The Top Day Trip Destinations From Tokyo, As Recommended By Travel Guides

I thought my husband was crazy when he suggested we rent a car for our honeymoon in Japan. I had flashbacks of my friend, a London transplant, forgetting which side of the road to stay on mid-drive while in the States. But it was too tempting to know we could explore small towns off the beaten path if we had a rental car. After paying a $20 fee, getting a $10 photo taken, and submitting an online application, I was surprised at how easy it was to get an international driver’s permit. These permits allow tourists to rent a car in 150 countries for six months after they’re issued. Once we got the permits, we reserved the car in Japan while still in the United States and picked it up at the airport after landing overseas.

Sure, there were more than a few times I accidentally turned the windshield wipers on instead of the left turn signal. But otherwise, driving on the other side of the road while navigating Japan didn’t feel that different from driving at home. If you can handle it — and I bet you can — then check out the best places for a day trip if you’re staying in Tokyo, according to firsthand experience and travel guides. These destinations are within a two-hour drive of the capital, and they’re chock-full of interesting features, from seemingly endless fields of colorful flowers to towering Buddhas.

If it wasn’t for Yokohama, you might not even be going to Japan. That’s because Yokohama, the second-biggest city in the country, was how Japan opened itself to international visitors and trade nearly two centuries ago. Today, it maintains a mix of its storied past and fusion culture, and it’s just as fabulous as Tokyo. It’s also beloved by Tokyo tourists, as it’s just a 40-minute drive away or a 1-hour-and-4-minute ride on the train. Taking Tokyo trains? Don’t miss the busy train station known as “a gateway to Tokyo.”

Chinese immigrants were one of the most populous communities to find a home in Yokohama, and these days, the city’s Chinatown continues to thrive. Surrounding the neighborhood are four ornate Chinese gates, which house more than 600 local restaurants, grocery stores, and shops. Although you should definitely sample some Chinese delicacies here, save some of your appetite for the Cup Noodles Museum. This instant ramen haven is a massive five-floor museum that allows visitors to learn about the beloved brand and even design their own cup. For a ritzier look at Yokohama, visit The Bluff, where the first European and American settlers in the city lived. In this gated neighborhood, you can see stunning houses where the most prominent new arrivals to Yokohama planted their new roots.

Formerly the political capital of the country, Kamakura is now an epicenter of temples and the home of the second-biggest sitting Buddha in Japan. And as one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo, it’s just a 1-hour-and-five-minute drive away. Visitors can also reach it in 1 hour and 38 minutes by train. The most important thing to do in Kamakura is to check out Amida Buddha in Kotoku-in Temple, which dates back to the 1200s. The bronze Buddha stands at a whopping 43 feet tall and weighs 186,000 pounds. 

Next, it’s imperative to check out some of Kamakura’s other famed temples; good luck choosing which of the city’s many to visit. One of the most notable is Tōkeiji Temple, which used to be nicknamed the “Divorce Temple.” Now a monastery, the temple surrounded by gardens was a respite for women hiding from abusive spouses. For six centuries, it was just one of two temples in the country to house the women.

Another significant temple in Kamakura is Hasedera Temple, which is surrounded by trees and houses the tallest wood statue in the country. With 11 heads and stretching 30 feet high, the Kannon Goddess of Mercy was made using the same tree as another statue of the goddess in Nara. The temple also has a museum, as well as great views of the grounds and city. The grounds include a garden with ponds and statues of goddesses.

From hot springs to natural beauty to Mt. Fuji views, Hakone has many of the highlights of this list all in one destination. It’s a 1-hour-and-15-minute drive from Tokyo or a 2-hour-and-11-minute journey by train. One of the must-do activities in Hakone is to take the Hakone Ropeway cable car to the Owakudani volcanic valley. On your 10-minute cable car ride, depending on the weather, you might see Mt. Fuji and get a panoramic view of the mountains beneath you. 

After arriving in Owakudani, you’ll see the strength of a 3,000-year-old volcano that we also have to thank for Hakone’s hot springs. Here, you can get a front-row seat to the smoke rising from the volcano and even taste a black egg. The chicken eggs here are cooked in the hot springs and turn black from the volcano’s sulfur. Supposedly, eating one (it tastes like a regular hard-boiled egg) will add seven years to your life.

Many visitors pair their trip to Owakudani with a leisurely 25-minute boat ride across Lake Ashi. Upon an ornate ship inspired by European battleships, visitors can see the pristine lake, lush foliage of the area, red torii gates, and Mt. Fuji. And of course, you have to finish your trip to Hakone with a visit to an onsen. One of the most popular ones is Hakone Yuryo, which has private rooms that can be booked for periods as short as two hours.

