14 Best Day trips from Tokyo
Tokyo is a wonderful city with its towering skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, and delicious cuisine. But as much as you love this metropolis, there might come a time when you crave for a change of scenery and a different side of Japan. That's why we've compiled a list of the top easy day trips from Tokyo to help you get away from the hectic pace and busy atmosphere and discover some of the best places to visit in Japan.
There are many trips you can take for a day from Tokyo when you need to find your zen. It's easy to enjoy a traditional onsen, a walk in the mountains or a breathtaking trip to see Mount Fuji. Less than an hour away you can see Kawagoe, an atmospheric Japanese town lined with machiya houses, or walk along the river in Todoraki Valley to be surrounded by nature.
Insider tip: If you're taking day trips from Tokyo as part of your Japan itineraries, make sure to have a JR Pass to save money on the trains. Don't forget to order your pocket wifi so you're connected while you travel.
Pack your day bags and get ready for day trip adventures! Here are my favourite Tokyo day trips I recommend to everyone who loves Japan.
What would be best for a day trip in Tokyo?
Is 7 days too long in Tokyo?
Is Hakone a day trip from Tokyo?
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Nikko
2.5 hours from Tokyo Station | JR Tohoku Shinkansen + JR Nikko Line | ¥5,480
Take a trip to the beautiful city of Nikko, located in the Tochigi prefecture. Nikko has stunning temples and shrines, as well as its natural beauty being home to the Nikko national park, as well as the breathtaking Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
One of the most popular attractions in Nikko is the Toshogu Shrine, which is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shrine is renowned for its stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and the elaborate decoration that covers its buildings and gates. Don't miss the famous "Three Wise Monkeys" sculptures, which symbolize the Buddhist principle of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."
I can't recommend a day trip to Nikko without trying the delicious Yuba (tofu skin) which is a local speciality here, traditionally made by monks in the Nikko temples. Don't miss a quick trip to the Watanabe Sahei Sake Brewery, for a free sake brewery tour.
Nikko can be reached from Tokyo by train, and the journey takes about 2 hours. There's so much to do in Nikko, your day trip will be packed with adventure, history, culture and great food!
Todoroki Valley
45 minutes from Tokyo Station | Yamanote Line + Meguro Line + Ōimachi Line | ¥370
My absolute favourite day trip from Tokyo is to the Todoraki Valley. It's a relatively hidden gem, as not many foreign tourists know of it. While technically still within Tokyo, Todoraki Valley is about 45 minutes away from central Tokyo.
Todoroki Valley is a picturesque and serene valley located in Setagaya Ward. The valley is known for its tranquil environment, which is surrounded by lush greenery and a babbling stream. It's one of the best places to visit during autumn for the koyo season, as it looks so vibrant and colourful along the hiking trails.
There are several temples and shrines located in the valley, including the Todoroki Fudoson Temple, which is dedicated to the deity of fire.
Kamakura
55 minutes from Tokyo Station | Yokosuka Line | ¥940
Kamakura is a popular day trip from Tokyo as it is well known for its rich Japanese history and cultural heritage. The city served as the political and cultural centre of Japan from 1185 to 1333, and it is home to many important historical landmarks, including temples, shrines, and castles.
Reaching Kamakura is a breeze with the JR Yokosuka Line, which provides a direct and efficient route from Tokyo Station. With a one-way fare of 940 yen, this train journey only takes just under 1 hour and offers a comfortable and convenient way to get to Kamakura.
The most popular attraction in Kamakura is the Kamakura Daibutsu, a massive bronze statue of the Buddha that stands 13.35 meters tall. The statue is considered one of the largest of its kind in the whole country.
Make sure to visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which is considered one of the most significant shrines in Japan. The shrine is located in the city centre and is surrounded by a beautiful garden, which makes it a popular spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Hakone
60 minutes from Tokyo Station | Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen | ¥4030
Hakone is a scenic town located in the mountains of the Kanagawa Prefecture and a popular day trip destination due to its beautiful natural scenery, hot springs, and easy access from Tokyo.
The most popular attractions in Hakone is the Owakudani Valley, which is a volcanic valley with hot springs, stunning views, and the famous black eggs that are boiled in the hot spring water. Take a ride on the Hakone Tozan Railway, for the surreal scenic views of the surrounding mountains, and ride the cable car over the Great Boiling Valley to see the sulphurous springs from above.
