13 Amazing Day Trips from Tokyo by Train (2026)

Last Updated on January 9, 2026 by Audrey

Wondering what the best day trips from Tokyo by train are? I got you.

Trying to get away from Tokyo for a day? Hey, I don’t blame you. Tokyo is super fun to explore, but sometimes the city can just be sooooo freaking crowded, it’s almost overwhelming sometimes. After a few days of the crazy city life, it can be nice to hop on a train and go somewhere new for a breath of fresh air. 

Now the question is, where should you go? I’ve made quite a few different day trips from Tokyo, and I can give you my personal favorites that I think you’ll love! All the cities I’ve listed, I’ve either been to personally or have done extensive research for my own trips, so you have every option to help make the best decision.

Goodbye, congestion! Hello, onsen towns! Chinatown! Giant Buddha! Fuji-san?! Let’s break down the best day trips from Tokyo by train!

Relaxing Escapes

Here are the day trips best for a chill day. Think beach strolls in coastal towns and relaxing onsens!

Atami

• ⭐ Best for: Firework Festival, onsens, ocean views
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 45 minutes
• 🚅 JR Pass: ✅
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: February-November

Starting off with one of my absolute favorite towns in Japan, Atami! I don’t know why, but I just have a special spot for mid-sized, coastal cities. I visited Atami in March and freaking loved it.

Now, Atami (熱海市) is already a beautiful beach town, so you can expect delicious seafood. One of our favorite snacks, these crispy baby crabs with salty-sweet seasoning are from here. 

However, the standout feature from this town, more than Atami Castle or the Geisha performances, more than the cool shops in Ginza Shopping District (yes, MORE than shopping) is the Atami Fireworks Festival on Sun Beach!

When we visited to watch the fireworks, it took our breath away. The show is absolutely incredible, and they use different fireworks than we do in the States. My favorite part is the robot announcer who declared: “Final Stage”! Fireworks start in February and continue every week or two until November, so make sure to check the calendar dates.

You can come here during the day, and when night comes, grab a snack and head over to the beach for a stunning show. Afterwards, you can hop on the Shinkansen and be back in Tokyo in 30-40 minutes. If you’re doing a full day trip, you can click here to see the top things to do in Atami or check out my 1 day Atami itinerary.

💡 Pro tip: Restaurants in the Ginza Shopping District area next to the beach are super crowded, so I highly recommend making dinner reservations so you won’t miss the fireworks at 20:15.

How to get to Atami from Tokyo

You can hop on the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station to Atami Station easily! The journey will take around 30-45 minutes, depending on which train you take, so it’s very quick. This is fully covered by the JR Pass.

Atami Tours

🎆 Enoshima, Kamakura, and Atami Fireworks Festival 🎆

This half-day tour takes you to Kamakura, where you can see famous locations from the Slam Dunk anime, then sample local delicacies at Enoshima Island, and then end the day at Atami Sun Beach for the amazing Fireworks Festival.

There’s even a cruise option so you can see the fireworks sparkle from the water and be in the best position to take amazing photos! Transportation takes you to and from Tokyo.

✨ Mount Omuro, Atami Shopping, and Fireworks 🛍️

Departing from Tokyo, this tour will take you to the famous landmark Mount Omuro, where you can take a cable car up to the top. Then you’ll get free time to wander around Atami and explore the shopping district before viewing the fireworks show! 

Hakone

• ⭐ Best for: Onsen, Mt. Fuji views, art museums
• 🚆  Distance from Tokyo: 1.5 hours from Shinjuku
• 🚅 JR Pass: ❌
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: All year

Hakone (箱根) is a very popular day trip option from Tokyo, and it's worth the 2 hour trek. There are lots of museums to check out, there are great day trip onsen facilities, and you may get a chance to see Mount Fuji if the weather is right!

The POLA Museum and the Open Air Museum are both fantastic. I visited the Open Air museum because POLA seemed to have more European-focused art, but if you love Monet, then POLA might be your vibe.

The Open Air Museum was really fun and refreshing since it was mostly outdoors, and they have an extensive Picasso exhibit (not my style, but very interesting nonetheless).

There’s also Hakone Shrine in Lake Ashi for that perfect photo in the water, the Hakone Amazake Tea House that’s been operating for over 400 years, serving travelers who would make the arduous trek across an ancient highway.

