may want to visit the Cup Noodles Museum in Minato Mirai. It’s a fun interactive museum that traces the history of instant ramen in Japan. I visited the museum’s outlet in Osaka where I created my own custom cup of instant ramen to bring home as a souvenir.

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is the second ramen museum you can visit in Yokohama. It showcases the history and different varieties of ramen found throughout Japan. It has an interesting ramen food hall that was made to resemble the old Shitamachi area in mid-1950s Tokyo. It boasts nine ramen restaurants, each featuring a ramen dish from a different region in Japan.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction tickets in Yokohama.

Kawagoe

Estimated travel time: 1 hr

Located less than an hour northwest of Tokyo, Kawagoe is a castle town in Saitama prefecture. Often referred to as “Little Edo”, it’s famous for its well-preserved warehouses and traditional buildings that give visitors a glimpse of old Japan.

Kawagoe is small so it doesn’t have much in the way of tourist attractions, but the main draw is the town itself. It’s an atmospheric little town that’s become one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Tokyo.

Many old buildings along Kurazukuri Street have been converted into shops, restaurants, and cafes. Like Senso-ji in Asakusa, it’s a great place to enjoy Japanese street food. Kawagoe has been a sweet potato production area for over 250 years so you’ll find plenty of shops selling different kinds of sweet potato snacks and treats.

Speaking of sweet treats, don’t miss Kashiya Yokocho. It’s a narrow alley with dozens of small shops selling different types of traditional Japanese sweets.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction deals in Kawagoe.

1-2 HRS FROM TOKYO

Kamakura

Estimated travel time: 1 hr 15 mins

Like Kawagoe, Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture is one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo. Located a little over an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura is often called the “Kyoto of eastern Japan” thanks to its cluster of temples, shrines, and other historical attractions.

There are many interesting temples and shrines in Kamakura so you can easily spend several hours there. Some of the most popular include Hachimangu Shrine, Engakuji Temple, Jochiji Temple, and Hasedera Temple. Many of these temples are connected by walking trails so it’s a great way to experience both nature and Japanese culture at once.

As much as there is to see in Kamakura, its biggest attraction, literally and figuratively, is the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Built in 1252, it’s an 11.4-meter tall (37.4 ft) bronze statue located on the grounds of Kotokuin Buddhist Temple.

You can visit the Great Buddha and Kamakura’s other temples on your own or on a guided tour (Magical Trip | Get Your Guide | Klook). Thanks to their proximity, many tours will take you to both Kamakura and Enoshima Island.

If you plan on visiting Kamakura and Hakone, then you may want to consider getting a Hakone Kamakura 3-day Pass. It’ll give you unlimited access to transportation services along with discounts to local facilities and attractions.

Enoshima

Estimated travel time: 1 hr 30 mins

If you’re spending the day exploring the temples and shrines of Kamakura, then you may as well continue to Enoshima. It’s a small island just off the coast but connected by bridge to the mainland. You can get there on a quick 20-minute train ride from Kamakura Station.

Enoshima is Tokyo’s most popular beach resort known for its small cluster of Shinto shrines and caves. If you visit in winter, then you may want to check out the Jewel of Shonan winter illumination event. It’s one of three great illumination events held in the Kanto region, making Enoshima one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo in winter.

As described, there are a few guided tours (Get Your Guide | Klook) that take you to both Enoshima and Kamakura.

Atami

Estimated travel time: 1 hr 30 mins

Whenever I visit Japan in winter, one of my absolute favorite things to do is soak in an onsen. It leaves me feeling so warm and relaxed that it’s something I always look forward to at the end of a long day.

Atami is a hot spring town by the coast of Izu peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. Its proximity, less than two hours southwest of the capital, makes it one of the easiest onsen day trips you can make from Tokyo.

Fuji-Q Highland

Estimated travel time: 1 hr 45 mins

If fast roller coasters are your thing, then Fuji-Q Highland makes for an adrenaline-filled day trip from Tokyo.

Known for its thrilling roller coaster rides and anime-themed attractions, Fuji-Q Highland is one of Japan’s most popular amusement parks. Located about 5 km (3.1 miles) south of Kawaguchiko, you’ll have terrific views of Mount Fuji while screaming out your lungs at the apex of a ride.

Fuji-Q Highland is home to a few record-breaking roller coasters. The Eejanaika ride boasts the highest number of spins in the world. Fujiyama was once the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster while Takashiba was the steepest.

Do-Dodonpa – the record-holder for the world’s fastest acceleration – was permanently closed in 2024 due to multiple reports of riders suffering broken bones. Damn!

If that doesn’t scare you off, you can purchase tickets to Fuji-Q Highland at the gate or in advance through Get Your Guide or Klook.

Hakone

Estimated travel time: 2 hrs

If you want to be close to nature while getting terrific views of Mount Fuji, then take the Romancecar to Hakone.

Part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Kanagawa prefecture, Hakone is famous for its onsen resorts, temples, hiking trails, and art museums. It’s also known for its view of Mount Fuji rising up over Lake Ashinoko. Like Lake Kawaguchi, it’s one of the most popular places to view Mount Fuji in Japan.

Located about two hours southwest of Tokyo, you’ll have lots to see and do in Hakone. Aside from soaking in an onsen, some of the most popular activities include hiking, visiting museums and shrines, sailing across Lake Ashinoko, and riding the cable car to Owakudani – an area with volcanically active geysers.

While it is possible to visit on a day trip from Tokyo, there are so many interesting things to do in Hakone that you may want to consider staying the night. It’s an atmospheric mountain town that you won’t want to just rush through.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction deals in Hakone. Whether you stay the night or just visit for the day, the Hakone Freepass can be a great investment. It’ll give you unlimited use of the transportation system for two or three days, on top of discounts to local attractions.

