The Shinkansen (Bullet Train) makes it quick easy to access beautiful and interesting destinations which would usually be too far away to consider for a day trip from Tokyo. Japan has some of the most picturesque mountain and lake landscapes on the planet which you can admire from a lofty perch on aerial cable cars and ropeways – a few of the best areas include Tateyama, Hakone and Lake Kawaguchico.
Everywhere you go there beautiful temples and shrines to visit and towns like Atami and Hakone offer visitors a chance to partake of a traditional onsen (natural hot spring baths). Do not miss the chance to see the country’s best collection of ancient buildings, temples and shines in Kyoto or to see cherry blossom time at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Atami
The small fishing town and hot spring resort of Atami is located on the north east coast of the Izu Peninsula. You can easily get there from Tokyo on the high-speed Tokaido Shinkansen train in less than an hour.
Atami, Ajiro Bay, Shizuoka, Japan
Chiba Castle
A visit to Chiba Castle is an easily-achievable half-day excursion from Tokyo using the train from Tokyo to Hon Chiba Station. The Chiba Castle was originally built in 1126 and was extensively reconstructed in 1967; today it is home to the Chiba City Folk Museum.
Chiba Castle, 1 Chome-6-1 Inohana, Chuo Ward, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan, Phone: +81-4-32-22-82-31
Chichibu
Located northwest of Tokyo in the Saitama prefecture, Chichibu offers a delightful change from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can reach Chichibu in just over an hour by train on a Red Arrow Express from Ikebukuro Station.
Chichibu, Saitama, Japan
Enoshima
A day trip to Enoshima Island is an ideal way of spending some quality time outside the city. The small island is reached by rail from Shinjuku Station and if you visit on weekends you can take a direct train to Katase-Enoshima Station. Once you reach the island you will find interesting little shopping streets which lead up the steep hill to the Enoshima Shrine, which is spread across three areas of the island. Map
Enoshima Island, Fujisawa 251-0036, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Ghibli Museum
Visiting Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum is an entertaining and enchanting way to spend a day, particularly if you are traveling with children. This is no stuffy old-fashioned museum, but rather a celebration of Japan’s Studio Ghibli film studio, which produced many of the country’s most outstanding animated movies.
Ghibli Museum, 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
Hakone
Located less than one hundred kilometers from Tokyo, Hakone is a popular recreational area which is easily accessible from Tokyo by public transport. Hakone offers day trippers a large selection of attractions and activities including beautiful Lake Ashinoko, many natural hot-water springs, an open-air museum and no less than four art museums. You can go on a sight-seeing cruise to see the Hakone Shrine
Hakone , Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Kamakura
If you feel like visiting a coastal town which has good beaches as well as many historical shrines, Kamakura would be a good choice.
Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Kawagoe
You have a choice of three railway companies offering a quick and easy rail trip from central Tokyo to Kawagoe, which was once a major supplier of all types of commodities.
Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Lake Kawaguchico
Lake Kawaguchico is the most easily accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes (from Tokyo), offering excellent views of captivating Mount Fuji. The best time to see Mount Fuji is early morning so an overnight stay is highly recommended. You can ride the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to an observation point on Mount Tenjo, from where you will have a good view of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
Lake Kawaguchico, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Kawasaki
Located between Tokyo and Yokohama, the seaside city of Kawasaki is not a particularly touristy city, but there are a few attractions which make it an interesting destination for day trippers from Tokyo.
Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Kasatsu Onsen Town
Kasatsu Onsen Town is located high up in the mountains of the Gunma Prefecture and, depending on the season, you could combine your hot springs experience with some hiking or skiing.
Kasatsu Onsen Town, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Kyoto
Previously the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is one of Japan’s largest cities, home to a wealth of ancient buildings, including temples and shrines, which survived World War II.
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Honshu Island, Japan
Lockheart Castle
Imagine finding a Scottish Castle in the heart of Japan. Although this seems very unlikely, it is exactly what you will find when you take a day trip to Lockheart Castle, close to Numata.
Lockheart Castle, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Misaki Town and Jogashima Island
Located at the tip of the Miura Peninsula, the small coastal town of Misaki and the interesting island of Jogashima are a great day-trip destination from Tokyo. Misaki is widely known as “city of tuna” and is home to some of the best and freshest Tuna in Japan.
Misaki Town and Jogashima Island, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Mount Takao (Takaosan)
When you are in the mood for a day of outdoor recreation you can set off to explore Mount Takao, one of Tokyo’s closest outdoor recreational areas.
Mount Takao, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
Mount Fuji
If you want to get up close to Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji there are a few ways to go about it. If you just want to see this perfectly cone-shaped volcano from a distance (to snap a photo) you can try hopping aboard the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto – this journey offers good views of the mountain about an hour into your journey.
Mount Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Nikko
Located at the entrance to the Nikko National Park, which is home to Japan’s most opulent shine Toshogu, and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Leyasu, who was the founder of the Tokugawa shoguns.
Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Nokogiriyama (Mount Nokogiri)
Nokogiriyama offers day trippers a very beautiful landscape to explore on foot as well as amazing views and the chance to see Japan’s largest stone Buddha.
Nokogiriyama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Odawara City
Odawara City is an historic castle town located just south of Tokyo, where it offers visitors an interesting day out. You can travel to Odawara on the Shinkansen in just 45 minutes from central Tokyo.
Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Okutama
Located on the western edge of Tokyo, Okutama offers day trippers a very beautiful outdoor recreational area within easy reach of the city.
Okutama, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Takasaki
Conveniently located on the Shinkansen (bullet train) line north-west of Tokyo, Takasaki offers visitors a taste of an older-style Japanese city, with quaint shops, good dining and some cultural activities.
Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Tateyama
For a glimpse of some of Japan’s most scenic landscapes you can take a day trip along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route which is a sensational scenic route through the Northern Japan Alps.
Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Ushiku Daibutsu
Ushiku Daibutsu was the largest Buddha in the world until 2008, according to the Guinness Book of Records, and a visit to this very spiritual place deserves a place on your list of day trips from Tokyo.
Ushiku Daibutsu, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Yokohama
Your visit to Japan would be incomplete without spending at least one day exploring Yokohama, one of Japan’s largest cities. You can easily get to Yokohama from Tokyo by fast train in about 48 minutes.
Yokohama , Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