Lastly, there are tons of onsen facilities that accept day trips, and they’re private as well! We went to Hakone Yuryo and loved the private onsen. It was spacious and peaceful, and their connected restaurant had incredible sukiyaki.

For more details on what we did in Hakone, click here for my Hakone itinerary.

💡 Pro tip: Personally I wouldn’t count on seeing Mount Fuji from Hakone. If that’s your main reason for going, I would head to Lake Kawaguchiko instead. Luckily, there are many tours that include both. 

How to get to Hakone from Tokyo

There are a couple of ways to get to Hakone from Tokyo by train, and both depart from Shinjuku. You can either take the JR Tokaido line or the Odakyu Line (Romance Train).

Romance Train

The Romance Train is much more preferred because the train goes directly to Hakone Yumoto Station from Shinjuku Station. The train has viewing seats in the front and back of the train so you can see Japan’s natural beauty during the ride.

💡 Pro tip: If you plan on taking the Romance Train, make sure to book ahead as the best seats get taken very quickly. 

JR Tokaido Line

If you have the JR Pass, you’ll probably end up taking the JR Line.

Take the Tokaido Line from Yokohama or Tokyo to Odawara Station. From there, you’ll change trains and it will be another 15 minutes to Hakone Yumoto Station. The route should be around an hour. 

💡 Pro tip: Alternatively, if you want to go to Lake Ashi, you should change trains at Yugawara instead and get off at MotoHakone Port. This route takes a little under 2.5 hours.

Hakone Activities

⛩️ Mt. Fuji and Hakone "Land, Sea, and Air" Exploration Tour from Tokyo 🚢

Visit Hakone Shrine, ride the pirate ship over Lake Ashi, and try the Owakudani black eggs said to add seven years of life, all on this full-day tour! 

🛍️ Mt. Fuji & Hakone One Day Trip from Tokyo with Lunch 🥚

This tour takes you to the top attractions around Mount Fuji and Hakone, including the Gotemba Premium Outlets, the Owakudani Volcanic Valley, and Ashinoko Lake. Shop the incredible outlet deals, try the black hot spring eggs, and get that perfect picture of Hakone Shrine.

Ito

• ⭐ Best for: Retro onsen town, coastal walks 
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 🚅 JR Pass: Partially
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: All year

If you continue heading south for 1 hour from Atami, you’ll reach Ito (伊東市), another cute coastal town in the Izu Peninsula. While Atami is more lively due to its fireworks festival, Ito is a quiet and quaint onsen town.

Notable things to do in Ito include taking the cable car up Mount Omuro, a cinder cone volcano that looks the opposite of menacing with its cute round shape, and Izu Shaboten Zoo, where you can feed and pet capybaras up close!

Mount Omuro and the Zoo are right next to each other, so you could combine those two for a full day trip. Sakura no Sato park is just a few minutes' walk away as well, where you can enjoy beautiful blooms during cherry blossom season. 

You’ll see a stunning cliffside view at Jogasaki Coast if you somehow manage to head further south, but that probably isn’t possible without a car rental or tour bus. I actually recommend renting a car to visit Ito, since there are more landmarks spaced out around the city, like Komuroyama Park and the Izu Teddy Bear Museum.

How to get to Ito from Tokyo

There actually are direct train lines from Tokyo to Ito! Hop on the luxury train Saphir Odoriko from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station and ride for 1.5 hours to Ito.

The Saphir Odoriko is a very bougie train with premium seating that comes with full rotation, so you can see the absolute beauty of the Izu Peninsula. 

If you have the JR Pass, you should be able to get most of the trip covered, though there are additional fees as some of the route is covered by a private railway instead of JR.

Ito Tours

⛰️ Mount Omuro and Jogasaki Coast Tour 🌊

Travel all over the Izu Peninsula in this tour departing from Tokyo! You’ll visit Atami Sun Beach, take the cable car to the top of Mount Omuro, and visit the magnificent Jogasaki Coast, famous for its volcanic lava cliffs and suspension bridges.

City Fun and Theme Parks

Yokohama

• ⭐ Best for: Chinatown, Cup Noodle Museum, bay views
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: ~30 minutes from Tokyo Station
• 🚅 JR Pass: ✅
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: All year

I lovedddd visiting Yokohama, and it's the best one day trip near Tokyo. It’s actually the second largest city in Japan, after Tokyo, so you might assume that it’s the same as visiting Tokyo. Not so!! 

