If you are currently planning a trip to Japan several airlines offer flights to Tokyo, direct from United Kingdom and from other international destinations. Book in advance for the best deals.
Tokyo is an essential city to add to your Japan itinerary but if you are also keen to escape the city and see some amazing places within short distance, check out our list of the top day trips.
Our featured Tokyo day trip ideas are perfect for solo travellers, groups and families, and most can be done in a few hours.
These day trips allow you to see more than just the concrete jungle of Tokyo, you will get to. see some beautiful countryside, culture, famous landmarks, and natural highlights like world famous hot springs.
And, even with the language barrier, getting around to see these places are quite easy on public transport or by booking organised tours of Japan. If you're planning on trying to see as much as possible we recommend buying a JR Pass, this will be a lot cheaper than buying individual single tickets for every trip.
Check out our list of amazing places to visit near Tokyo which includes some of the easiest places to get to.
1. Mt Fuji
Mt. Fuji is an active volcano and one of the most recognisable places in Japan. Located around 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo,
Mt. Fuji is the tallest peak in the country at over 3,776 meters. This is one of the most visited places to see in Japan and there are lots of scenic towns, hikes and outdoor activities here.
Getting there: From Tokyo you can take the Shinkansen or JR Tokaido line / from Shinjuku. When you arrive there are local trains, buses and taxis available to destinations in the Hakone region.
2. Hayama
Hayama is a really underrated place to visit in Japan located in Kanagawa Prefecture, on central Honshū.
The main draw to this town is the beach and ocean making this one of the best summer day trips from Tokyo.
Hayama is a really relaxing place to visit with fresh air and lots of outdoor activities. There are lots of water sports available in places like Isshiki Beach where you can go swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding and windsurfing
For sunset and impressive views, head to the Hayama Marina where there are lots of cafes, restaurants and places to relax with great views.
Getting there: Hayama is around an hour from Tokyo by train and bus.
3. Kamakura
Kamakura is a small coastal town with temples, shrines and historical monuments.
This town is often compared to Kyoto, and was once Japan's political capital during the Kamakura shogunate. Highlights of visiting Kamakura include seeing the Great Buddha of Kamakura, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine.
Getting there: Kamakura is fairly easy to reach from Tokyo, you can catch the JR Yokosuka or Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station. The journey takes less than 1 hour. There are also slower routes you can choose which are slightly cheaper but journey times are longer.
4. Hakuba
Hakuba is located in Nagano Prefecture and is famous for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, but is also a wonderful place to check out in the warmer months.
In summer, spring and autumn you can head to the top of Happo Mountain 2000-meter-long gondola then enjoy walks and the views from the top.
In winter, Hakuba is an adventure sports fans dream. There are lots of slopes perfect for skiing or snowboarding for all levels and abilities, whilst you could just walk around and take in the scenery.
You can also visit the Hakuba Happo Hot Springs which is famous for having akaline mineral composition water which locals believe has healing properties.
Getting there: Hakuba is located 2/3 hours west of Tokyo. There is a bullet train which departs from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. You can then take a bus from Nagano to Hakuba.
5. Hakone
Hakone is located in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, around a hour drive west of Tokyo.
Hakone is located not far from Tokyo and is a great day trip where you can see mountains, hot springs (onsens) and spectacular views of Mount Fuji.
In Hakone you can also visit the boiling sulphur springs of the Owakudani Valley or do a boat trip to visit the Hakone Shrine which overlooks Lake Ashi.
There is no best month to visit Hakone, during summer you can see the cherry blosson whilst in winter the town looks so scenic when it is covered in snow..
Getting there: 100 minutes from Tokyo Station
Other Places to Consider
If you have more time, these are some other places worth adding to your itinerary:
- Nikko
- Enoshima (70 minutes from Tokyo Station)
- Karuizawa
- Yokohama (25 minutes from Tokyo Station)
- Nagano
- Chichibu
- Chiba City (40 minutes from Tokyo Station)
- Isumi
- Kawasaki (17 minutes from Tokyo Station)
- Misaki Town and Jogashima Island (1 hour from Shinagawa Station)
- Kawaguchiko (2 houts from Shinjuku Station)
- Nokogiriyama (2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Atami (1 1/2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Kusatsu Onsen Town (2 hours from Tokyo)
- Todoroki Valley
- Mt Takao (1 hour from Shinjuku Station)
- Katsunuma (2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Kyoto (2/3 hours from Tokyo)
- Kinugawa Onsen
- Odawara
- Matsumoto (4 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Mt Nokogiri
- Kawagoe (1 hour from Tokyo Station)
- Nagatoro and the Arakawa River (2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Okutama (2 hours minutes from Shinjuku Station)
- Takasaki (2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Ibaraki's Ushiku Daibutsu (1 1/2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Odawara City (1 hour 25 minutes from Tokyo Station)
- Chichibu (2/3 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Mito (2 hours from Tokyo Station)
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- Disneyland (25 minutes from Tokyo Station)
Have you ever been on any recommended day trips from Tokyo? Is there anywhere we have missed off our list? Let us know in the comments section below. Also if you are planning your first trip you might like to view these tips for visiting Tokyo for the first time.
