In a nutshell
- When the hustle of the megacity gets to be too much, there are some seriously great day trip destinations around Tokyo — many are only one to two hours away.
- Kamakura gives you a relaxed beach vibe, Nikkō delivers magnificent temples, and Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone both offer incredible views of Mount Fuji.
- All four destinations are super well connected to Tokyo by train. We’ll walk you through exactly how to get there — whether you’re using the Suica Card, the Japan Rail Pass, or a guided tour.
Day Trip from Tokyo to Kamakura
Travel time: about 1 hour
If you ever feel like escaping the glittering neon jungle of Tokyo, Kamakura on the coast is your place to be. You’ll be there in no time and can stroll through narrow alleyways or wander through stunning bamboo groves.
Speaking of bamboo groves — we have a serious insider tip for you: the Hokokuji Bamboo Forest. It was the most beautiful bamboo grove we saw during our entire trip to Japan. It’s a little off the beaten path and radiates an absolute sense of calm. If you don’t feel like walking, grab a taxi.
Beyond that, Kamakura offers a laid-back surfer vibe, ancient temple complexes, and a giant bronze Buddha. Honestly, it’s one of the most satisfying day trips from Tokyo you can do.
On the way to or from Kamakura, a stopover in Yokohama is totally worth your time.
Highlights on your day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura
- Great Buddha
- Hokokuji Bamboo Forest
- Hokokuji Temple
- Hase-dera Temple
- Tsurugoaka Hachimangu
How to get there: Take the Yokosuka Line and/or the Shonan Shinjuku Line. You can pay for the ride with the Suica Card. Alternatively, it’s included in the Japan Rail Pass. You can easily find the route on Google Maps. If you’d like a local expert to show you around, a guided day tour from Tokyo to Kamakura is a great choice.
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Day Trip from Tokyo to Nikkō
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Nikkō sits in the mountains north of Tokyo, and if we had to describe it in two words, they’d be ornate and idyllic.
The standout highlight in Nikkō is the Toshogu Shrine. It stands in a dense cedar forest and absolutely gleams with gold leaf decorations. This is also where you’ll find the three famous monkeys covering their mouths, eyes, and ears.
If you have time left after sightseeing, make sure to head up to Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Falls. The detour is especially breathtaking in autumn, when the maple leaves glow in the most beautiful shades of red. But no matter what time of year you visit Japan, a hike in this area is a seriously great way to unwind.
Highlights on your day trip from Tokyo to Nikkō
- Tosho-gu Shrine with the three monkeys
- Lake Chuzenji
- Kegon Falls
- Many hot springs
How to get there: The Tobu Railway Express takes you directly from Tokyo to Nikkō. You can pay for the ride with the Suica Card; it’s not included in the Japan Rail Pass. Alternatively, you can book a guided day trip from Tokyo to Nikkō.
Day Trip to Lake Kawaguchi at Mount Fuji
Travel time: 2.5 hours
If your goal is the most spectacular view of Mount Fuji possible, Lake Kawaguchi is your go-to destination. On calm days, the volcano reflects perfectly in the water — it’s the postcard shot you came to Japan for.
We recommend a short walk along the north shore. Take the bus from Kawaguchiko Station and get off at the Ubuya-mae stop. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning panorama of Mount Fuji and can stroll comfortably along the lake from there. When we did it, we encountered only a handful of other tourists — a real bonus.
If you have extra time, a boat ride or a side trip to Oishi Park is absolutely worth it. Depending on the season, you’ll walk through lavender fields or red kochia bushes.
Highlights on the day trip from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi
- View of Mount Fuji
- Boat ride on the lake
- Walk along Lake Kawaguchi
- Oishi Park
How to get there: The Fujikyūkō Line runs to Kawaguchiko Station. The ride isn’t included in the JR Pass — just pay with your Suica Card. There are also great tours from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi with a boat ride.
Day Trip from Tokyo to Hakone
Travel time: 1.75 hours
Hakone is like one giant adventure playground in nature. A day trip from Tokyo to Hakone isn’t just about the small town itself — it’s really about the valleys, lakes, and sulfur springs surrounding it.
The best way to explore the area is on the Hakone Loop. This circular route takes you past all of Hakone’s highlights using a variety of transport. You ride a funicular steeply up the mountain, glide on a ropeway over the steaming sulfur valley of Owakudani, and cruise by boat across Lake Ashi. For the Hakone Loop, we recommend getting the Hakone Free Pass, which covers all modes of transportation.
In theory, you can fit all of this into a single day trip from Tokyo. But it’s even better if you spend a night at a hotel with an onsen (hot sulfur springs). Hakone is one of Japan’s most famous resort towns and the perfect place to truly relax after the Loop.
Our hotel pick: Merveille Hakone Gora
Highlights on the Hakone Loop
- Train ride through a green valley
- Funicular ride up to Sōunzan
- Ropeway ride over the Owakudani valley with views of Mount Fuji
- Boat ride on a pirate ship across Lake Ashi
- Hike to Hakone Shrine
- Bus ride back to the starting point
How to get there: You can get to Hakone on the Odakyu Line. The train ride is already included in the Hakone Free Pass. If you book a guided day trip from Tokyo to Hakone, the ticket for the Hakone Loop is included as well.
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