Day Trips From Tokyo

Many travelers visiting Japan will fly into Tokyo and spend a few days here before heading off to their next destination. For those with limited time in Japan that can’t afford to go far or just have a few extra days to spare, here are four places you can visit if you’re looking for day trips from Tokyo.

1) Kamakura: A small city about an hour by train from Tokyo famous for its temples, beach, and giant Buddha. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station.

2) Hakone: A mountainous area west of Tokyo, 1-2 hours away by train, famous for its hot springs, scenic views, relaxed atmosphere, and giant shrine. Take the Odakyu Odawara Line from Shinjuku station. This is my recommendation for those that are looking for something cultural and want to relax without the large crowds.

3) Yokohama: A port city about 30 minutes from Tokyo. Check out Chinatown, the Ramen Museum, or take a lift to see a view of the city from the 69th floor of the landmark tower. This is the easiest city to reach from Tokyo as it’s accessible from the JR Line. Yokohama isn’t too different from Tokyo, but still worth the journey.

4) Hitsujiyama Park (late April-May): An amazingly scenic park located in Saitama. Take the train from Ikebukuro station for about an hour and a half to Seibu-Chichibu, from there, it’s about a 20 minute walk to the park. I highly recommend this for nature lovers.

There are additional day trips from Tokyo, but these four are probably your best options. While Tokyo is a wonderful city, you might get worn out from the fast paced lifestyle quick. Mix it up and visit one of these four places for the day, you won’t regret it!