10 Best Day Trips from Tokyo (With Costs and Train Times)

Tokyo is a world of its own, but its greatest advantage as a base city is its train connections. Within 1 to 2 hours, you can reach ancient temples, volcanic mountain landscapes, giant Buddha statues, small-town Japan, and ocean coastlines. All by train, all without needing to change your accommodation.

I have done every single day trip on this list from Tokyo. Some are classics that every visitor should do at least once. Others are quieter and less crowded — perfect if you want to escape the tourist circuit.

Before heading out on any of these, make sure your IC card is loaded and you have your transit apps ready. The Japan train guide for beginners covers everything you need to know about using the rail system. Check whether the JR Pass makes sense for your itinerary if you are planning multiple long day trips.

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Quick Comparison: All 10 Day Trips

Destination	Train Time	Approx. Round-Trip Fare	Highlights
Kamakura	55 min	1,400 JPY ($9.30)	Giant Buddha, temples, hiking
Nikko	2 hrs	5,000–6,000 JPY ($33–$40)	Elaborate shrines, waterfalls
Hakone	85 min	3,000–4,000 JPY ($20–$27)	Mt Fuji views, hot springs, art
Yokohama	30 min	900 JPY ($6)	Chinatown, harbor, modern city
Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko)	2 hrs	2,600 JPY ($17.30)	Fuji views, lakes, hiking
Kawagoe	50 min	900 JPY ($6)	Edo-era streets, sweet potato
Enoshima	1 hr	1,200 JPY ($8)	Island shrine, caves, sea views
Chichibu	80 min	1,400 JPY ($9.30)	Temples, nature, sake
Mt Takao	50 min	800 JPY ($5.30)	Accessible hiking, temple
Karuizawa	75 min (Shinkansen)	5,000 JPY ($33)	Mountain resort, cycling

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1. Kamakura — Giant Buddha and Temple Trails

Train time from Tokyo: 55 minutes (JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station or Shimbashi)

Round-trip fare: ~1,400 JPY (~$9.30) with IC card

Best for: History, hiking, temples, photography

Kamakura is one of the best day trips from Tokyo and should be near the top of every visitor’s list. The city was Japan’s de facto capital during the Kamakura shogunate (1185–1333) and is still packed with temples, shrines, and samurai-era history.

Highlights:

– Kotoku-in (Great Buddha): An open-air bronze Buddha standing 13.35 meters tall, dating to 1252. Admission 300 JPY (~$2). You can enter the hollow statue for 50 JPY more.

– Tsurugaoka Hachimangu: Kamakura’s main shrine, approached through a tree-lined avenue. Free to enter.

– Hase-dera Temple: Beautiful garden, cave network filled with small Jizo statues, and ocean views from the hillside. Admission 400 JPY (~$2.70).

– Daibutsu Hiking Course: A forested ridge trail connecting Kamakura’s western hills to the Great Buddha. Takes 1.5 to 2 hours and is genuinely beautiful with minimal crowds.

Budget for the day: 3,000–5,000 JPY (~$20–$33) including food and admissions.

Tip: Arrive early in the Great Buddha line — by 11 AM queues are significant. The Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway) tram that runs along Kamakura’s coast toward Enoshima is charming and costs 310 JPY (~$2.10).

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2. Nikko — Japan’s Most Ornate Shrine Complex

Train time from Tokyo: 2 hours (Tobu Nikko Line from Asakusa, or JR + Tobu from Shinjuku)

Round-trip fare: 5,000–6,000 JPY (~$33–$40) standard; covered by JR Pass + Nikko Pass

Best for: Architecture, history, nature, waterfalls

Nikko is home to Tosho-gu, one of the most elaborately decorated shrine complexes in Japan. Built to enshrine the founder of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the complex is a riot of gold leaf, painted carvings, and intricate detail that is completely unlike the austere minimalism of most Japanese temples.

Highlights:

– Tosho-gu: The main shrine complex with the famous three wise monkeys carving (“see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”) and the Yomeimon Gate. Admission 1,300 JPY (~$8.70).

– Rinno-ji Temple: A large Buddhist temple adjacent to Tosho-gu with a beautiful garden. Admission 400–1,000 JPY.

– Kegon Falls: A 97-meter waterfall, one of Japan’s three great waterfalls. 550 JPY (~$3.70) for the elevator to the base viewpoint.