Yokohama (横浜) is like a breath of fresh air. There are views of the water, it’s less condensed, and the Cup Ramen Museum and Cosmo World are really fun. It’s very different, and I recommend it if this is a subsequent trip to Tokyo and you have a day to spare. If it’s your first time visiting Tokyo or Japan, then I don’t know if I would visit Yokohama when you could spend an extra day in Tokyo or go to Nara or Uji instead.

However, if you have ample time, then definitely visit Yokohama. There’s lots of shopping at the Red Brick Warehouse, and Chinatown has incredibly delicious Chinese food!

I know, I know, why would you want Chinese food in Japan? Okay, but what if it's amazingly delectable and authentic Chinese food?! My boyfriend is Cantonese and we just came back from China, so I’m serious! The soup-filled dumplings are top tier.

How to get to Yokohama from Tokyo

It’s incredibly easy and fast to get to Yokohama from Tokyo! You can depart from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, or Shibuya Station.

Take the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokaido Line, or Yokosuka Line to Yokohama Station or Shin-Yokohama Station. It should take 30-45 minutes.

Alternatively, you could take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and get to Shin Yokohama Station in just 17 minutes. The JR Pass covers all these routes!

💡 Pro tip: I recommend taking the Air Cabin from Shin-Yokohama to the Cup Ramen Museum! It’s a fun aerial trip, and you can buy a combo ticket to ride the Cosmo World Ferris Wheel for just 1,700 JPY. To do this, stay on board past Yokohama Station and get off at Sakuragicho Station instead.

Yokohama Tours

🏀 Kamakura, Yokohama, and Enoshima Full Day Tour 🥡

This highly booked tour helps you explore Japan in totality. You’ll get to see Kamakura High School, where Slam Dunk was based off of, visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, and wander around Yokohama! 

You’ll have ample time to visit the best of Yokohama, such as Yamashita Park, Chinatown, the Red Brick Warehouse, or Cosmo World.

Tokyo Disney Resort (Disneyland & DisneySea)

• ⭐ Best for: Theme park, unique Disney experiences
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 15–30 minutes from Tokyo Station
• 🚅 JR Pass: ✅
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall on weekdays (for good weather + fewer crowds)

Tokyo’s Disney Resort is an immensely popular day trip option, since it’s only 15 minutes from central Tokyo.

You’ll have the choice between two parks: Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド), which is the classic Disney resort, or DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー), which features Japan-exclusive characters like Duffy and Friends that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Either way, you’re in for a ton of fun with amazing rides, incredible storytelling, and delicious snacks that feature Japanese-exclusive flavors like soy sauce butter popcorn! There’s also special merch that is only available here with Duffy, Stella Lou, and more.

Lastly, there’s an amazing nighttime parade and projection show where the castle and volcano are lit up with crazy animations and fireworks. It’s classic Disney, but elevated with special touches!

How to get to Tokyo Disney from Tokyo

It’s incredibly easy to get to Tokyo Disney.

From almost any of the main stations in Tokyo, like Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Akihabara, take the JR Keiyo Line or JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station. 

The park entrance is just a 5-minute walk from the station. Fully covered by the JR Pass!

There are also shuttle buses from the areas that don’t go to Disney, like Shinjuku, Ueno and Asakusa.

👪 Have a big group? Take a private transfer directly to Disney!

Cultural Landmarks

If you'd like to see iconic landmarks like the Great Buddha or the luxurious Toshogu Shrine, these day trip options will suit your style.

Nikko

• ⭐ Best for: Temples, shrines, fall foliage
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 2 hours from Asakusa (Tobu Line)
• 🚅 JR Pass: Partially
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: October-November

Nikko (日光市) is fantastic if you want to get out of the city and breathe in some fresh mountain air. It’s only about an hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, but feels like a totally different world with its lush forests, dramatic waterfalls, beautiful shrines, and relaxing onsen.

It’s home to the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the most elaborate shrine in Japan. It’s the resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is adorned with intricate gold carvings and incredible architecture.

Nikko also sits at the edge of a national park, where you’ll find Kegon Falls, which is one of Japan’s top three waterfalls. There’s an abundance of nature, and you might even get to meet the wild monkeys roaming around Nikko National Park.

The area also has eight different onsen, all with their own special water qualities. Since you'll be doing a 1 day trip from Tokyo, you probably won’t get to stay the night, but you can still enjoy one of the onsen with a day pass!

