Tokyo is great—there’s no doubt about that—but sometimes you just want to escape and see another side to Japan. And we’re here to help you do just that with these easy day trips from Tokyo.
The skyscrapers can be suffocating in the summer heat and isolating in winter, but don’t limit yourself to this metropolis. From river-boat journeys to vineyards, mountain ranges to island hikes—a day trip from Tokyo can be a whole mini-holiday in itself. If you’re keen to see what else is out there, then here, in no particular order, are our top 25 easy day trips from Tokyo to make your feet itch! Note that all prices listed are estimates.
Pro tip: Before buying your train tickets, see if the JR Tokyo Wide Pass will save you some money.
1. Kamakura
1 hour 5 minutes from Shinjuku StationDirect
¥940 (one way)
One of the more popular spots, Kamakura is well known for its traditional Kyoto style, with temples and shrines galore. There are great light hiking options as well as plenty of delicious local street foods to try. You can easily cover the area in a day, with hikes taking you to see the famed giant Buddha as well as some of the beautiful shrines with bamboo forests, teahouses and more. For a full run-down of what’s on offer, see our Kamakura mega guide!
Pro tip: There are some really good guided tours of Kamakura available.
2. Odawara City
75 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥1,520 (one way)
To see the closest castle keep to Tokyo, Odawara is a great day trip with a beautiful castle carefully restored from Edo-period drawings. You can also enjoy the fishing port for a slap-up lunch of freshly caught fish in a donburi (rice bowl dish) at the Odawara Fish Market Den. Stroll in the relaxing Tsujimura Botanical Gardens to round off your afternoon before heading back to the big city! Read about more castles near Tokyo.
3. Ibaraki’s Ushiku Daibutsu
90 minutes from Tokyo StationTrain + bus
¥1,690 (one way)
An unusual day trip takes you to see the second largest Buddha in the world—and to explore his rather surreal insides. In basically the middle of nowhere in the nearby prefecture of Ibaraki, the statue is a perfect excuse for a day in the country and a picnic. You can venture inside the Buddha to practice calligraphy, see 3,000 golden Buddhas, have your shrine book signed, and enjoy views from the observation deck. The surrounding gardens have a petting zoo, koi pond, and flower displays which change with the season. Have a look at the full Ushiku Daibutsu article if you fancy scaling the beast.
4. Enoshima
70 minutes from Tokyo Station1 transfer
¥1,150 (one way)
The most popular beach resort of Tokyo, Enoshima offers sands to lie on and a stunning island to explore—depending on your preference. The island can be walked to from the station, and you can do an easy loop, either arriving or returning by boat (it’s a lot of walking otherwise). You may prefer to walk first, then you can visit the shrines, walk to the lighthouse and gardens and then cool off in the caves before enjoying the sea views and catching a boat back to the shore! Take your pick from the various Enoshima options.
5. Kawagoe
1 hour from Tokyo Station1 transfer
¥680 (one way)
Nicknamed Little Edo, Kawagoe is a charming town which has preserved the Edo feel with traditional buildings and plenty of great food. A 15- to 30-minute walk from Kawagoe Station, Kurazukuri Street is lined with preserved warehouse buildings characterized by clay walls and tiles. There are over 200 in the surrounding area and many have been turned into cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of great traditional (and reasonable) lunch sets with the specialty being eel.
Ed’s note: Eel (unagi) is endangered, so you may want to think twice before ordering it.
There is also a whole street dedicated to sweets. If you go on the 18th of the month, you’ll see plenty of kimono-wearers (and can wear one yourself if you like) as discounts are given to those sporting the traditional outfits. See if this is the day trip for you with our comprehensive Kawagoe guide.
6. Kawasaki
18 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥310 (one way)
Smaller and not as well known as Kanagawa Prefecture‘s largest city (Yokohama), Kawasaki is still a lovely city with plenty to explore. While it might be best known for a certain festival, Kawasaki has other attractions, including the rather massive Daishi Temple, the Doraemon Museum and the Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum to stroll around (known as the Nihon Minkaen). Unfortunately Kawasaki’s famous dystopian warehouse amusement arcade has now closed.