– Lake Chuzenji: A crater lake above the falls, accessible by bus. Stunning in autumn foliage season.

Budget for the day: 6,000–10,000 JPY (~$40–$67) including transport and admissions.

Tip: The Tobu Nikko Pass (from Asakusa) covers round-trip trains and unlimited buses within Nikko for 4,780 JPY (~$31.90). Excellent value if you plan to use the mountain buses.

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3. Hakone — Mt Fuji Views and Onsen

Train time from Tokyo: 85 minutes (Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku, or JR to Odawara)

Round-trip fare: 3,000–4,000 JPY (~$20–$27) base; Hakone Free Pass is often better value

Best for: Mt Fuji views, onsen, open-air art museum, scenic transport

Hakone is the most popular day trip from Tokyo and for good reason: on a clear day, the view of Mt Fuji reflected in Lake Ashi is one of Japan’s iconic images. The area also has excellent onsen (hot springs), a world-class open-air sculpture museum, and a delightfully scenic transport loop involving trains, cable cars, ropeway, and a lake pirate ship.

Highlights:

– Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji view: The classic view from the lakeside at Moto-Hakone. Fuji is visible on clear mornings (clouds typically build in the afternoon).

– Hakone Open Air Museum: Outdoor sculpture garden with works by Picasso, Moore, and Rodin set against mountain scenery. Admission 1,600 JPY (~$10.70).

– Hakone Ropeway: Cable car over the volcanic Owakudani valley with direct Mt Fuji views on clear days. Stunning in any weather.

– Owakudani: Volcanic hot spring area where you can eat black eggs boiled in sulfuric spring water (5 eggs for 500 JPY / ~$3.30, said to add 7 years to your life).

– Onsen: Day use at public baths from 700 to 1,500 JPY (~$4.70–$10). Hakone Yuryo near Hakone-Yumoto Station is a good option.

Hakone Free Pass: 6,100 JPY (~$40.70) from Shinjuku, covers Odakyu round-trip plus all Hakone transport (ropeway, buses, pirate ship). Almost always worth buying.

Budget for the day: 8,000–14,000 JPY (~$53–$93) all-in depending on museum and onsen choices.

Tip: Fuji visibility is the wild card. Check the forecast the night before — mornings are always better than afternoons. If Fuji is clouded in, Hakone’s other attractions (the museum, ropeway, onsen) are still worth the trip.

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4. Yokohama — Japan’s Second City

Train time from Tokyo: 30 minutes (JR Tokaido or Keihin-Tohoku from Tokyo/Shinagawa)

Round-trip fare: ~900 JPY (~$6) with IC card

Best for: Chinatown, harbor, modern cityscape, food

Yokohama is technically a separate city but feels like an extension of Tokyo. It is Japan’s second-largest city and has a distinctive international character — it was one of Japan’s first treaty ports opened to foreign trade in 1859.

Highlights:

– Chinatown (Chukagai): One of Asia’s largest Chinatories, with over 600 shops and restaurants. The pork buns (niku-man) and dumplings here are excellent. Free to explore.

– Yamashita Park: Harborside park with views of the bay, the Hikawa Maru museum ship, and the skyline.

– Minato Mirai: Yokohama’s modern harbor district with the Landmark Tower (observation deck 1,000 JPY / ~$6.70), shopping malls, and excellent waterfront walks.

– Sankeien Garden: Traditional Japanese garden with historical buildings transplanted from Kyoto. Admission 700 JPY (~$4.70).

Budget for the day: 3,000–6,000 JPY (~$20–$40).

Tip: Yokohama makes an excellent half-day trip combined with Kamakura — take the Shonan-Shinjuku Line directly between the two.

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5. Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko) — The Iconic Climb or View

Train time from Tokyo: 2 hours (JR + Fuji Excursion or Fujikyu Express from Shinjuku/Otsuki)

Round-trip fare: ~2,600 JPY (~$17.30) to Kawaguchiko

Best for: Fuji views, hiking, lake scenery

The Fuji Five Lakes area (Fujigoko) surrounds the base of Mt Fuji and offers both viewing opportunities and the start of the official climbing trails (July to early September only for summit climbing).

Highlights:

– Lake Kawaguchi: The most accessible of the five lakes, with direct Fuji reflections on calm mornings.

– Chureito Pagoda: The five-story pagoda with Mt Fuji backdrop that appears on every Japan postcard. Access via a long staircase above Shimoyoshida Station (free).

– Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station: If you want to get partway up the mountain without a full climb, buses run from Kawaguchiko to the 5th Station (2,300 meters). Bus ~1,500 JPY.

– Fujikyu Highland: Amusement park at the base of the mountain, famous for its extreme roller coasters. Optional, but popular with adrenaline seekers.

Summit climbing: If you are visiting July through early September, climbing Mt Fuji from the 5th Station to the summit (3,776 meters) takes 5 to 8 hours up and 3 to 5 hours down. It is a demanding but manageable hike with no technical skill required. A climbing fee (2,000 JPY / ~$13.30) was introduced in 2024 on the Yoshida Trail.

Budget for the day: 4,000–8,000 JPY (~$27–$53) for a viewing/lake day; 8,000–15,000 JPY for a summit climb day including bus and gear.

Tip: Go on a weekday and arrive at sunrise for the clearest Fuji views. Afternoon clouds nearly always obscure the summit.

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6. Kawagoe — Little Edo

Train time from Tokyo: 50 minutes (Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro or Seibu Shinjuku Line)

Round-trip fare: ~900 JPY (~$6) with IC card

Best for: Historic streets, local food, quiet atmosphere

Kawagoe is nicknamed “Little Edo” for its remarkably well-preserved Edo-period (1603–1868) warehouse district (kurazukuri). Walking through Ichiban-gai (the main historic street) feels like stepping back 200 years.

Highlights:

– Kurazukuri Street: The main preserved street of clay-walled warehouses, now shops and cafes. Free to walk.

– Toki no Kane (Bell Tower): A historic wooden bell tower that still chimes four times daily. The surrounding street is one of the most photographed in Saitama.

– Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley): A small lane of old-fashioned sweet shops selling traditional Japanese candy. Very charming and very cheap.

– Sweet potato snacks: Kawagoe is famous for satsuma-imo (sweet potato). Imo-flavored soft cream, chips, and pastries are everywhere. Budget 300 to 800 JPY.

Budget for the day: 2,000–4,000 JPY (~$13–$27).

Tip: Kawagoe is excellent for half a day and pairs well with a morning in Tokyo before heading out around noon.

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7. Enoshima — Island Shrine and Caves

Train time from Tokyo: 1 hour (Odakyu Line to Katase-Enoshima, or JR to Fujisawa)

Round-trip fare: ~1,200 JPY (~$8) with IC card

Best for: Coastal scenery, shrine visit, sea caves, beach town atmosphere

Enoshima is a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway, about 300 meters wide and containing a Shinto shrine, sea caves, gardens, and commanding views of the Pacific. In spring and autumn (and on clear winter days), Mt Fuji is visible from the island’s viewpoints.

Highlights:

– Enoshima Shrine: A complex of three interconnected shrines spread across the island’s spine. Free outer areas; 500 JPY for the garden and sea cave entrance.

– Iwaya Caves: Sea caves at the island’s far end, dramatically lit with candles. Admission 500 JPY (~$3.30).

– Enoshima Sea Candle: Observation lighthouse with sea and, on clear days, Fuji views. Admission 500 JPY (~$3.30).

– Shirasu-don: Enoshima’s local specialty — raw or cooked whitebait over rice. Excellent and very fresh. Budget 1,000–1,500 JPY.

Budget for the day: 4,000–7,000 JPY (~$27–$47).

Tip: Combine with Kamakura for a full day — Kamakura and Enoshima are connected by the charming Enoden tram (310 JPY, 25 minutes).

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8. Chichibu — Temples, Nature, and Sake

Train time from Tokyo: 80 minutes (Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Seibu-Chichibu)

Round-trip fare: ~1,400 JPY (~$9.30) with IC card

Best for: Off the beaten path, temples, natural scenery, sake

Chichibu is one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. A mountain town in Saitama Prefecture surrounded by forested peaks, it has a famous 34-temple pilgrimage route, a renowned whisky distillery, excellent locally brewed sake, and almost no foreign tourists.

Highlights:

– Chichibu Shrine: A beautifully decorated Edo-period shrine in the town center. Free to enter.

– Nagatoro: A river gorge area accessible by train from Chichibu (15 minutes) where you can take traditional flat-bottom boat rides through the rapids. 1,600 JPY (~$10.70) per person.

– Chichibu Distillery (Ichiro’s Malt): One of Japan’s most respected small whisky producers. Tours available with advance booking.