How to get to Nikko from Tokyo

You can get to Nikko from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, or Asakusa Station using the limited express trains or Shinkansen. There are also highway buses that go to certain areas, such as Nasu Onsen.

Depending on your destination, where you depart from, and what route you take, the trip could take an hour and 15 minutes to up to 3 hours.

I recommend taking the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and transferring at Utsunomiya Station for the JR Nikko Line, which would take 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Nikko, or riding to Kitasenju Station then getting on the Tobi Railway Express train to Shikoku Imaichi Station, which is around 2 hours. 

Nikko Tours

⛩️ Nikko Toshogu Shrine & Kegon Waterfall One-Day Tour ⛩️

If you want to visit Nikko without the headache of renting a car, this full-day tour takes you to all the beautiful landscapes I mentioned, with transportation from Tokyo!

🚐 Nikko Sightseeing 10 Hours Private Chartered Car Tour from Tokyo 🚐

This Nikko sightseeing tour takes you around in a private car, so it’s perfect for a large group or family. You’ll have a lot more freedom to visit wherever you want versus a traditional tour bus. 

🎎 Edo Wonderland Ticket 👹

Visit Edo Wonderland, a cultural park that brings the Edo period to life. Visitors transform into Edo residents, and you can choose to be a ninja, samurai, princess, or stay as a time traveler. Learn how to make rice crackers, partake in traditional ceremonies, and try tons of different snacks from that timeline!

Kamakura & Enoshima

• ⭐ Best for: Giant Buddha, caves, beachtown vibes
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 1 hour 
• 🚅 JR Pass: Partially
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: Spring and early summer

Kamakura and Enoshima together are a fantastic full-day trip from Tokyo, especially if you love shrines and coastal views.

You can start off in Kamakura (鎌倉) with a visit to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the most important Shinto shrine in the city, then view the Great Buddha, one of Japan’s most famous statues.

Enoshima (江の島) is a short train stop west of Kamakura, and though it seems like a quaint island at first glance, there are a lot of things to see and do. You can visit Enoshima Shrine, which is really a collection of several shrines together.

There are also beaches, an aquarium, and the Iwaya Caves, where you can learn about the legendary fire-headed dragon that used to terrorize the area before being defeated by Benten (who Enoshima Shrine is dedicated to)!

Overall, it’s a fun area with lots to do, with both cultural highlights and lush island beauty. And if you’re a Legend of Zelda fan, you’ll be in for a surprise when you see the island crest!

How to get to Kamakura from Tokyo

There are two direct lines that connect directly from Tokyo to Kamakura.

JR Yokosuka Line

You can take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station directly to Kamakura Station. It’ll take around an hour and is a straight shot there.

JR Shonan Shinjuku Line

Another option if you’re near Shinjuku is to take the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station. If the train is bound for Zushi, you’ll go directly to Kamakura. Otherwise, you may have to transfer trains at Ofuna Station.

Kamakura to Enoshima

Assuming you made a stop to see the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), you can take the Enoden Train from Hase to Enoshima and get there in under 20 minutes.

Kamakura Tours

🏖️ Enoshima, Kamakura, and Atami Fireworks Festival 🎆

This half-day tour takes you to Kamakura, where you can visit iconic spots from the Slam Dunk anime, then head over to Enoshima Island to sample some local treats, and finish the day at Atami Sun Beach for the amazing Fireworks Festival.

There’s even a cruise option so you can watch the fireworks sparkle from the water and get in the perfect position for the most incredible photos. Transportation is included to and from Tokyo.

⛩️ Kamakura Kotoku-in Temple & Enoshima One Day Tour from Tokyo 🏄

Explore the complete highlights of Kamakura and Enoshima in this full day tour. You’ll get to visit the Great Buddha in Kotoku-in Temple, watch the surfers at Shonan Coast, visit the famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and much more.

Kawagoe

• ⭐ Best for: Edo-period aesthetic, candy shops
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 45 minutes
• 🚅 JR Pass: ✅
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: All year

Kawagoe (川越市) is famously known as “Little Edo”, and is a charming town with traditional buildings reminiscent of the historic Edo Period since the 1600s.

The Warehouse District on Kurazukuri Street is lined with merchant storehouses to peruse, with the Toki no Kane, or “Bell of Time” tower overlooking the area. This centuries-old bell tower rings four times daily, and is truly a sight to take in.

