Tokyo is Japan's capital and one of the world's most dynamic megacities, where ancient temples and shrines coexist alongside gleaming skyscrapers and neon-lit streets. As the cultural, economic, and political heart of Japan, Tokyo offers an unmatched blend of tradition and state-of-the-art modernity across its diverse 23 special wards and surrounding cities.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Nikko
One of Japan's most ornate and spectacular sites — a UNESCO World Heritage complex of elaborately decorated Edo-period shrines and mausoleums set in forested mountains. Tosho-gu Shrine (mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu) is a baroque masterpiece of gilded carvings, lacquerwork, and colored decorations surrounded by 1,000-year-old cedar trees. The famous 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil' three monkeys carving is here.
Highlights: Tosho-gu Shrine — Tokugawa Ieyasu's extravagant mausoleum (UNESCO) · Rinno-ji Temple with giant gold Buddha statues · Futarasan Shrine · Shinkyo (Sacred Bridge) · Nikko National Park gorges and waterfalls
Kamakura
Japan's ancient capital from 1185-1333, Kamakura is a coastal city surrounded by forested hills and packed with important temples, shrines, and the iconic Great Buddha (Kotoku-in). The Daibutsu — a 13.35m bronze Buddha dating from 1252 — is one of Japan's most recognizable images.
Highlights: Kotoku-in Daibutsu (Great Buddha) · Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine · Hase-dera Temple with sea views · Engaku-ji and Kencho-ji Zen temples · Enoshima Island (30 min by Enoden railway) · Komachi-dori shopping street
Hakone
A spectacular mountainous resort town with bubbling volcanic activity, stunning views of Mount Fuji, and some of Japan's finest hot spring hotels (ryokan). The Hakone Open Air Museum is world-class, and the Hakone Ropeway over volcanic Owakudani is unforgettable.
Highlights: Mount Fuji views from Owakudani and Lake Ashi (weather-dependent) · Hakone Ropeway over volcanic Owakudani fumaroles · Hakone Open Air Museum (sculpture park) · Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) pirate boat cruise · Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone historical post road (Edo period) · Hakone Shrine in the forest
Yokohama
Japan's second-largest city and first major port, just 30 minutes from Tokyo by train. Yokohama has a cosmopolitan history as one of Japan's first international trading ports, reflected in its diverse neighborhoods. Japan's largest Chinatown, the harbor district (Minato Mirai), and the historic Motomachi foreign settlement are all highlights.
Highlights: Yokohama Chinatown (Japan's largest — excellent Cantonese and dim sum) · Minato Mirai 21 waterfront district · Yokohama Landmark Tower and observation deck · Sankeien Garden (traditional Japanese garden with historic buildings) · Cup Noodles Museum (interactive instant noodle museum) · Motomachi historic shopping street · Yamashita Park and harbor views
Kawaguchiko / Fuji Five Lakes
The Fuji Five Lakes area at the base of Mount Fuji offers the most accessible and dramatic views of Japan's iconic peak. Lake Kawaguchiko is the most popular base, with ryokan accommodations, climbing access, and the classic Fuji reflection in the lake.
Highlights: Lake Kawaguchiko (Fuji reflection in calm conditions) · Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park (iconic pagoda with Fuji view) · Fuji-Q Highland amusement park (famous roller coasters) · Oshino Hakkai (eight spring ponds fed by Fuji snowmelt) · Mount Fuji Climbing Season (July 1 - September 10) · Lake Saiko and Aokigahara forest
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
A major Buddhist temple complex in Narita City, founded in 940 AD. The approach street (Omotesando) from Narita Station is lined with restaurants, eel (unagi) shops, and traditional stores. Convenient to visit when using Narita Airport.
Highlights: Main Hall (Daihondo) with daily fire rituals · Three-story and five-story pagodas · Naritasan Park with ponds and traditional garden · Omotesando approach street with traditional shops · Unagi (freshwater eel) restaurants — Narita is famous for this dish
Enoshima Island
A small island connected to the mainland by a 600m bridge, offering a sea cave system, a lighthouse observation tower (Samuel Cocking Garden), fresh seafood, and beautiful views of Mount Fuji across Sagami Bay. The beaches attract Tokyo residents on summer weekends.
Highlights: Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden and Sea Candle lighthouse · Iwaya Caves (sea caves on the far side of the island) · Enoshima Shrine and its three goddesses · Shirasu (whitebait) rice bowls and fresh seafood · Views of Kamakura and (on clear days) Mount Fuji
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Near
Yokohama
Kamakura
Medium
Hakone
Nikko
Far
Kawaguchiko / Fuji Five Lakes
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Jr Trains
- JR Yokosuka Line and JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line serve Kamakura; JR Keihin-Tohoku Line serves Yokohama; JR Nikko Line connects via Utsunomiya shinkansen
- Odakyu Romancecar
- Limited express train from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (85 minutes), the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Hakone
- Tobu Railway
- Tobu Spacia Limited Express runs from Asakusa Station to Nikko in about 1 hour 50 minutes, the most convenient option for that trip
- Jr Pass Considerations
- The Japan Rail Pass does not cover private railways such as Tobu, Keio, Odakyu, or the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden), so day trips to Hakone, Nikko, Enoshima, and Fuji Five Lakes typically require separate tickets or line-specific passes
Multi-day tours from Tokyo
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from TokyoWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.