2-3 HRS FROM TOKYO

Lake Kawaguchi

Estimated travel time: 2 hrs 15 mins

Kawaguchiko is the easiest of the Fuji Five Lakes to visit on a day trip from Tokyo. Located over two hours west of Tokyo in Yamanashi prefecture, Lake Kawaguchi is an onsen town offering some of the most iconic views of Mount Fuji.

Kawaguchiko offers clearer, more close-up views of Mount Fuji than Hakone but there isn’t as much to do there. Some of the most popular activities include riding a cable car up the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, cycling around the lake, visiting a museum, and soaking in an onsen.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction deals around Lake Kawaguchi.

Ashikaga Flower Park

Estimated travel time: 2 hrs 15 mins

Wisteria flowers are called “fuji” in Japanese. They’re one of the most beloved flowers in Japan and one of the best places to appreciate them is at Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture.

Located about two and a half hours northeast of Tokyo, you’ll find many different types of flowers at Ashikaga Flower Park. However, its most prized inhabitants are its wisteria trees bearing blue, white, and pink fuji flowers.

Flowers can be appreciated throughout the year at Ashikaga Flower Park but if you want to see fuji, then the best (albeit busiest) time to go is at the start of May when the wisteria trees are in full bloom.

Park highlights include two eighty-meter tunnels (262.5 ft), one with white hanging fuji and the other with wisteria-like yellow kibana flowers. But as beautiful as those tunnels are, the park’s most prized resident has to be its 150+ year old great wisteria tree. It stands as a symbol of the park itself and was declared a national monument by Tochigi prefecture.

Like Enoshima, Ashikaga Flower Park is home to one of the three great winter illumination displays in the Kanto region. It’s typically held from late October till the first week of February.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook to book tours or get advanced tickets to Ashikaga Flower Park.

Nikko

Estimated travel time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Nikko is a town in Tochigi prefecture, about two and a half hours northeast of Tokyo. It’s located at the entrance of Nikko National Park and is home to Toshogu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine. Toshogu serves as the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years.

Nikko was a center for Shinto and Buddhist worship for centuries so it’s famous for its many shrines and temples, none more important than Toshogu, Rinnoji Temple, and Futarasan Shrine. It’s also famed for its mountain landscape characterized by lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking trails.

Pictured below is the sacred Shinkyo Bridge, a striking red bridge many consider to be one of Japan’s most beautiful. It serves as the entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples and at one point, could only be crossed by the shogun.

Known for being one of the best koyo (autumn leaves) viewing spots in Japan, Nikko is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn the park into a striking kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows. Like Hakone, Nikko can be visited on a day trip from Tokyo but there’s plenty to do here to warrant an overnight stay (or longer).

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours and attraction deals in Nikko. If you plan on staying for one or more nights, then you may want to pick up a Nikko Pass. It’ll give you unlimited use of transportation along with discounts to selected tourist facilities, restaurants, and shops.

The Nikko Pass is available in two versions – the Nikko World Heritage 2-day Pass and the Nikko All-area 4-day Pass. You can refer to this article to learn the differences between the two. Both versions are available as digital or physical tickets (same exact benefits).

Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort

Estimated travel time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Aside from soaking in an onsen, skiing is one of my favorite things to do in Japan in winter. Japan, particularly Hokkaido, is known for having some of the finest quality powder snow in the world.

Hokkaido is way too far to visit on a day trip from Tokyo but the more accessible Japanese Alps are home to many fantastic ski resorts. One of the closest is Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort in Niigata prefecture.

Accessible from Shinjuku Station in under two-and-a-half hours (less than two from Tokyo Station), Gala Yuzawa is known for its deep powder and long ski season that typically starts in mid-December and goes until early May.

You can get lift tickets in advance or book skiing/snowboarding lessons at Gala Yuzawa through Klook.

Hitachi Seaside Park

Estimated travel time: 2 hrs 45 mins

You may have seen pictures of this park on social media. Located in Ibakari prefecture, less than three hours northeast of Tokyo, Hitachi Seaside Park is a sprawling park featuring green spaces and seasonal flowers covering an area of 350 hectares.

Flowers bloom at different times of the year but the pictures that often make their rounds on social media are of kokia bushes that turn from a verdant green to a deep fiery red in mid-October.

The red kokia bushes are striking but the park’s most iconic flower is the blue nemophila (pictured below). They mimic the sky’s cerulean blue and are best appreciated from late April to mid-May.

Visit Get Your Guide and Klook for a list of tours to Hitachi Seaside Park from Tokyo. You’ll find a few that take you to both Hitachi Seaside Park and Ashikaga Flower Park on the same day.

JR TOKYO WIDE PASS

If you’re staying long enough in Tokyo and planning on doing a few of the longer day trips recommended here, then the JR Tokyo Wide Pass can be a good investment. It’ll entitle you to unlimited travel on JR trains and selected non-JR trains in the Kanto region for three consecutive days.

Tap on the link for more information on the JR Tokyo Wide Pass. You can purchase the pass at major stations in the Tokyo area or in advance through the official JR East website.

THE FINAL SAY

First-time visitors will have their hands full exploring the many interesting attractions and neighborhoods in Tokyo, but if you’re staying long enough, then you should consider taking a day trip. Like the city itself, there are so many fun things to see and do beyond the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Some of these destinations may seem far but as described, Tokyo’s public transportation is so fast and efficient that they’re commonly visited on day trips.

However, Japan’s rail system can be confusing, especially for first-time visitors. If you aren’t comfortable navigating yourself, then you may want to book a guided tour instead.

Disclosure

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