There’s also Candy Street, a street completely filled with Japanese candy shops. Kids would especially love wandering this area and trying traditional Japanese sweets! 

Lastly, there are several wonderful temples and shrines here, such as Kitain Temple, which holds over 500 unique stone statues of Buddha. Since no two statues are completely alike, it’s said that there is a statue that resembles every single person who visits the temple! 

I personally think that Kawagoe is best saved for someone who has visited the main day trip options already, since the attractions here are unique, but on the smaller side. 

💡 Pro tip: It’s best to visit Kawagoe on a weekday, as the Main Street gets extremely crowded on weekends.

How to get to Kawagoe from Tokyo

To get to Kawagoe, first get to Ikebukuro either by taking the JR Yamanote Line or the Marunouchi Line.

Then, you can take either the Kawagoe Limited Express train or a local train to Kawagoe Station or Kawagoe-shi Station, which is closer to the Main Street. 

Overall, the journey there should take around an hour, so it isn’t too bad.

Kawagoe Tours

🗻 Mount Fuji views, Oishi Park, Oshino Hakkai, and Koedo Kawagoe 🌸

This full day tour takes you to the most idyllic spots to see Mount Fuji: the sea of flowers at Oishi Park and the eight lakes of Oshino Hakkai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, you’ll visit “Little Edo” Korda Kawagoe, where the streets and life of the Edo Period have been completely preserved.

Odawara

• ⭐ Best for: Samurai history, Odawara Castle, gateway to Hakone
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 40 minutes
• 🚅 JR Pass: ✅
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: March-April

Odawara (小田原市) is a super quick day trip from Tokyo, and is sort of a halfway point between Tokyo and Hakone and the Izu Peninsula. 

It is known for Odawara Castle, the closest feudal castle to Tokyo, and was once the land of ninja clans, samurai, and geisha tea houses. When you stop by to visit the Castle, you can also visit the adjacent Ninja Museum and become a ninja defending against Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army.

Adjacent to the Castle lies Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine, a small, charming shrine dedicated to Sontoku, who was born in the city and made a tremendous effort to revitalize the villages everywhere.

There’s also the lovely Odawara Flower Garden, with beautiful seasonal flowers like plum and cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and more. The beaches along the city are very clean and perfect for a relaxing stroll along the water.

Odawara would be a good half-day trip, or if you plan on going to Atami/Izu Peninsula or Hakone, you could tack it on to your itinerary if you have some free time.

How to get to Odawara from Tokyo

It’s very easy to get to Odawara via the Shinkansen. From Tokyo Station, take the Hikari or Kodama bullet train to Odawara Station. It should be just around 30 minutes!

Odawara Tours

🏯 Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour 🏯

This three-hour activity will take you all around Odawara Castle, where the stories of samurai and ninja will come to life through the voice of your knowledgeable guide.

Scenic Nature Escapes 

Want to take a true break from the city and get a breath of fresh air? Let's check out Kawaguchiko, Mount Takao, Chichibu, and Nagano!

Kawaguchiko

• ⭐ Best for: Mt. Fuji views, nature, lake strolls
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 2–2.5 hours
• 🚅 JR Pass: ❌
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May), Autumn (October-November)

One of my biggest bucket list items was to see Mount Fuji, and that wish finally came true when I visited Kawaguchiko. Fuji-San really is quite majestic, and if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse the best view is around here!

The area around Mount Fuji is dotted with five beautiful lakes, including Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖). There are a ton of things to do around here that you really need a full day to explore this area.

You can visit the iconic Chureito Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park, and Oshino Hakkai, a collection of eight crystal-clear ponds nearby formed by Mount Fuji’s ancient eruptions. There’s also Oishi Park, with beautiful seasonal flowers, and Gotemba Premium Outlets that have some insane shopping deals. And the best part is that you’re greeted with incredible views of Mount Fuji all around these sites.

💡 Pro tip: You need to try the muscat grape ice cream at Oishi Park, it tastes like grape heaven. 

I loved visiting Kawaguchiko and think it’s completely worth a day trip. To be honest, it will be pretty hard to get there and around the area without a car, so I’d recommend booking a tour for easier transportation.

How to get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo

Getting to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo is a little long and tedious, and takes about 2.5-3 hours. The only way to get to Kawaguchiko Station via train is by the Fujikyu Railway Line. 

