Take a day trip from Tokyo to check out superb temples and shrines in Nikko and Kamakura, gaze at the perfect cone of Mt Fuji, or even hop on the bullet train to Kyoto. Here, we introduce these famous and some not-so-famous day trip destinations from Tokyo.
Best Day Trips From Tokyo Overview
- Nikko is home to some of Japan's most colorful 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 it or just lay eyes on the famous mountain.
- Hakone is a good day trip or overnight trip if you like art museums and hot springs.
- Kyoto is 2.5 hours from Tokyo by comfortable shinkansen (bullet train) so you can visit it in one long day (but we recommend staying at least one night).
- If you're travelling with children, Tokyo Disneyland is just minutes from downtown Tokyo. Other great theme parks within daytrip distance include Legoland Japan (Nagoya) and Universal Studios Japan (Osaka).
- For something different, you could try Enoshima Island, which is popular with Japanese but largely ignored by tourists.
- Finally, if you or your kids are a fan of Miyazaki’s great anime films, you shouldn’t miss the Ghibli Museum.
Nikko
Toshogu Shrine at Nikko: Luciano Mortula / Shutterstock.com
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. See our detailed Nikko Day Trip Itinerary for a complete guide to how to best spend your time in Nikko.
- 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
Daibutsu (Great Buddha) in Kamakura: Eakkarat Rangram / Shutterstock.com
About 42km/26m southwest of Tokyo, Kamakura is a pleasant little seaside town that has a nice cluster of interesting sights. The 11-meter-high 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
- Our Full Guide: Kamakura Day Trip Itinerary
Mount Fuji
Mt Fuji over Lake Kawaguchi-ko: JHENG YAO / Shutterstock.com
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.
- 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
- Mt Fuji Guide: Climbing or Visiting Mount Fuji From Tokyo
- Area Guide: A Day Trip to the Mt. Fuji Area: Lake Kawaguchiko
Hakone
The Peace Shrine Gate viewed from the pirate ship crossing Lake Ashinoko. - image © Florentyna Leow
About 82km/51m southwest of Tokyo, Hakone is a sprawling collection of tourist sites spread over a mountainside and down to a lake. Sights include art museums and onsen, and the chance of good views of Mt Fuji on clear days. It’s possible to visit as a day trip, but many people choose to stay overnight.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 90 minutes, about Y2000 (depending on route and ticket)
- How to get there: Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Art museums, onsen, Mt Fuji views
- Our Full Guide: Hakone Day Trip Itinerary
Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto: Chayakorn Lotongkum / Shutterstock.com
About 377km/234m west of Tokyo, Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan and it is a must-see destination! 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.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 2 hours 20 minutes, Y13,080 (see Tokyo-Kyoto Transport Page for full details)
- 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!
- Our Guide: InsideKyoto.com
Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland character parade: Andreas H / Shutterstock.com
About 12km/7m west of Tokyo, Tokyo Disneyland is a must-see attraction for many families visiting Japan. It’s as good as any Disneyland anywhere, and you’ll find all the famous attractions you’d expect. And, right next door, you’ll find DisneySea, a marine-themed amusement park that deserves a full day to enjoy.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: about 25 minutes, Y480
- How to get there: Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Rides, characters, parades, fattening food!
- Our Tokyo Disneyland Guide: Tokyo Disneyland Guide
- Our DisneySea Guide: Tokyo DisneySea Guide
Legoland Japan and Maglev Museum
Legoland Japan - image © Chris Rowthorn
About 275km/170m southwest of Tokyo, Legoland Japan is located in the harbor area of Nagoya, which is just 1 hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo (you change to a local rail line for the journey from Nagoya Station down to Legoland). It’s a great attraction for younger kids. And, nearby, you’ll find the excellent SMMAGLEV and Railway Park, which is a world-class train museum. You can visit these as a daytrip from Tokyo if you get an early start. Otherwise, spend one night in Nagoya.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 2 hours 15 minutes, Y10,710
- How to get there: Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa, followed by the Aonami Line
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Rides, Japan in Lego, train museum
- Legoland Japan Guide: Legoland Japan Guide
- Maglev Museum Guide: Nagoya’s SCMAGLEV and Railway Park: A Full Guide
Universal Studios Japan
Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Japan: DRN Studio / Shutterstock.com
About 410km/254m southwest of Tokyo, Universal Studios Japan is located on the waterfront of Osaka. It’s arguably the best theme park in Japan, especially since they built the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. It's not really a day trip, but you could overnight there and return to Tokyo if you wished, or spend a night or two in Osaka to explore the city.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: 3 hours 10 minutes, Y13,620
- How to get there: Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa to Osaka, then subway, then JR Osaka Loop Line and JR Yumesaki Line
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Rides, shows, themed attractions, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- Our Guide: Universal Studios Japan Guide
Shimoda
One of the shrine gates at Shirahama Shrine, Shimoda - image © Florentyna Leow
Located to the southeast of Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula has all the elements for a great adventure – fantastic hiking trails, rugged cliffs, the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. We recommend an overnight trip to Shimoda, a charming coastal town on the east side of the Izu peninsula. A compact little town with a ton of history and delicious seafood, Shimoda makes a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.
- Travel time / cost from Tokyo: 2 and a half hours to three hours, Y6390
- How to get there: Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station
- Best time to go: All year round
- Our Guide: Shimoda Overnight Trip Itinerary
Enoshima Island
Enoshima Island: MI7 / Shutterstock.com
About 50km/31m southwest of Tokyo, the island of Enoshima is a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway. It’s been a tourist attraction for as long as there have been tourists in Japan. This means it’s rather overdeveloped and slightly tacky, but in the right mood, it can be a lot of fun. And, it can easily be combined with a trip to nearby Kamakura (see earlier on this page).
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: about 2 hours and 30 minutes, Y810
- How to get there: Odakyu Line to Katase, then Enoshima Line
- Best time to go: All year round (best in good weather, though)
- Highlights: shrine, gardens, caves, beach, Mt Fuji views (on very clear days)
- Our Guide: Enoshima Island Day Trip Itinerary
Ghibli Museum (and Inokashira-koen Park)
Ghibli Museum robot statue: cowardlion / Shutterstock.com
About 18km/11m west of Tokyo in the suburb of Mitaka, the Ghibli Museum is a must for any fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s magical anime films like “My Neighbor Totoro” or “Spirited Away.” The museum is as magical as his films and adults will enjoy it as much as children. The museum is located in Inokashira-koen Park, which is a huge expanse of fields, forests and lakes that will come as a relief after a few days in the urban madness of Tokyo.
- Travel time/cost from Tokyo: about 50 minutes, Y600
- How to get there: JR Chuo Line then bus
- Best time to go: All year round
- Highlights: Ghibli Museum, lovely park, lake
- Our Guide: Inokashira-koen Park and Ghibli Museum and How To Get Ghibli Museum Tickets
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 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. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- 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
- A prepaid Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