7. Takasaki
113 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥1,980 (one way)
Takasaki is a laid-back city in Gunma with that off-the-beaten-track feel, as it is a rarely visited gem. The city is the home of Daruma—the angry-faced figures you will no doubt have seen on your travels, who bring good luck in accomplishing goals. A large majority of them are made here and you can find plenty for sale as souvenirs. There’s also the Takasaki Daruma Ichi—a market full of Daruma held on January 6th and 7th. You can visit the Jigenin Temple complex to see Darumas of every shape and size, which also happens to be near one of the biggest Kannon statues in Japan. The White-Robed Kannon stands at 40 m tall and you can enjoy views from the top for ¥300. Combine that with a walk along the traditional Ishiharamachi shopping street and you’ll have a grand day out!
8. Nikko
2.5 hours from Tokyo Station3 transfers
2-day pass available: ¥2,040 (round trip)
Easily extended into a weekend trip but great for a busy day too, Nikko is famed for its stunning scenery and numerous temples and shrines. You can explore the cultural spots or escape into nature, or combine the two as the town is pretty small. Make sure to visit the incredibly elegant Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to the founding rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. See our Nikko guide for more info.
9. Atami
106 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥1,980 (one way)
An onsen resort sadly declining in popularity, Atami is a brilliant day trip from Tokyo as it has plenty of unusual attractions to keep you entertained. As well as soaking in salt-water hot springs and enjoying the views, you can visit the fake castle which actually houses displays about real castles (seems harsh), enjoy the trick art museum and even get the gondola up to the sex museum aka Treasure House (that actually makes it weirder?). There is also an excellent art museum with a mixture of Eastern and Western pieces, including work by Monet, Rembrandt and Ogata Korin. It’s also a good destination for divers.
Also for the non-cheapo in a hurry, you can take the Shinkansen to Atami and slim the journey time down to 40 minutes.
10. Kawaguchiko
130+ minutes from Shinjuku Station2+ transfers
¥2,690+ (one way)
Mount Fuji is probably pretty high on your list, and unless you’re climbing it, a view of the world-famous volcano is hard to beat. Enter Kawaguchiko. Here you can choose from views across fields of moss phlox, clear lakes or lavender—in fact, there aren’t many places that won’t have Fuji-san somewhere in the background. With annual flower festivals, plenty of museums and nature spots, onsen and more, Kawaguchiko is an easy day trip from Tokyo with lots to choose from. Take a look at our full Kawaguchiko day trip guide for all the info, especially on how to get there, as highway buses may be a better option than trains for some visitors.
Pro tip: This day trip tour, which includes a visit to the fifth station of Mount Fuji, plus a ride on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and a stop-off at Lake Kawaguchi, all for ¥11,900, is a good-value way to see the sights.
11. Nokogiriyama
120 minutes from Tokyo Station1–2 transfers
¥1,980 (one way)
For a real escape into nature, Nokogiriyama aka Sawtooth Mountain is an amazing hike filled with quarry drops, stunning views and plenty of Buddhas. The Nihonji Temple complex is stretched out across the mountain top and has plenty explore. From the largest cliff-carved Buddha to a 30-meter Goddess of Mercy with 1500 (mostly decapitated) Arhat in between, you’ll be kept busy with the stairs carved into the mountain. The famous View to Hell is really incredible, both to look at and enjoy yourself, and is right by the Goddess of Mercy, which might allay some vertigo fears. Check out our guide to getting to hell and back!
12. Kusatsu Onsen Town
4 hoursHighway bus
Tickets from ¥1,500 (one way)
Up high in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu is one of the three top onsen resort towns in Japan, with some amazing and unique hot spring experiences. Drawing their water from Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, the onsen have to employ unusual ways to cool it down, as it is too hot to bathe in. In the town center, you will see the Yubatake—a large cooling field—and you can even watch the traditional Yumomi method of cooling in a nearby onsen. The water has very high levels of sulphur though, so be prepared for a rather strong smell of boiled eggs.
You can also visit Mount Shirane to see the crater lake—since the no-entry zone has now been reduced to 500 m, the resthouse and trails are open again. JR buses are probably the simplest route, with trains taking four hours (unless you go express or Shinkansen) and costing upwards of ¥3,000.