JR Chuo Line

You can take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station, then transfer to the Fujikyu Line and go to Kawaguchiko Station. In total, it’ll take around 2.5 hours.

JR Pass

If you have the JR Pass, you can take the Fuji Excursion Limited Express train that runs directly from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko. There are two round trips a day, so it’s a bit more limiting.

Lake Kawaguchiko Tours

🗻Mt. Fuji Car Rental with Driver to Mt. Fuji/ Hakone/ Kamakura/ Karuizawa 🚐

This private tour includes a driver that will take you anywhere you want to go! You can see Chureito Pagoda, stroll around Lake Kawaguchi, and even go to Oishi Lake at your own timeline. You don't have to abide by a tour groups schedule, and can spend as much time as you like in each destination.

🌻 Mt. Fuji Day Tour: Flower Sightseeing & Outlet Shopping 🛍️

This Mount Fuji tour will take you to Oishi Park to see the beautiful flowers in bloom, as well as the Gotemba Premium Outlets for some awesome shopping deals at great brands like BEAMS, Onitsuka Tiger, and more, without the hassle of having to rent a car or struggle with the limited public transportation.

Mount Takao

• ⭐ Best for: Easy hikes, nature lovers, fall foliage
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 1 hour
• 🚅 JR Pass: Partially
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: Autumn, spring

Mount Takao (高尾山) is the most popular climbing spot in the Kanto region, and many visitors come to hike and view one of Tokyo’s best viewpoints.

If you enjoy physical activity and being in nature, this would be a great half-day trip excursion. Not only are the views of Tokyo beautiful, but Mount Takao is also considered a sacred mountain and has been a place of worship for over 1,000 years. 

During your trek, you can visit Takaosan Yakuoin Yukiji, also known as “Yakuo-in”. This Buddhist temple was created in 744, and is known for its connection to Shungendo, mountain asceticism! There are also two waterfalls on Mount Takao where people practice waterfall asceticism. It’s truly a spiritual place to be.

How to get to Mount Takao from Tokyo

There are two ways to get to Mount Takao.

Keio Liner Express

The best way to get to Mount Takao is to take the Keio Liner Express Train from Shinjuku Station to Takaosanguchi Station. It should take around 45 minutes. This express train operates 3 times a day, so make sure to check the times.

Chuo Line

You could also take the Chuo Line to Takao Station, then transfer to the Keio Line and ride to Takaosanguchi Station. 

Mount Takao Tours

🏞️ Full Day Hiking Tour at Mt. Takao ♨️

This full-day hiking tour from western Tokyo takes you all the way to the summit, where you may be able to see Mount Fuji on a clear day. You’ll get to visit the temple and also take a dip in an onsen before heading back to the city!

Chichibu

• ⭐ Best for: pink moss blooms, winter festival, outdoor activities
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 1.5–2 hours
• 🚅 JR Pass: ❌
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: All Year

Chichibu (秩父市) is a local favorite due to its natural beauty and outdoor activities. The Arakawa River has plenty of fun excursions like hiking, cycling, and rafting.

Autumn turns the Nakatsu Valley into a vivid landscape of red and yellow, and is regarded as one of Japan’s top 100 spots for autumn viewing. During the spring, you can see one of the largest fields of pink moss, or shibazakura, bloom at Hitsujiyama Park. It’s utterly beautiful and unique!

Chichibu is also well known for its Chichibu Yomatsuri, a night festival held in early December where giant floats and parades light up the town, ending with an amazing 2.5-hour firework display!

How to get to Chichibu from Tokyo

There are a couple of options to get to Chichibu.

Seibu Railway

For the quickest way, you can take the direct limited express train from Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo to Seibu Chichibu Station. The journey will take 1.5 hours, and costs 1,700 yen with mandatory seat reservations. 

JR Pass

With the pass, you could take a JR train or Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kumagaya and then transfer to the Chichibu Railway until Chichibu. Keep in mind though that this could take 2-3 hours, and the Chichibu Railway section of the ride won’t be covered by the pass.

Chichibu Tours

🚣 Chichibu Private Day Tour 🚐

Roam all over Chichibu with a private driver departing from Tokyo! You can soar on the odorant Ropeway, visit Mitsumine Shrine, and even go bungee jumping or rafting if you’re feeling adventurous.

