Nestled on the island of Honshu, Tokyo is a beautiful city with many attractions. There is something for everyone, so your trip to this city won’t be in vain. Furthermore, this largest metropolitan city has the most hospitable and welcoming people you will ever meet. The citizens are friendly, polite, and helpful to tourists.
If you are searching for the best day trips from Tokyo, you have come to the right place. Spread over 2,194 km² and with numerous tourist spots, it might be challenging to visit all the attractions. So, here we provide you with the most recommended places to visit to help you make the best of your trip.
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Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo
- Distance: 100 km from Tokyo
- Address: Central Honshu, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Hiking, Sightseeing, Hot Spring Tours
You will miss a lot if you skip visiting the iconic Mt. Fuji during your Tokyo tour. Located on the Island of Honshu, the mountain is only 100 km from Tokyo and is suited for a day trip. Furthermore, squeezing into your Tokyo Itinerary will be a perfect activity.
Standing at 12,389 ft and 3 inches, Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. The best time to visit this beautiful active volcano is in the summer, from July to mid-September. With breathtaking panoramic views, it will be a perfect time for hiking with your family.
Other things to do in Mt. Fuji are sightseeing, climbing, soaking in hot springs, and exploring food options. Don’t forget to visit the iconic Fuji Five Lakes, comprising Yamanaka, Saiko, Kawaguchi, Shoji, and Motosu Lakes. These lakes offer many outdoor activities, such as fishing and camping.
Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo
- Distance: 81.2 km from Tokyo
- Address: Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Hot springs visits, Touring historical sites, Sightseeing
Hakone might be your destination for a short day trip from Tokyo. Located in Ashigarashimo District, this place is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Moreover, it provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo City. With Mt. Fuji as a backdrop, it has many scenic spots, hot springs, and shrines worth visiting.
The best thing to do in Hakone is hiking. Book a guided hiking tour or enjoy a self-guided nature walk along the Hachiri heritage path. In addition, you can camp around Lake Ashi at the base of Mt. Fuji. There are also many lakeside resort hotels.
If you want to view gorgeous views of Hakone, hop on the Hakone Ropeway. It is a 30-minute ride that offers passengers views of the Owakudani Valley, Lake Ashinoko, and Mt. Fuji. In addition, travelers can include trips to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone National Park, and Hakone Shrine.
Shinkansen Day Trips from Tokyo
If you are on a tight schedule and want to visit many places quickly, you should opt for day trips from Tokyo by bullet train. Shinkansens are super fast, and their speed of 320 km per hour will reduce your trip by half. However, these bullet trains are expensive and might cost from ¥800 to ¥8,000.
Shinkansen trains take travelers from Tokyo to all the major cities of Japan. If you must choose one, you can take a day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo by train. You can catch a train from Tokyo Station, which will take you to Otsuki Station within 90 minutes. In addition, take the Shinkansen with the JR Pass to save the supplement and reservation fees.
Hakone is another favorite tourist destination, and it is a popular tourist destination for trips from Tokyo by train for several days. You can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and get off at Odawara Station. Likewise, bullet trains also take visitors from Tokyo to Osaka, Yokohama, Kanazawa, and Kyoto. You can choose any place you like.
Kyoto Day Trip from Tokyo
- Distance: 449.5 km from Tokyo
- Address: Middle-Western Honshu, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Visiting Historic Sites, Religious Sites
Tokyo and Kyoto are opposites. Tokyo is the land of neon lights and skyscrapers, while Kyoto is more traditional, with shrines and kimono-clad geisha. Hence, a day trip to Kyoto will change the scenario for tourists. They can experience a spiritual and peaceful atmosphere.
The land of many classical Buddhist temples, the first thing to do in Kyoto is to visit Kinkaku Ji, aka Golden Pavilion. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built this Zen Buddhist temple in 1397 C.E. as a retirement villa. After his death, the Golden Pavillion was handed to Zen Buddhist monks.
Another famous Buddhist shrine is the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Southern Kyoto. It provides a gorgeous, picturesque background to snap photos. Furthermore, visitors can take a food tour and buy souvenirs at Nishiki Market. Don’t forget to visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto International Manga Museum, and Kyoto Handicraft Center.
For more information about Kyoto activities, head over here.
Nikko Day Trip from Tokyo
- Distance: 153.3 km from Tokyo
- Address: Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Enjoying Scenic Beauty, Hiking, Shrine Visits
If you plan a short trip to Tokyo, say a Four Days in Tokyo Itinerary, include a trip to Nikko Toshogu. This gorgeous five-story pagoda enshrines samurai leader Tokugawa Ieyasu and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, this shrine is easily accessible by Tokyo. You can take a train from Tokyo or Ueno Station or enjoy a plane ride from Narita International Airport.
Feeling adventurous? Go for hiking at Nikko National Park in Tohoku, Kanto. This park is known for its gorgeous waterfalls, marshlands, lakes, and shrines. Moreover, you can hike from any trail, including Mount Nasu Hiking Trail, Yahata Azalea and Nasu Nature Path, and Shiobara Valley Trail. Our thrill-seeking visitors can also enjoy bike tours, paddleboarding, and snowshoe expeditions.
