Tokyo has some of the best day-trip options of any city in the world: ancient shrines, volcanic mountains, samurai towns, and coastal Buddhist temples, all within two hours. One of Tokyo’s great underappreciated advantages is what surrounds it.
Within two hours of Shinjuku, you can reach ancient shrine complexes in a cedar forest, a volcanic hot spring resort with views of Mount Fuji, the Great Buddha statue on a coastal hillside, and one of Japan’s most intact historic towns. This guide covers the day trips that are genuinely worth doing, with honest notes on what takes too long, what is overrated, and how to combine destinations efficiently.
Quick picks: Nikko for ancient architecture and mountain scenery. Kamakura for the Great Buddha and coastal temples. Hakone for onsen and Fuji views. Yokohama for a half-day urban contrast. Kawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes) for the best Fuji photographs.
Nikko – Ancient Shrines in Mountain Forest
Nikko is the most architecturally impressive day trip from Tokyo. The Toshogu Shrine complex, built as the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, is one of the most ornate and visually extraordinary religious sites in Japan. The famous carving of the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) is here. The Yomeimon Gate is covered in over 500 carvings of animals, flowers, and figures and took two years to build in the 17th century.
The surrounding area has the Kegon Falls (one of Japan’s most spectacular waterfalls), Lake Chuzenji, and mountain hiking trails. Nikko is also extraordinary in autumn, with the maple and beech trees around the shrine complex peaking in late October.
- Getting there: Tobu Nikko Line from Asakusa (about 2 hours, around 1,400 yen one way). Or JR Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then local train (JR Pass valid, about 2 hours total).
- Entry fees: Toshogu Shrine area pass 1,300 yen. Allow at least 4 hours at the site.
- Best time: Late October for autumn foliage. Weekday visits avoid weekend crowds and allow you to take the Shinkansen back.
Stay overnight: Nikko has excellent budget guesthouses and a traditional hot spring area (Nikko Yumoto Onsen) in the mountains above the shrine. One night transforms it from a rushed day trip into a proper experience.
Kamakura – The Great Buddha and Coastal Temples
Kamakura was Japan’s political capital in the 12th and 13th centuries and retains an extraordinary concentration of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines set in forested hills above the sea. The Kotoku-in Great Buddha, a 13.35-meter bronze figure sitting in the open air, is the most visited sight, and it genuinely lives up to its scale. The statue’s interior is hollow and open to visitors for 20 yen.
Beyond the Great Buddha, Kamakura rewards slow exploration. Engaku-ji Temple at the northern entrance to the city, Hokoku-ji Temple with its famous bamboo grove (entry 400 yen), and the Daibutsu Hiking Course trail connecting several temples through forested hillsides are all excellent. The town centre has excellent cafes and restaurants.
- Getting there: JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station to Kamakura (about 1 hour, 940 yen). JR Pass is valid.
- Best time: Weekday mornings. Kamakura gets very crowded on weekends. Autumn foliage peaks in late November.
- Combine with: Enoshima Island (30 minutes from Kamakura by Enoden railway) for a coastal afternoon, caves, a lighthouse, and fresh seafood.
Hakone – Onsen, Fuji Views, and the Ropeway
Hakone is the most accessible hot spring resort from Tokyo and the best option for anyone wanting to combine an onsen experience with a day trip. The Hakone Ropeway crosses the active volcanic valley of Owakudani, with steam vents and bubbling grey mud, in a landscape that feels genuinely otherworldly, and descends to Lake Ashi, where a cruise offers views toward Mount Fuji on clear days.
The Open-Air Museum near Chokoku-no-Mori Station has an outstanding collection of outdoor sculptures, including a Picasso pavilion, which is surprisingly excellent and included in the Hakone Free Pass.
- Getting there: Odakyu Romancecar express from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (85 minutes, around 2,500 yen). The Hakone Free Pass (from 6,000 yen for 2 days from Shinjuku) covers almost all transport within Hakone, including the ropeway, cruise, and local buses.
- Fuji views: Clear in winter and early spring. Often cloud-covered in summer.
- Stay overnight: One night at a ryokan in Hakone is one of the best experiences in Japan, within easy reach of Tokyo. See the ryokan guide for what to expect and how to book.
Yokohama, Japan’s Most International Port City
Yokohama is only 30 minutes from Tokyo by express train. Still, it feels like a completely different city: a 19th-century port with Western-influenced architecture, Japan’s largest Chinatown, and a genuinely beautiful waterfront on a clear day. Yokohama works well as a half-day trip combined with a morning in Tokyo.
Highlights: Motomachi-Chinatown for the dense, atmospheric Chinatown streets, Minato Mirai 21 waterfront for the harbour views, the Yokohama Landmark Tower observation deck (1,000 yen), Yamashita Park along the waterfront, and the Cup Noodles Museum (500 yen), where you design your own instant ramen cup, which is more enjoyable than it sounds.
- Getting there: JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo Station to Yokohama (28 minutes, 480 yen). Or the Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya. JR Pass is valid.
- Best for: A half-day addition to a Tokyo stay rather than a full-day trip.
Kawaguchiko – The Best Fuji Photographs
For the famous image of Mount Fuji reflected in a lake, framed by cherry blossoms in spring or red maples in autumn, Lake Kawaguchiko in the Fuji Five Lakes area is the destination. The Chureito Pagoda, above Fujiyoshida town, 400 steps above the lakeside, looking directly at Fujii, is the most photographed spot in Japan.
Kawaguchiko is an excellent base for the Fuji climbing season (July to August) or for viewing Fuji without climbing. See the Mount Fuji guide for the full breakdown of climbing options and viewing spots.
- Getting there: Direct highway bus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal (about 100 minutes, 1,800 yen one way), JR Chuo Line to Otsuki, then Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko.
- Best time: Late March to early April for cherry blossoms with Fuji. Late October to early November for autumn foliage. Winter for the clearest Fuji views.
Nikko vs Kamakura vs Hakone: Which to Choose?
One day, I want to study ancient history: Nikko. The shrine complex is the most impressive single site of any Tokyo day trip.
One day, I want to visit nature and the temples in Kamakura: a more relaxed pace, excellent hiking, and a coastal setting.
One day, want onsen and scenery: Hakone. The only day trip where you can soak in a proper hot spring and see Fuji.
Half day, want something different from central Tokyo: Yokohama. Fast, easy, and a genuinely different urban atmosphere.
Fuji photography specifically: Kawaguchiko. No other option produces the same images.
Practical Notes
- IC card transport: Your Suica card covers most local transport, including JR trains to Kamakura and Yokohama. See the Suica guide.
- JR Pass: Covers JR trains to Kamakura, Yokohama, and Nikko (via Utsunomiya). Does not cover Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone or Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko. See the JR Pass guide to calculate whether the pass saves money on your specific route.
- Timing: Start early for all destinations. Nikko and Kamakura are most pleasant before the weekend tour groups arrive. Target a 7 to 8 am departure from Tokyo.