Take a boat ride on Lake Ashinoko and enjoy incredible views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. Hakone is famous with day trippers for its many Japanese onsen. Relax and soak in one of the many onsen in Hakone. And if you are thinking of making Hakone into a weekend trip, make sure to stay in one of the ryokans with access to a private onsen, breakfast and dinner included.
Yokohama
30-40 minutes from Tokyo Station | Keihin-Tōhoku Line or Yokosuka Line or Tōkaidō Line | ¥480
Yokohama is a fantastic day trip from the capital city, as it takes just 30 minutes on the train to get from Tokyo Station to Yokohama station. Yokohama is one of the most important ports in Japan and the second largest city in the country!
One of the main attractions in Yokohama is the Minato Mirai 21 district, which is a modern and vibrant area filled with shopping centres, restaurants, and attractions. Visit the Landmark Tower which is the tallest building in Japan and head to the Yamashita Park for picnics and walks.
Yokohama is home to the largest Chinatown district in the country, which is a great spot for food and shopping for Japanese souvenirs.
Enoshima
70 minutes from Tokyo Station | Yokosuka Line or Tōkaidō Line + Shonan Monorail | ¥1140
Enoshima is a small island located in the Sagami Bay, just 60-90 minutes from Tokyo station or Shinjuku station by train. It is a popular day trip destination for visitors to Tokyo and is known for its beautiful natural scenery including its long beaches such as the gorgeous Enoshima Beach.
The main attractions on Enoshima is the Enoshima Shrine, which is a historic shrine that is said to have been built over 1,400 years ago. The shrine is located on the top of a hill on the island and offers panoramic views of the surrounding bay.
Enoshima is perfect for outdoorsy day trippers as you can enjoy hiking, cycling, and swimming. The island has so many picturesque trails that provide breathtaking views of the bay and its surrounding mountain ranges. Make sure to visit the Enoshima Beach, a favourite spot for those looking to take a dip in the water or soak up the sun.
Mount Takao
70 minutes from Tokyo Station | Chūō Line | ¥940
Mount Takao is a popular mountain located in the suburbs of Tokyo and popular for hiking and nature lovers, as it offers scenic views of the surrounding area. Mount Takao is easily accessible by train, with a journey time of just 50 minutes from central Tokyo.
Mount Takao is one of the best Tokyo day trips if you love hiking through lush forest, see waterfalls and make it to the summit of the mountain.
Insider Tip: From the summit of Mount Takao you can see stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area including the city of Tokyo, Mount Fuji and nearby mountains.
Kawagoe
70 minutes from Yūrakuchō Station | Yurakucho Line | ¥610
Kawagoe is a short train ride away from central Tokyo and a wonderful place to visit to see the well-preserved historical district. Also called Little Edo, Kawagoe has many machiya houses and shops from the Edo period (1603-1868), perfect to photograph.
Don't miss the gorgeous Kurazukuri Street, which is lined with old storehouses made of clay and thatched roofs. These storehouses were once used by merchants to store their goods, and many of them are in great condition.
You'll find plenty of delicious foods here, with street foods and snacks. It's a lovely area for shopping too if you're after traditional souvenirs. On my day trip here, I purchased Inari masks as gifts.
Nagano
1h20min from Tokyo Station | Hokuriku-Shinkansen | ¥8140
Nagano is one of my favourite places for Tokyo day trips because it's the getaway to the Japanese Alps. The city is wonderful if you're looking to go skiing for the day in the winter or want to hike in the summer to escape the hot and humid Tokyo. Nagano is a great day trip destination from Tokyo if you're looking to experience the beauty of the Japanese Alps, learn about traditional Japanese culture and history, and enjoy delicious food.
A popular attraction in Nagano is the Jigokudani Monkey Park, which is home to a large population of Japanese snow monkeys. You can see them bathe in the onsen while in their natural habitat and take adorable photos of them.
For onsen lovers, head to Yudanaka located in Nagano area, a hot spring town with well-preserved traditional buildings.
Chichibu
1h30 min from Ikebukuro Station | Seibu Chichibu Line | ¥990
The main reasons to take a day trip to Chichibu is the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and to attend the Chichibu Spring Flower Festival in Hitsujiyama Park. During the festival, you will see superb pink moss that comes into bloom around late April to early May.