Nagano

• ⭐ Best for: Outdoor lovers, snow monkeys, mountain landscapes
• 🚆 Distance from Tokyo: 1.5 hours
• 🚅 JR Pass: ✅
• 🌸 Best Time to Visit: Winter 

Want to see some snow monkeys? Then Nagano (長野市) is the perfect fit for you! Famous for the incredible view of the Japan Alps, world-class ski resorts, and hot spring snow monkeys, Nagano is one of the best day trips from Tokyo during the wintertime.

While many people may first be interested in the onsen bathing snow monkeys near Yudanaka Onsen, there’s also Tsumago and Narai, two samurai-era villages that make you feel as if you went back in time.

If you travel a bit farther, Matsumoto Castle is less than an hour away, one of Japan’s most beautiful castles from the 16th century.

How to get to Nagano from Tokyo

You can take the bullet train directly from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station and arrive in under 1.5 hours, so it’s definitely one of the easier day trips to get to.

Nagano Tours

🐒 Nagano Snow Monkey 1 Day Tour with Beef Sukiyaki Lunch from Tokyo 🙈

This highly reviewed tour takes you on a full-day excursion to Nagano's Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you'll meet Japanese snow monkeys bathing in the onsen. The tour includes a traditional Japanese lunch featuring your choice of shabu-shabu or sukiyaki! Wear your sneakers, as it’ll be a moderate hike through snowy terrain to reach the monkeys.

🙊 Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano 🍶

This full-day tour from Nagano combines culture, local flavors, and nature. You’ll visit the historic Zenko-ji Temple, enjoy a sake tasting and regional lunch, and visit wild snow monkeys soaking in hot springs at Jigokudani. Keep in mind this tour starts at 0900 in Nagano, so you’d have to take the Shinkansen to Nagano Station yourself.

How to use the Shinkansen

Using Japan’s speedy bullet train may seem intimidating at first, but after your first time, you’ll be a pro! Now, there are two ways to do this: buying individual tickets or buying a Japan Rail Pass.

I want to first mention that the Japan Rail Pass is not always worth buying after they raised the prices. Currently, it’s around $336 for a 7-day pass and $470 for a Green Car (First Class) pass. I’ve traveled Japan with a JR Pass and without, and personally think that you need to travel a lot between cities to make the cost worth it.

Additionally, Japan’s train lines are run by many different companies, so JR really only covers long distances and won’t typically be helpful on your daily transportation.

Unless you plan on traveling to a lot of different cities, you’ll probably be fine with just buying individual tickets. I suggest that you calculate all the cities you’ll be visiting and see if the pass will be worth it.

Individual Tickets

I bought individual tickets on Klook, which was very convenient as they already seat you together and you can choose your preferences, such as oversized luggage space (if available), or seats that can see Mount Fuji when applicable. 

Klook gives you a QR code that you simply scan at the gate to enter the Shinkansen. However, sometimes you also have to scan your IC transit card, like Suica or Pasmo. 

There were some instances where I couldn’t scan the QR code, and to this day, I have no idea why it didn’t work, but the train attendants are always there to assist you, so it was a quick fix.

JR Rail Pass

The JR Rail Pass gives you unlimited rides on almost all of the JR trains. So if you’re traveling to many major cities, it could be worth it.

I got the Japan Train Pass when I visited Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Miyajima Island. I checked all the fares beforehand and it was just barely worth it, so I probably didn’t need to buy the pass.

The nice thing about having the JR Rail Pass is that you can make seat reservations in advance, and the unlimited rides grant flexibility. However, keep in mind it is a physical pass that you scan at the gate, so you can’t be a messy Bessie and lose it!

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Now, you may have noticed while reading the post, but a lot of trains either depart from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stay near those areas, but it’s good to keep in mind.

You can check out my post on where to stay in Tokyo according to your preferences. If you plan on doing a lot of day trips, here are some places in Shinjuku and Tokyo Station for easy convenience.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a business district by day, and a party area by night! I love being in Shinjuku because I like to be where the action is, and there's so many things to do in this area.

Shinjuku Station is also the busiest station because it’s connected to all the major train lines, so it’s very easy to travel around and beyond Tokyo if you stay here.

Tokyo Station

As a major hub for the Shinkansen (bullet trains) and JR lines, Tokyo Station is perfect if you intend on traveling out of the city a lot, like doing a ton of day trips. You’ll be at the heart of the city and at the gateway to the rest of Japan. You’ll save tons of time commuting and can catch early trains without stress.

