12 Best Day Trip Destinations from Tokyo (Easy to Hard!)
After spending a few days in the big city of Tokyo, you might want to refresh yourself and experience a change of scenery. I recommend leaving for a day trip from Tokyo to discover the surrounding of Tokyo.
From strolling around historic temples in the coastal nature of Kamakura to getting up close to the majestic view of Mt. Fuji, just by riding the train, you can see a completely different side of Tokyo.
However, you might be wondering, “How far can I go on a day trip, and is it easy to get there?”
Some destinations require advance planning and an early morning departure to return the same day, while others are accessible even if you’re reading this while having breakfast in Tokyo right now.
To help you decide, today I’ll introduce 12 day-trip destinations from Tokyo—from easy-to-reach places where you can just hop on a train, to slightly more challenging spots that require some preparation and, in some cases, reservations for buses or trains.
12 ideas for A Day Trip from Tokyo
Quick overview of the best one-day trips from Tokyo:
- Easy & Quick Day Trips (Under 1 Hour)
- 1. Yokohama (17 min) – Port city with great food & parks
- 2. Kawagoe (30 min) – Edo-period town & street food
- 3. Atami (34 min) – Seaside hot spring resort
- 4. Mt. Takao (55 min) – Easy hiking & nature escape
- 5. Kamakura (55 min) – Historic temples & The Great Buddha
- Medium-Level Day Trips (1-1.5 Hours)
- 6. Enoshima (56 min) – Island shrine & ocean views
- 7. Misaki & Jogashima (70 min) – Seafood & coastal scenery
- 8. Narita (70 min) – Temple town near Narita Airport
- 9. Chichibu (1 hr 17 min) – Rural town with shrines & nature
- Challenging Day Trips (1.5+ Hours – Requires Planning)
- 10. Hakone (1 hr 46 min) – Hot springs, lake cruise & views of Mt. Fuji
- 11. Nikko (1 hr 50 min) – UNESCO temples & stunning waterfalls
- 12. Mt. Fuji / Kawaguchiko (1 hr 50 min – 2 hr 11 min) – Best Fuji views & cycling
For more visual view of destination, please see the YouTube video. Open in YouTube
Yokohama (17 minutes from Shinagawa Station)
Yokohama is a charming port city located just west of Tokyo. You can reach Yokohama Station in 25 minutes from Tokyo Station or 17 minutes from Shinagawa Station. The frequency of trains and the port town busy until evening make it perfet for a day trip from Tokyo.
The city offers plenty of parks and shopping spots along the waterfront. You might enjoy a relaxing stroll through quiet streets like Motomachi and Yamate or experience the lively atmosphere of Chinatown with its many restaurants.
Trains run every 7–8 minutes, making it easy to visit. If you take the Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya, you can go directly to Yokohama Chinatown Station, which is closer to the city’s central attractions. There are multiple ways to get to Yokohama, so check out our Yokohama day trip video for details!
Kawagoe (30 minutes from Ikebukuro Station)
Another easy-to-reach destination for a day trip from Toky ois Kawagoe, located 30 minutes northwest of Tokyo.
While it has hitorical shrines and temples, it is best known for a merchant town where you can enjoy street food and explore the historic Kurazukuri district, famous for its Edo-period architecture. If you prefer vivid old style Japanese town more than lots of tempels and shrines, this is a place to go.
To get there, take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro, which runs every 10 minutes and takes just 30 minutes. Alternatively, from Seibu Shinjuku Station, you can take a reserved-seat express train on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, which brings you closer to the old town area. This is a recommended option for those who want to get straight to sightseeing.
Atami (34 minutes, 3,740 yen )
Atami is technically farther than most of the other destinations on this list, but thanks to the Shinkansen, you can get there quickly.
Ths is a seaside hot spring town perched on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can enjoy the vibrant beach scenery, with hotels, souvenir shops, and street food stalls lining the compact coastal area. Kinomiya Shrine is a peaceful sanctuary where you can experience the serenity of the forest. The city’s cliffside landscape is picturesque.