– Mitsuminejinja: A mountain shrine at 1,100 meters elevation above Chichibu, accessible by bus. Extraordinary atmosphere, especially on foggy mornings.

Budget for the day: 4,000–8,000 JPY (~$27–$53).

Tip: Visit in late November for fall foliage (Chichibu Nighttime Festival is in December and spectacular but requires planning). Weekdays are notably quieter.

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9. Mt Takao (Takaosan) — Tokyo’s Accessible Hike

Train time from Tokyo: 50 minutes (Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi)

Round-trip fare: ~800 JPY (~$5.30) with IC card

Best for: Hiking, mountain scenery, temple visit, budget day out

Mt Takao is a 599-meter mountain 50 minutes from Shinjuku, and at approximately 2.6 million visitors per year it is one of the most climbed mountains in the world. Do not let the visitor numbers put you off — the mountain is genuinely beautiful, the trails are excellent, and there is a significant difference in atmosphere between the busy lower trails and the quieter ridge paths.

Highlights:

– Trail 1 (main trail): A well-paved path up to the summit with Yakuo-in temple partway up. Takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

– Yakuo-in Temple: An atmospheric mountain temple on the main trail with a striking guardian deity display.

– Summit views: On clear winter and spring mornings, Mt Fuji is visible from the summit across the Kanto Plain.

– Cable car / chairlift: Skip half the climb if legs are tired. Cable car 490 JPY one way, ~$3.30.

– Soba noodles: The mountain is famous for tororo soba (with mountain yam). Budget 1,000–1,500 JPY at the summit restaurants.

Budget for the day: 2,000–4,000 JPY (~$13–$27).

Tip: Go on a weekday or arrive early on weekends. December through February has the best odds for clear Fuji views from the summit.

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10. Karuizawa — Mountain Resort Town

Train time from Tokyo: 75 minutes (Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station)

Round-trip fare: ~5,000 JPY (~$33) — requires Shinkansen tickets (JR Pass eligible on Hokuriku)

Best for: Upscale town exploration, cycling, Shiraito Falls, slow travel

Karuizawa is a mountain resort town at 1,000 meters elevation in Nagano Prefecture, historically popular with foreign missionaries and wealthy Japanese families as a summer escape from Tokyo’s humidity. It has a distinctive European-influenced architecture, wide tree-lined streets perfect for cycling, excellent shopping, and beautiful surrounding nature.

Highlights:

– Kyukaruizawa Ginza: The charming main shopping street with cafes, craft shops, and jam shops.

– Shiraito Falls: A wide, low waterfall fed by snowmelt from Mt Asama. Access by bus or cycle (8 km from town). Free to view.

– Cycling: Rental bikes available throughout town. The gentle mountain roads make for a beautiful few hours. Bike rental ~500–1,000 JPY per hour.

– Harunire Terrace: A stylish riverside shopping and dining complex built around preserved larch trees. Free to walk; restaurants run 1,500–3,000 JPY.

– Kumobaike Pond: A scenic lake walk 2 km north of the station. Beautiful in autumn foliage season.

Budget for the day: 8,000–14,000 JPY (~$53–$93) including Shinkansen.

Tip: Karuizawa is noticeably cooler than Tokyo year-round. Pack a layer even in summer. The town shuts down significantly in winter (December to March) with many shops closed.

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Planning Your Day Trips: Practical Tips

Avoid peak travel days: Golden Week (late April to early May), the Obon period (mid-August), and New Year holidays all see extremely crowded trains and attractions. Day trips during these periods require earlier starts and more patience.

IC card or JR Pass: Most day trips within 2 hours of Tokyo can be done with just an IC card. The JR Pass adds value specifically for Nikko (JR portion), Karuizawa (Hokuriku Shinkansen), and Hakone (Tokyo to Odawara on JR). Read the JR Pass guide before buying.

Start early: For all scenic destinations (Hakone, Fuji views, Kamakura), morning light is better for photography and crowds are lower before 11 AM.

Pack lightly: Bring a small day bag with water, snacks from a convenience store, a small amount of cash, and comfortable shoes. See the Japan convenience store guide for pre-trip snack and supplies strategy.

Weather check: Mountain destinations (Hakone, Nikko, Fuji area) are weather-dependent. Check forecasts the day before and have a backup plan.

For a full breakdown of transport costs across a week of travel, see the Japan 1-week budget guide.

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