If you're visiting Japan in winter, make sure to visit The Chichibu Night Festival, which takes places in December at the Chichibu Shrine.
Chichibu is a city located just an hour and a half away from Tokyo and can easily be reached by train. The Seibu Chichibu Line provides a direct connection from Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo to Chichibu, making it a convenient and hassle-free day trip destination.
Lake Kawaguchiko
2h30min from Tokyo Station | Chūō Line + Chuo Line + Fujikyuko Line | ¥2690
Lake Kawaguchiko is one of the five lakes surrounding Mount Fuji-san and one of the most beautiful places to visit from Tokyo. It's easy to access via public transport from Tokyo or as part of a guided tour if you want a more convenient way to travel.
For the best views of Mount Fuji head to the northern shores of the lake. I especially recommend that you visit during the cherry blossom season or for the autumn colours in the first half of November.
Hitachi seaside park
2h10min from Tokyo Station | HITACHI and TOKIWA + Bus | ¥5070
Hitachi Seaside Park is a popular day trip destination from Tokyo, located about 2 hours away by train. You'll need to ride the train from Tokyo Station to Katsuta Station, then transfer to a bus that takes them directly to the Hitachi seaside park.
The Hitachi seaside park is open year-round and is renowned for its vast fields of flowers, including the baby blue eyes flower that blooms in spring and the kochia shrubs that turn red in autumn.
This particular day trip is most popular for families as there are many gentle walks, a garden, an amusement park and a picnic area.
Kawasaki
26min from Tokyo Station | Keihin-Tōhoku Line or Tōkaidō Line | ¥310
Kawasaki is a great city with plenty of shopping and entertainment options located south of Tokyo. One of the most famous attractions is the Kawasaki Daishi temple founded in 1128 and is dedicated to the Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi, who is also known as Kukai.
A more unconventional attraction is the Kanamara matsuri, which is a Shinto fertility festival held in Kawasaki. During the festival, participants carry large phallus-shaped objects through the streets in a parade, as well as offering prayers for fertility health. One of the most fun things to do at the festival is to go to the various food stalls and order phallus-shaped food items.
Tokyo Disneyland
16min from Tokyo Station | Keiyō Line or Musashino Line | ¥220
Tokyo Disneyland is one of the best day trips from Tokyo if you are a family with kids. Tokyo Disneyland is a theme park located in Urayasu, Chiba, and it's one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland offers a variety of attractions and experiences for visitors, including classic Disney rides, live shows, and meet and greet with popular Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy.
To get to Tokyo Disneyland take JR Keiyo/Musashino Line from Tokyo Station to the JR Maihama Station (the 6th stop). It takes about 17 minutes and the journey is covered by Japan Rail Pass.
As you can tell there are so many cool day trips from Tokyo for whenever you feel the need to explore fields of flowers, see gorgeous mountains or walk on traditional machiya lined streets. When you visit Tokyo next, you can add all sort of fun day trips to your itinerary to get to see more of Japanese culture and eat an array of wonderful foods outside of the capital city.
If you are looking for more Tokyo information, I've got you covered, as this is my favourite destination in the world. Check out where to stay in Tokyo and don't forget to go through my 7 day Tokyo itinerary. I've prepared a whole article on things to do in Tokyo as well as best Tokyo restaurants and epic Japanese food you won't want to miss. Finally, don't forget to check my most comprehensive Japan guide which has all the information and articles you need to plan the best Japan trip ever.
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All these wintery destinations have me excited to one day get to Japan! I'd love to go snowboarding somewhere in Japan and it's great to know there are options right outside Tokyo.
Awesome post. I LOVE Tokyo and want to go back once again, but would like to do more day trips. I’ve visited Kamakura, which was super. Will definitely refer back to this post for ideas when I (hopefully) get back again!
Omg I go to Tokyo often because I live in Sendai. I haven't gone to any of these lol shame on me. Saving this list for this year. Lets see how many of these places I can check off. Thanks for sharing!
We have generally tended to include Tokyo at the start / beginning of an itinerary as the best flight deals we've found are into Tokyo, but then got out of the city for the rest. I know friends who've found it easier to use Tokyo as a base and do day trips from there, and this is a great and really varied selection for them!
Great to come across this post as I didn't even know about some of these beautiful places!