It takes just 34 minutes from Shinagawa Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Take the local “Kodama” train. Since the travel time is short and most Kodama trains have non-reserved seats, an advance reservation is not necessary.
Mt. Takao (55 minutes from Shinjuku Station)
If you want to experience nature close to Tokyo, Mt. Takao is a great choice. It’s a small mountain where you can enjoy scenic hiking trails and a temple located in the forest.
Mt. Takao is technically within Tokyo and can be reached in 55 minutes from Shinjuku via the private Keio Line. The one-way fare is under 500 yen.
You can hike up the mountain, take a paved walking path, or ride a cable car or lift partway up. After a short walk from the Keio Line station, you’ll reach the hiking trail entrance and the cable car station. Restaurants are also located near the base, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed tourist experience.
For more details, check out our Mt. Takao day trip guide video!
Trains run every 20 minutes from Shinjuku directly to Takaosanguchi Station. The express train requires no additional fee or reservation.
Although Mt. Takao is close to Tokyo, keep in mind that the sun sets earlier in autumn and winter, so plan your return trip accordingly.
Kamakura (55 minutes from Tokyo Station)
If you’re interested in history, Kamakura is a must-visit. If you only have time for one destination and aren’t planning to visit Kyoto or Nara, Kamakura is likely your best choice.
A direct train from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station will take you to Kamakura in about an hour. Upon arrival, you’ll find Komachi Street right outside the station, lined with souvenir shops and restaurants. Kamakura is home to famous attractions like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Great Buddha. However, there are so many temples and shrines here that it’s impossible to see everything in a single day. Some of my favorites include the temples in North Kamakura, Hokokuji Temple (accessible by bus), and Hase Temple, which offers a stunning ocean view.
Since Kamakura is just an hour away, it’s a perfect for a day trip from Tokyo. there’s so much to see that you might regret arriving too late! I recommend you to plan where to go before or on the way.
Kamakura is also a coastal town. If you head to Shichirigahama Beach, you’ll see an island in the distance—your next destination, Enoshima.
Enoshima (56 minutes from Shinjuku Station via Odakyu Line)
You can reach Enoshima from Kamakura by taking the Enoden tram along the coast or directly from Shinjuku via the Odakyu Line to Katase-Enoshima Station. While local trains take longer, the limited-seat Romancecar express train from Shinjuku is also available, though departures are infrequent.
Enoshima is a small island in the Pacific Ocean connected by a bridge. It features an old-fashioned shopping street, a shrine on a hillside, and a nostalgic, traditional tourist atmosphere. The island also offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji across the sea.
If you plan to visit both Kamakura and Enoshima, be sure to allow enough time.
Check out our Kamakura and Enoshima videos for a more detailed guide!
Misaki & Jogashima (70 minutes from Shinagawa Station via Keikyu Line)
Less famous and less crowded than Kamakura, Misaki and Jogashima are located at the southern tip of the Miura Peninsula. You can reach Misakiguchi Station in 70 minutes from Shinagawa via the Keikyu Line. Trains run every 10 minutes, though some require a same-platform transfer. Keep in mind that you’ll need to take a bus from the station.
The one-way train and bus fare to Misaki Port is 1,090 yen.
In Misaki, you can stroll through an old-fashioned fishing town or take a short trip to the island of Jogashima, where you’ll find many friendly cats and a relaxing coastal atmosphere. The area is also famous for its delicious tuna.
Useful pass for Misaki A great option for this trip is the Misaki Maguro Ticket, which includes round-trip train fare, bus fare, a tuna meal, and an activity. I took the glass-bottom boat tour for activity coupon, where you can see fish swimming beneath you and even feed seabirds. It’s a unique experience. You can purchase this pass for 3,950 yen on Klook or Rakuten Travel Experience. The easiest way to use it is by exchanging your online voucher for a paper ticket at Shinagawa Station.
Narita (70 minutes from Keisei Ueno Station via local express train)
Narita is famous for its airport, but it has long been known as a temple town. Express trains like the Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner, which connect the airport to central Tokyo, do not stop in Narita Town, so you’ll need to take a local train.