Arakurayama Sengen Park, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from Tokyo, has tons of Japanese icons in one free park on Mt. Arakura. From here, visitors can see Mt. Fuji in the distance, an archway dating back to the 800s, a pagoda, and cherry blossom trees. Visitors can also reach the park by train on a 2-hour-and-37-minute journey. 

The highlight of the park to many is the view of Mt. Fuji, as the mountain is the tallest in the country and is a Japanese icon. The observation deck at Arakurayama Sengen Park is one of the best spots to see it in all its glory. The view changes vastly depending on the time of day and season, and the park is open 24/7. If you visit Arakurayama Sengen Park in March or April, your view of Mt. Fuji will be framed by pink blooms from 650 Yoshino cherry blossom trees. A cherry blossom festival is also held here every March.

There’s also tons of history to experience at Arakurayama Sengen Park. It’s home to an archway called Arakura Fuji Sengen Jinja-Shrine Torii that dates back to the 800s after Mt. Fuji erupted. Additionally, visitors who are able to hike nearly 400 steps can see the Chureito Pagoda here. The pagoda is a memorial that honors those who died during the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and the Pacific War.

Tokyo is a modern, bustling metropolis. But just an hour-and-a-half drive away is Chichibu, a natural paradise with a river, mountains, and foliage. The city has immense spiritual significance. Chichibu can be reached by train in as little as 2 hours and 12 minutes. One of the best ways to see Mother Nature’s beauty in Chichibu is by heading to the Arakawa River, where tourists can raft, kayak, fish, or picnic. It’s also known as the Ara River. 

Not far from there is Hitsujiyama Park, a floral park that reaches its most colorful peak during spring. Thousands of people visit every year to see pink, purple, and white moss phlox, or shibazakura. The best time to see the phlox is during the Shibazakura Festival from April to May. Chichibu Geopark features a different type of environmental wonder: rocks. Within this park, visitors will see limestone caves, river gorges, and age-old rock layers. To see all of Chichibu’s wild charm at once, book a seat on the Chichibu Railway, which winds from Hanyu to Mitsumineguchi.

Tons of hikes are also throughout Chichibu, like the Mitsumine Shrine Trail that leads to the Mitsumine Shrine. That’s far from the only spiritual destination in Chichibu. The city is a spiritual epicenter of Japan that’s home to several meaningful sites, including Chichibu Shrine. At 2,000 years old and made in a Shinto style, it’s one of the most storied shrines in the region.

Takasaki has plenty of quirky claims to fame, making it the perfect spot for tourists looking for something different when escaping Tokyo for the day. And being that it’s only an hour-and-a-half drive from Tokyo, it’s also an accessible spot. Visitors can also reach it on the train in two hours and two minutes. If you’re using public transportation throughout your trip, remember the crucial detail many tourists probably don’t know about Tokyo’s train stations. Takasaki is most well-known for being the biggest manufacturer of daruma dolls, which are egg-shaped papier-mâché Japanese tokens of good luck. One of the best places in Takasaki to learn about them is the Shorinzan Darumaji Temple, which has the dolls on display. Or, learn about how they’re made and decorate your own at Daimonya Co., Ltd.

You also won’t miss the food culture of Tokyo if you visit Takasaki for the day. Takasaki loves its food — especially pasta — and it’s known as the “pasta town” of the country. It has the most pasta eateries per capita in Japan and even has a pasta competition every November. Walk all that pasta off by trekking 146 steps up to the Byakue Kannon statue, a 137-foot-high icon that’s one of the biggest of its type in Japan.

Atami’s name translates to “hot sea,” and those two words define the city. It’s on Sagami Bay, a 1-hour-and-40-minute drive from Tokyo. Atami is known for its natural hot springs or onsens. Visitors can also reach Atami from Tokyo in two hours and five minutes by train. One of the most famous hot springs here, Atami Onsen, has been used since the 700s. It’s been enjoyed by everyone from famous literary figures to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shōgun. It’s also one of the longest-used springs in the country at 1,300 years old. For hot springs with a view, take a 30-minute ferry ride from Atami Harbor to the island of Hatsushima. Here, open-air hot springs are surrounded by all-encompassing Sagami Bay views.

If you’re looking for water that is a few degrees cooler, then head to Sagami Bay. The bay has plenty of beaches, including Atami Sun Beach, which is ideal for sunbathing or swimming. Atami has other natural wonders, too. In Atami Umezono Plum Park, 472 pink-and-white plum trees bloom every November, and a 3-month-long festival celebrates them. More blooms can be seen at the Akao Herb and Rose Garden, which features international herbs and roses throughout a dozen gardens. Atami also has another claim to fame that is perfect for film buffs. Its Atami Castle was featured in “Godzilla,” and it can be climbed for amazing views of the city.