Another activity perfect for a day trip is visiting Edo Wonderland. This theme park takes visitors back to the Edo Period, when samurai, princesses, ninjas, and courtesans lived. Wear costumes and stroll around the park for a more realistic experience. You can also watch a special 30-minute-long ninja show.
Osaka Day Trip from Tokyo
- Distance: 498.8 km from Tokyo
- Address: Honshu, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Enjoy Nightlife, Street Food Tour, Sightseeing
Nestled on the island of Honshu, Osaka is best known for its fun, food, and nightlife. From experiencing traditional tea ceremonies to indulging in local delicacies like Takoyaki, Doteyaki, Udon Suki, and Kushikatsu, this city is the best place for food tours.
Likewise, you must include visiting the iconic Osaka Castle in your travel plan. This Japanese historic landmark is 20 meters tall and 90 meters wide and is beautiful inside and out. Furthermore, the Nishinomaru Garden surrounding the castle looks breathtaking during the cherry blossom season. Many people go for picnics and flower viewing during the spring.
You can also visit Universal Studios Japan, Nara Park, Minami, Shitenno Ji Temple, and Shinsaibashi during the daytime. Also, don’t forget to catch a bird’s-eye view of Osaka City from the Umeda Sky Building. Finally, close your day by exploring bars, clubs, and nightlife activities in the Dotonbori district.
If you want to explore more things to do in Osaka, check out our blog.
Nagano Day Trip from Tokyo
- Distance: 226.9 km from Tokyo
- Address: Nagano Basin, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Historic tours, Cultural tours, Food tours
Nagano takes travelers back to the ancient Japanese period with its historic sites. This place is rich in cultural heritage and houses the legendary Zenkoji Temple. Built in the 7th century, this shrine’s original statue is only shown to the public every six years. Nonetheless, visitors can visit the inner chamber and underground passage.
You can also snap photos of Japanese Macaques at Jigokudani Monkey Park, aka Jigojudani Yaen-Koen. This is the only park where snow monkeys bathe in hot springs. In addition to wildlife photographers snapping pictures, researchers often come here for ecological observation.
Step back in time at Nagano Prefectural Art Museum. It exhibits the works of many Nagano Prefecture artists. Furthermore, you can learn about local ninjas and their tools at the Togakure Ninpo Museum. Also, don’t forget to drop by Kids Ninja Village, a ninja-themed fun park.
Day Trip to Kamakura from Tokyo
- Distance: 63.7 km from Tokyo
- Address: Kanagawa, Japan, Google Map
- Things To Do: Visiting Kotoku-in, beaches, and Enoshima Island
Next on our list of the best day trips from Tokyo is a tour of Kamakura, a seaside Japanese city. It is only 63.7 km from Tokyo, making it an hour-long trip by train. You can travel by JR Shonan Shinjuku Line and JR Yokosuka Line for ¥950. In addition, you can save money by using the Odakyu Railway for a round trip costing ¥1,640.
The first thing to do in Kamakura is visit the gigantic Kotoku-in. As you can see in the picture, the Great Buddha statue is enormous, with a height of 11.4 meters. Moreover, Kamakura Daibutsu was initially built in 1252 inside a temple hall. But after the building was demolished, it was moved to the open air.
Continue your spiritual journey to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, which is dedicated to Hachiman. This shrine is crowded during New Year holidays and hosts many events yearly. Next, visit Kamakura, one of the five great Zen temples, Engaku-ji. You can enjoy an informative cultural tour of this shrine.
Onsen Day Trip from Tokyo
- Onsen Towns Near Tokyo: Shuzenji Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, Hakone, Atami, Kinugawa
- Onsen Benefits: Removes Impurities, Burn Calories, Improves Blood Circulation
- Onsen Price Range: ¥200 – ¥2,000
Take a break from exploring Tokyo’s neighborhoods and experience a therapeutic soaking in hot springs. These onsens help relax the body, soothe tense muscles, and clear impurities and dirt. It also helps lessen joint and muscle pain and burn calories.
Several onsen towns near Tokyo include Kusatsu Onsen, Ikaho Onsen, Manza Onsen, Shima Onsen, Hakone Onsen, and Kinugawa Onsen. If you don’t mind going the extra mile, visit Sapporo’s Hoheikyo Onsen. It allows visitors to relax in 100% free-flowing hot spring water.
Visitors should be aware of onsen etiquette and what to do and not do. For starters, everyone must take a shower before entering the hot spring. They should also drink a lot of water before and after the onsen. In addition, visitors can’t splash water and should be mindful of their surroundings.
Our list of best day trips from Tokyo recommends places that are easily accessible from Tokyo. You can reach any of these places via bus, flight, train, or bullet train. Each city offers a new experience and a different scenario; hence, you will never be bored throughout your journey.
You could spend months exploring Tokyo but won’t finish traveling to all the places. Still, it’s better to take one step at a time and leisurely enjoy everything this city offers. Hopefully, our recommended day trips will allow you to learn and understand about Japan’s history, culture, food, and etiquette.