From Ueno, the Keisei Main Line’s express train takes 70 minutes to Narita with no additional fee. If you’re coming from Narita Airport, JR and Keisei trains will get you there in about 11 minutes.
Chichibu (1 hour 17 minutes, 1,700 yen)
Chichibu is a mountain town west of Tokyo that has remained largely undeveloped compared to other tourist spots. It offers a glimpse of Japan’s rural past.
The unique Laview express train operates here and is worth experiencing for its futuristic design.
For foreign visitors, a 1,500-yen pass offers round-trip travel to Chichibu and an additional two-day pass extending to Nagatoro, another scenic area beyond Chichibu.
Is it possible to do a day trip? : From here, the list goes to the destinations that takes travel time. Making these locations good candidates for overnight stays. While day trips are possible, careful planning is required. Ideally, leave early in the morning and return before sunset. It’s best to reserve limited express train tickets in advance, though they can also be booked upon arrival in Japan.
Hakone (1 hour 46 minutes, 1,270 yen / +1,200 yen for Romancecar)
Next is Hakone, a classic onsen destination. To fully enjoy it, an overnight stay is recommended, but a day trip is also possible for those looking to experience the scenery and hot springs.
The easiest way to get there is by taking the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, which takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Regular trains take around 1 hour 46 minutes.
From there, you can take the mountain railway to explore the area, which is known for its hot springs, ropeways, lake cruises, hiking trails, shrines, and museums.
🎟️ Odakyu Hakone Free Pass Odakyu Hakone Freepass is convenient pass that includes one rounde trip from Shinjuku to Hakone Yumoto, and free rides on buses, ropeway, mountain railways and ferries. The ticket is available as paper tickets or digital. In case you use digital tickets, each traveler has to have a reliable Internet connection on the smartphone. 6100 Yen for 2 days
NIKKO (1 hour 50 minutes 3340 yen)
Nikko is a mountain resort located north of Tokyo. If your base is in Tokyo and you have to come back in a day, a day trip is good. Even though it’s possible to do a day trip, to see everything.
It takes 1 hour 50 minutes by express train from Asakusa (fee required).
I also made a video guide to Nikko, but I prioritized hiking, so I couldn’t see Toshogu Shrine. You can see the most famous Kegon Falls and Toshogu Shrine.
It is almost impossible to do a day trip to Nikko without using the express train (fee required).
Traveling by bus is essential, so you need to prepare in advance, such as your destination.
It is said that the best season is autumn.
🎟️ Useful pass for Nikko Nikko Pass ALL AREA is convenient. As with Hakone, it includes one round trip to Nikko and unlimited bus rides in Nikko. The bus is very expensive, so in most cases you pay off with the pass. 4160 to 4780 Yen
Mt.Fuji ( 2 Hours – Requires Planning)
Kawaguchiko is a town close to Mt. Fuji, and has the Chureito Pagoda, which offers a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji, Oshino Hakkai, a mysterious pond where spring water from Mt. Fuji flows, and a delicious food park. There is also Fuji-Q Highland, which has many thrilling coasters. After arriving there, you will travel by train and bus, but if the weather is good, you can also cycle around the lake.
However, it takes about two hours from Shinjuku by bus or train. It is a place you want to plan your trip in advance for better day trip from Tokyo.
Since Kawaguchiko is a popular day trip destination from Tokyo, trains and buses often sell out. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
| Transport Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji Excursion Train (from Shinjuku) | 1 hr 50 min | ¥4,130 | Direct train, scenic views |
| Highway Bus (from Shinjuku) | 1 hr 50 min | ¥2,200 | Cheaper but can be full |
| Local Train (Transfer at Otsuki) | 2 hr 11 min | Varies | Requires train change |
🎟️ JR TOKYO WIDE PASS JR is very expensive at 8260 yen round trip, but you can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass. For (15,000 Yen), you can also go to GALA Yuzawa and Karuizawa. Although it is not well known, there are several trains that run from Shinjuku to Tobu Nikko per day, and you can use it for that too.
In this article, I only showed the day trips that I have actually done, but there are many other places to go. I hope you find your favorite spots around Tokyo.
Thank you for reading. Have a great trip to Tokyo.