13. Mount Takao
1 hour from Shinjuku StationDirect
¥390 (one way)
Easy to get to, fun to hike, and home to a monkey park, Takao is a brilliant day trip for hikers and is only an hour from Tokyo! There is the lovely Yakuoin Temple around half-way up the mountain, with a creepy bird-faced Tengu standing guard. Once you reach the top there are amazing panoramic views of Tokyo and Mt. Fuji to enjoy, as well as a wild plant garden and the aforementioned monkey park. Check out our guide to hiking routes near Tokyo including Takao.
14. Okutama
100 minutes from Shinjuku Station1–2 transfers
¥1,100 (one way)
A beautiful natural haven filled with mountains, rivers, waterfalls and plenty more—Okutama is perfect for a long weekend or a quick escape. There are full-day hiking trails like this one, which takes you across three mountains, or you can try some of the more relaxed wanderings in the valleys. The upper reaches of the Tama River are a brilliant place to relax away from the sweltering city heat in summer and also offers a wide range of water sports. You can also visit Nippara Cave—the longest in the Kanto region.
15. Hakone
100 minutes from Tokyo Station1 transfer
¥1,840 (one way)
Home to hot springs galore, onsen eggs, mountains and teahouses, Hakone is one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo. Perfect for a more nature-based escape, it has these three great hiking trails as well as gondolas to volcanic valleys and pirate ships to traverse the beautiful lake. There are over a dozen museums in the area so you can take your pick from wandering around the Hakone Open Air Museum to Impressionist collections at the Pola Museum.
Read more about the things you can get up to in Hakone in our full Hakone guide!
16. Misaki Town and Jogashima Island
65 minutes from Shinagawa StationDirect
¥950 (one way)
If you really want to escape, there’s nowhere better than an island to really feel like you’ve put some distance between you and Tokyo. On the Miura coast of Kanagawa, the small fishing town of Misaki has its own fish market early in the morning and plenty of fresh fish to fill up on too. The market finishes at 9 am, so if you arrive early you can see it in action. Jogashima Island is rocky with some swimming spots and a hiking trail that takes you all the way round—a distance of about 3–4 km. This day trip guide has more details.
17. Yokohama
25 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥480 (one way)
The second biggest city in Japan with over 3 million people, Yokohama has plenty to keep you entertained if you’re after a city break from your city break. With stunning night views across Minato Mirai waterfront area, not one but two ramen museums (the Cup Noodle Museum and the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum), an amazing art scene, the beautiful Sankei-en Gardens and a massive Chinatown, you can have a brilliantly busy day out in a more relaxed city!
18. Chichibu
160 minutes from Tokyo Station1+ transfers
¥1,790 (one way)
Known mainly for its shiba-zakura festival in spring, Chichibu is a small-ish city in Western Saitama with plenty to enjoy. Originally an industrial town, they are moving toward tourism, and with incredible mountains surrounding them it shouldn’t be a difficult transition. There are plenty of shrines and temples to visit as well as a pilgrimage route featuring 34 Buddhist temples. The city has long had a strong reputation for meisen, a special silk produced only in the city and highly lauded in Edo times. You can still visit the Meisenkan to see original looms and purchase some locally made silk.
19. Mito
130 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥2,310 (one way)
The capital city of nearby Ibaraki Prefecture, Mito was once the stronghold of the Mito clan in the Edo period. It is now most famous for the stunning Kairaku-en Gardens, which are one of the top three in the country. The gardens were designed by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth feudal lord of the clan as one of the first public gardens (even though it was only for samurai level and above). There are regular buses running from the station to the gardens and you can also enjoy the incredibly modern Art Tower and the Mito City Museum. For a more nature-based day out, you could visit Lake Senba and cycle around as there are bike rental places nearby. If you’re there in spring, there’s a delightful plum festival.
20. Disneyland and DisneySea
25 minutes from Tokyo Station1 transfer
¥480 (one way)
Among the more unique Disney resorts, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are markedly different from the others dotted across the world. Aside from just enjoying all the usual rides and Disney stuff, you can visit the only DisneySea, try the variety of popcorn flavors and enjoy all the matching costumes (and this time we mean the guests, not the characters!). These two parks are (we’re told) the only ones in the world not wholly owned by Disney (although they do have creative control), so it is a great chance to see a Japanese twist on classics—although don’t worry, nothing key has been altered!
Pro tip: Book tickets online to ensure ease of entry. If you’re keen to head to the fun straight from the airport, check out our Narita to Disney guide. If you want pointers to good hotels in the area, check out our Disney accommodation guide, and for general tips on saving money at the theme park, read up here.
21. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Multiple routes via Nagano, Toyama or Shinano-Omachi | Routes largely covered by JR Pass
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is an incredible display of the Northern Japanese Alps, with each season offering a different experience. The route stretches between Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture. There are stunning views of alpine flowers and autumn leaves along the route, which can be traversed by a combination of bus, cable car, ropeway and foot depending on your preference.
One of the highlights are the views from Murodo, which has numerous hiking trails, and the 186-meter-tall Kurobe Dam within the Kurobe Gorge. The route is most famous for the snow corridor; visitors can walk among snow walls of up to 20 m high between mid-April to mid-June. In general, this destination is best suited for Japan Rail Pass holders, as it can be a pricy trip otherwise.
22. Nagatoro and the Arakawa River
140 minutes from Tokyo Station2 transfers
¥1,950 (one way)
If you really want to get back to nature, Nagatoro offers some of the most stunning, unspoiled nature in all of Japan, as well as the chance to get involved. You can enjoy a river boat tour through some surprisingly rapid waters, with over 200,000 visitors trying it every year. If you like a little danger, you can try white water rafting or paragliding, and if you don’t, there’s a riverside hiking trail too. The small town is home to Hodosan Mountain Shrine, and Iwadatami shopping street which is filled with local produce. There’s an occassional steam train, the “Paleo Express” running on the Chichibu railway, which stops for a while and let’s off steam at Nagatoro – you can buy platform tickets for 170 yen if you want to get a close up look. Remember to try the local specialty of walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes, as well as locally made soba and udon.
23. Chiba City
40 minutes from Tokyo StationDirect
¥650 (one way)
One of the closest day trips from Tokyo, Chiba City is packed with all things traditional as well as some amazing modern creations too. The castle is a folk museum with plenty to learn, and Chiba Shrine is an impressive spot not to be missed. You can enjoy some great art at the Hoki Museum, which focuses on realism and has a variety of works. There is also the Chiba Museum of Art and the Science Museum, so no one is left wanting on the museum front.
To get around the city you can enjoy the world’s longest suspended monorail which feels wrong, but is definitely safe. One of the most visited spots is the Chiba Port Tower, which was built to commemorate the population reaching 5 million in the 1980s, and offers a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. There are numerous parks and even a zoo complete with panda—so you can balance your day perfectly!
24. Katsunuma
140 minutes from Tokyo Station1 transfer
¥1,980 (one way)
Fans of wine, look no further. Katsunuma is one of the top three wine producers in the country, and is only a stone’s throw away in nearby Yamanashi Prefecture. Despite the humidity, wine has been successfully produced in Japan since the Meiji Period (with Emperor Meiji being a great fan himself). It does require a slightly different procedure compared to grapes grown in less humid countries, but is no less delicious!
With plenty of wineries nearby, you can enjoy unlimited tastings like the ¥1,100 option at Budo no Oka, or just enjoy the hospitality of the different wineries on your route—although purchasing is recommended eventually. Along with the grapes, the area produces plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and you can easily pick up some delicious treats for dinner before heading home.
25. Matsumoto
4.5 hours from Tokyo Station1-3 transfers
¥4,070 (one way) (or highway bus from ¥3,500)
Perhaps a little far for it to be an easy day trip from Tokyo, Matsumoto is still definitely worth it. A classy town with a famous castle, a nearby onsen town, mountain ranges and ideal for cycling around, it can’t be beaten. Super in spring, Matsumoto is a thriving town with weekend markets and plenty of museums, including the Timepiece Museum. One of the highlights is the Yayoi Kusama permanent exhibition at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. The wealth of artworks of the world-famous, Matsumoto-born artist as well as the multiple interactive elements make this an exceptional display that cannot be missed.
Crow Castle is one of the premier historic castles in Japan and has been fitted with an authentic recreation internally. The city has plenty of temples and shrines to cycle between, as well as Nawate Street: a riverside shopping street filled with curios and treats. If you’re tempted, read our Matsumoto guide to be convinced!
Pro tip: You can book bus tickets on Kosoku Bus.
Watch our video for 5 of the top Tokyo day trips
First published in July 2017. Last updated in May 2022. All information is subject to change, including prices.
閱讀中文版本: 25個精選東京近郊一日遊
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