Additionally, there are great restaurant and shop options here, so it’s a comfortable and central home base even if you don’t leave the city. You’ll also be able to go directly to either Narita or Haneda Airport without unnecessary stress.

Day Trips from Tokyo By Train FAQs

Here are some common questions you might have when choosing the best day trip option from Tokyo!

What’s the easiest 1 day trip from Tokyo?

The easiest day trip from Tokyo is Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city! You can visit the Cosmo World Ferris Wheel, take the Air Cabin lift, and eat amazing food at Chinatown.

is it possible to go from tokyo to mount fuji?

Yes, you definitely can, although I recommend booking a tour over taking the train independently because the public transportation is limited in Hakone and Kawaguchiko, two cities where you can see Mount Fuji on clear days.

Do I need to reserve train tickets in advance?

You don’t have to, the Shinkansen bullet train tickets have non-reserved seats (Usually cars 1-3, but can vary), but if you’re traveling with another person, I highly recommend getting reserved seats. It’s easier,r and you have a guaranteed spot.

If you’re taking a local train, you don’t have to reserve train tickets, you can pay for it at the train station using your IC transit card.

What should I pack for a day trip from Tokyo?

Here are the essentials you should bring for a day trip:

• Phone
• Some cash (for temples, shops, 5,000 yen is more than enough if you don’t plan on shopping)
• Portable Battery
• Comfortable shoes
• Small backpack or bag
• Wallet and IC Card
• Passport (Required for JR Pass or tax-free shopping)

Optional: 

• Camera
• Water bottle
• JR Pass or train ticket
• Jacket or Rain Jacket
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses

Renting a Car in Japan

While Japan's trains are incredible, and I don't recommend renting a car in Tokyo, it might be helpful to rent a car while exploring Japan's rural areas.

I loved renting a car and exploring Hakone and Kawaguchiko. It was so much easier to see all the landmarks we wanted to visit in the day. Kawaguchiko especially isn't easy to navigate without a car or tour bus.

We personally used Orix with Booking and were able to rent our car easily. You can check prices, choose the type of vehicle you want, and add affordable full coverage insurance upon checkout. 

Tips for Renting a Car in Japan

• Drive on the left: You’ll be driving on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right. It’s not too difficult to get the hang of, but go easy to have some time to adjust before driving in the city. I personally would avoid driving in cramped cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
• Learn the rules: Watch a YouTube video about the rules! You have to come to a FULL stop at the stop signs, big red signs that read “止まれ”. Always remember that pedestrians have the right of way, and make sure everyone wears a seatbelt.
• Get car insurance: Between tiny parking spots, winding roads, and the occasional wildlife sighting, car insurance is worth the peace of mind. When you use Booking, you have the option to add insurance at checkout.
• Pick a car that fits: Japan isn’t exactly known for wide open roads, especially in the countryside. A small or mid-sized car is usually best. Booking lets you filter by size, transmission, and even luggage space, so you know what you’re getting.
• Watch out for toll roads: If you’ll be using the expressways, it’s best to include an ETC card. Japan has a lot of toll roads! The card makes paying tolls way faster and way less stressful than having to look for cash.

What you need to rent a car in Japan

• Bring your valid license from your home country.
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention. We got ours in 20 minutes with Triple A in California before we left for Japan. 
• A credit card under the driver’s name for the deposit.
• Most rentals require you to be at least 18, and some may require you to have had your license for a year. If you're under 25, there might be a young driver fee.

Ready to give left-sided driving a spin? Click here to book with Booking!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

While traveling in a foreign country, it's essential to get full coverage trip insurance just in case an emergency happens. I recommend VisitorsCoverage for affordable prices and great insurance benefits.

Additionally, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card, you get automatic car and trip insurance!

Conclusion: Day Trips from Tokyo by Train

Now you know the best day trips out of Tokyo! There’s so much to do in Japan, so I know it can be hard to choose a location. Hopefully that helped you narrow your choices down.

Whether you want to soak in an onsen, see beautiful cherry blossoms, or visit some amazing natural landscapes, it is all attainable. The world is your oyster, my friend. 

Hope my travel tips will help you on your journey! If you need any help, feel free to email me at audrey@getlostinjapan.com! Happy traveling 🙂 

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