If you're going to be in Tokyo for more than three or four days, why not take a day trip? Nikko, Kamakura and Mt Fuji are the best choices. You can even do Kyoto as a day trip from Tokyo!
Japon, Tokyo, Nikko: Yomei-Mon © audrey-robin
Best Day Trips Summary
- Nikko is home to some of Japan's most colorful and impressive temples and shrines.
- Kamakura has a great collection of Zen temples and an impressive shrine.
- Mt Fuji is a good trip if you want to climb or just lay eyes on the famous mountain.
- Kyoto is 2.5 hours from Tokyo by shinkansen (bullet train) so you can visit it in one long day.
- If you're travelling with children and want more theme park fun beyond Tokyo Disneyland, there is Legoland Japan in Nagoya and also Universal Studios Japan in Osaka
Best Day Trips Details
Nikko
- About 115km/70m north of Tokyo, Nikko is the home of several grand and gaudy shrines and temples that serve as mausoleum and monuments to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the greatest of all Japanese Shoguns. While most temples and many shrines in Japan are rather austere, these structures here are shockingly bright and ornate. And the entire complex is located in a forest of towering pine trees. Check the Tobu Train Line website for details on direct express trains and special train/temple/shrine admission passes.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 1 hour 41minutes, Y1360
- How to get there: Tobu Line "Kegon" Limited Express from Asakusa
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Soaring forests, colorful temples and shrines, nearby ones.
Kamakura
- About 42km/26m southwest of Tokyo, Kamakura is a pleasant little seaside town that has a nice cluster of interesting sights. The 11m Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is an awesome sight and well worth a visit. Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine is a spacious and impressive Shinto shrine near the middle of town. And, scattered all around you'll find lovely little Zen temples. Kamakura is easy to visit from Tokyo and is a nice change of pace from crowded and bustling Tokyo.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 55 minutes, Y920
- How to get there: JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Daibutsu (Great Buddha), Zen temples, impressive shrine
Mount Fuji
- About 100km/62m west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is the iconic symbol of Japan. While it's sometimes visible from tall buildings in Tokyo (on really clear days), if you're like most people, you want to get a closer look at the mountain or perhaps even climb it. During the climbing season, direct buses run from Shinjuku to the Fifth Station on the shoulder of the mountain. The rest of the year, buses run to towns around the base of the mountain. For full details on visiting or climbing Mt Fuji, see my Climbing or Visiting Mount Fuji From Tokyo page and see also a walkthrough of a more sedate day trip of viewing Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 2 hours 30 minutes, Y2700
- How to get there: Direct bus from Shinjuku
- Best time to go: 1 July to 14 September to climb, the rest of the year to visit
- Highlights: An awesome volcanic cone, sunrise from the summit, lakes at the base
Kyoto
- About 377km/234m west of Tokyo, Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan and it is a must-see destination (along with, of course, Tokyo)! It would be a real shame to come to Japan and not visit Kyoto, especially if you don't plan on returning for a while. While you should try to spend as long as possible in Kyoto, if you have limited time, you can actually visit Kyoto as a day trip from Tokyo. Sure, it will be a long day, but if you leave around 8am, you can do 6 hours of sightseeing in Kyoto and be back in Tokyo in time for a late dinner. And because the shinkansen (bullet trains) are so comfortable, it's not even that tiring. For transport information, see my Tokyo-Kyoto Transport Page. See my InsideKyoto.com site for full details on Kyoto.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 2 hours 20 minutes, Y13,080
- How to get there: Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Temples, shrines, gardens, geisha, everything!
Legoland Japan and Universal Studios Japan
- Legoland Japan is located in Nagoya, around 1 hour and 40 minutes on the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo. This could be a fun if long daytrip - see my complete guide to Legoland Japan on InsideOsaka.com to see if it's right for you. Next door to Legoland is the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park which is great for adults and older kids. If theme parks are what make your children happy, consider also a visit to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. It's not really a day trip, but you could overnight there and return to Tokyo if you wished, or of course just stay on in Osaka to explore the city and nearby Kyoto.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy a Japan SIM card online with Klook for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router.
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals.
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass - here's why it's worth it
- It's essential you have travel insurance for Tokyo - we recommend World Nomads
