Best Day Trips from Tokyo
When Tokyo overwhelms me, these are the escapes I actually take—each under ~2 hours from the city.
Nikko (about 2 hours, JR Nikko Line)
- Toshogu Shrine: Ornate, gold-leaf overload; arrive by 9:30am to beat tour buses. ¥1,300 entry.
- Lake Chuzenji: Cool mountain air; rent a bike lakeside in summer.
- Kegon Falls: Take the elevator to the base; stunning after rain.
- Eat: Yuba (tofu skin) set meals near Toshogu.
- Reference image: Toshogu’s lavish gate framed by cedar trees.
Kamakura (about 1 hour, JR Yokosuka Line)
- Great Buddha (Daibutsu): Arrive before 10am; ¥300 entry.
- Hokokuji Bamboo Temple: Quiet bamboo grove; matcha + sweets add-on.
- Yuigahama Beach: Sunset stroll, casual cafés.
- Eat: Shirasu-don (whitebait rice bowls) near Enoshima.
- Reference image: Daibutsu with blue sky and temple grounds.
Hakone (about 1.5 hours, Odakyu Romance Car or JR to Odawara)
- Onsen loop: Hakone-Yumoto for easy access; Gora for upscale ryokan.
- Open-Air Museum: Sculptures plus footbaths—my rainy-day favorite.
- Lake Ashi: Pirate boat + ropeway for Fuji views (clear mornings best).
- Eat: Black eggs at Owakudani; soba near Gora.
- Reference image: Lake Ashi pirate ship with Fuji backdrop.
Mount Fuji Area (about 2 hours, JR Chuo Line to Otsuki then Fujikyu)
- Kawaguchiko: Lakeside walks, autumn leaves, and spring blossoms.
- Chureito Pagoda: Iconic photo spot—go early for parking and soft light.
- Fuji Five Lakes: Rent a bike; stop at Iyashi-no-Sato village for photos.
- Eat: Hoto noodles (hearty miso stew) on cool days.
- Reference image: Chureito Pagoda with Fuji at sunrise.
Yokohama (about 30 minutes, JR Tokaido/Keihin-Tohoku)
- Chinatown: Japan’s largest; go hungry for buns and dim sum.
- Cup Noodle Museum: Fun, quick stop—book ahead on weekends.
- Minato Mirai: Sunset over the bay; Cosmo Clock ferris wheel.
- Eat: Sanma-men (local soy-based ramen) or beef bowls at Yoshimuraya (iekei style).
- Reference image: Minato Mirai skyline at dusk.
JR Pass Tip: JR covers Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama, and parts of Fuji access; Hakone ropeway/ships are extra—grab a Hakone Free Pass if you’ll circuit the loop.