8 Best Day Trips from Tokyo

Mount Fuji, with its perfect silhouette, is one of Japan's most iconic landmarks. From Tokyo, it can be reached by bus or bullet train, and many tours combine the visit with the Hakone region, famous for its hot springs and scenic views.

The tour usually includes stops at the Fifth Fuji Station, Lake Ashi for a boat ride, and the Hakone cable car for a spectacular view of the mountain. The duration of the tour is 10-11 hours, and prices are around 100-150 €, depending on the activities included.

If you prefer a more direct visit to Mount Fuji, there are tours that focus exclusively on this impressive volcano. These tours include bus transportation to the Fifth Station, from where you can get spectacular views if the weather permits.

Some tours allow for short hiking trails or visits to nearby shrines dedicated to the sacred mountain. The duration varies between 8 and 10 hours, with prices ranging from 80-120€, depending on whether meals and additional stops are included.

Nikko is one of the most recommended tours from Tokyo for its incredible natural environment and historic temples. The main attraction is the Toshogu Shrine, an impressive complex decorated with gilded details and exquisite carvings.

The tour usually includes transportation by train or bus, visits to Kegon Waterfall and Chuzenji Lake. The duration of the tour is 9-10 hours, and prices range from €100 to €130, depending on additional activities.

Just an hour by train from Tokyo, Kamakura is an ideal destination for a day trip. This ancient capital of Japan is home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a bronze statue over 13 meters high, as well as impressive temples such as the Hasedera and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

The tour may include a stroll along the charming Komachi-dori shopping street, where you can sample Japanese sweets and local handicrafts. The tour usually lasts about 8 hours, with prices ranging from €50 to €100, depending on whether it includes a guide and private transportation.

Just 30 minutes by train, Yokohama is one of Japan's most modern and vibrant cities. Excursions usually include a visit to Chinatown, the largest in Japan, and the Landmark Tower observation deck, from where you get a breathtaking panoramic view.

Another point of interest is the Ramen Museum, where you can sample different varieties of this iconic dish. The duration of the tour is 5-7 hours, with prices ranging from 40-80 €, depending on the activities included.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, a trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go will transport you to rural Japan. Shirakawa-go is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri houses, with thatched roofs designed to withstand snowfall.

These tours usually last all day, including transportation by bus or bullet train. Prices range from €150 to €200, depending on the tour and meals included.

If you are traveling in spring or autumn, a trip to Hitachi Seaside Park is an unforgettable experience. This park, located two hours by train from Tokyo, is famous for its colorful flower fields, such as blue nemophilas in April or red kochia in autumn.

The tour usually includes transportation and free time to stroll through the gardens. The duration is 7-8 hours, with prices around 50-90 €, depending on the type of transport.

Kawagoe, just an hour away by train, is known as Little Edo for preserving the traditional architecture of the Edo period. On this tour, you can wander its streets full of old warehouses, visit the Hikawa Shrine and taste Japanese sweets in Candy Alley.

The tour usually lasts about 6-7 hours, with prices between 40 and 80 €, depending on whether it includes a guide and additional activities.