In Tokyo, the skyline is dominated by modern buildings, but in the otherworldly paradise of Nikko, mountains, waterfalls, and trees rise over tourists. With so many pristine landscapes, it’s no wonder Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Visitors can see it all by driving just 1 hour and 50 minutes from Tokyo or taking a little over a 2-hour-train ride. 

Many of Nikko’s highlights are nestled in Nikko National Park. Those include Lake Chuzenji, which is Japan’s highest-elevation lake. Visitors can venture across it on a ferry. They can also tackle what’s been nicknamed the Mt. Fuji of Nikko National Park — Mount Nantai. As the tallest mountain in the park, it can be a day trip on its own, as a hike to the top and back down will take about six hours. However, there’s a reason why underrated Nikko is perfect for waterfall-loving hikers. It’s home to Kegon Falls, which is the destination’s most renowned draw. Visitors can shell out $4 to see the waterfalls from an observation point or get a jaw-dropping view from a free spot. 

Cherry blossoms aren’t the only iconic Japanese flowers you can check out in the Land of the Rising Sun. Hitachi Seaside Park is known for its blue nemophila flowers that spring to life in April and May, and it’s a 1-hour-and-50-minute drive from Tokyo. The 865-acre park can also be reached via train in 3 hours and 37 minutes. During the height of the nemophila season, more than 5 million flowers flourish across Miharashi Hill in the park. The park celebrates the season with nemophila-themed blue fare like ice cream, tea, ramen, cookies, macarons, and more. However, if you’re coming here to see the famous nemophila, get here early, as the park gets crowded, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

Even if your visit to Tokyo isn’t during April or May, Hitachi Seaside Park is still worth a day trip, as there’s always something in bloom here. More than 3,000 summer cypress bushes turn red in October, narcissus blooms in March, and Japanese plum trees turn yellow and pink in winter. Plus, sunflowers, poppies, roses, and zinnias hit their peak in summer. Once you’re done photographing Hitachi Seaside Park’s Instagram-worthy florals, you can check out its many other attractions. An amusement park with 25 rides is here, which includes rides like a Ferris wheel and roller coaster, as well as a miniature golf course. Or, to see more natural beauty, hike the Hitachinaka Nature Forest in the park or meander the Dune Observation Walkway.

If you visit Tokyo in the summer, don’t forget your hat and sunscreen — the city can reach a humid 93 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you can flee the heat for a day like Tokyo residents have been doing for generations in the mountain town of Karuizawa. Even in August, the hottest month of the year in Japan, the average temperature is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Better yet, Karuizawa is just a 2-hour drive from Tokyo or a 2-hour-and-52-minute ride on the train. 

Located at the base of Mount Asama, skiing and snowboarding for those of all abilities are popular in Karuizawa during winter. During the warmer months, the destination’s picturesque landscapes are also on display. That’s especially true at Kumoba Pond, which is also called Swan Lake. It’s a relaxing place to stop to see its glass-like surface and surrounding lush foliage. You can also relish in the sights of Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa, which are 65-foot-high waterfalls that stretch 500 feet across.

Once you’re done soaking in the breathtaking beauty of Karuizawa, indulge in retail therapy and delicious eats. The town’s Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street is a bustling hub of trendy international restaurants and chic shops hawking everything from souvenirs to couture. Another great shopping destination here is Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza on the Prince Grand Resort Karuizawa ski and event resort property. The 240-store outlet mall is nestled on Mt. Asama, so you can get a deal and spectacular views.

With everything from 24/7-lit streets to side alleys housing exotic food carts, Tokyo is a must-visit for Japan. Clean yet flooded with personality, the capital and largest city in the country is where many tourists set up shop during their visits. (Check out the best things to do in Tokyo for first-time visitors.) As tempting as it is to stay there for your entire trip, you’ll do Japan and yourself a disservice in doing so. Within just two hours of Tokyo is a smorgasbord of unique, otherworldly destinations. These range from a volcanic valley with postcard-worthy views of Mt. Fuji to a seaside town with beautiful beaches and hot springs.

Explore rounded up the best spots for a day trip if you’re based in Tokyo by combing through countless travel guides and blogs. These guides and blogs were written by visitors like you, as well as Japanese officials and travel journalists. We evaluated the many destinations outside of Tokyo by first ensuring they were within just a two-hour drive of the city. This makes for a day trip that will have you back in your hotel bed at a reasonable hour (well, if you want to be). Then, we determined which places had truly one-of-a-kind features, like Karuizawa’s ski slopes and resort vibe and Hitachi Seaside Park’s acres of blue flowers. We also weighed which towns had the most things to do so you wouldn’t be bored for a moment.