Tokyo is an incredible city to visit, and there are more than enough attractions here to keep you occupied for your entire trip. However, thanks to the convenient public transport system, there are also a wealth of other amazing destinations within easy reach. For those who want to explore more of Japan, taking a few day trips from Tokyo is a must during your stay. Not sure where to begin? Read on to find out about 10 of the best one-day trips from Tokyo – and the most delicious local culinary delicacies to try when you’re there!
10 Best One Day Trips from Tokyo
Here are 10 of the top day trips from Tokyo to spark your wanderlust:
- Enoshima
- Kamakura
- Kawagoe
- Tokyo Disneyland
- Tokyo DisneySea
- Yokohama
- Odawara
- Hakone
- Nikko
- Mount Takao
1. Enoshima
The island of Enoshima is one of the best places to visit in Japan if you're looking for a summertime day trip from Tokyo, thanks to its gorgeous beaches and close proximity to the city. As well as the beaches, there are shrines, gardens, caves, and an observation tower to explore.
When you get peckish, tuck into some of the delicious fresh seafood on offer – crispy and salty tako senbei octopus crackers, juicy grilled hotate (scallops) skewers, and a multitude of interesting dishes made with freshly-caught shirasu (whitebait fish).
But that's not all! Find out what else to eat in Enoshima.
How to get to Enoshima: From Tokyo Station, you can take the Ueno-Tokyo Line (the line will switch to the Tokaido Line, so stay on board) to Fujisawa Station, then transfer to the Enoshima Line and get off at Katase Enoshima (total journey time is around 80 minutes).
2. Kamakura
As a coastal town, Kamakura is another one of the top places to visit in Japan during summer. In addition to sandy beaches, there are many fascinating temples and shrines to visit, including the iconic Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu) which stands over 11 meters tall.
Stop by some of the bustling street food stalls while you sightsee to sample deep-fried fishcakes, juicy and chewy shrimp dumplings, or soft and fluffy age-pan fried bread dusted with nutty-tasting kinako (roasted soybean powder). Top things off with a pancake-style filled dessert shaped like the Great Buddha statue!
Check out our post Where to Eat in Kamakura for restaurant suggestions.
How to get to Kamakura: You can take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station, or the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station, directly to Kamakura Station. Both journeys take about an hour.
3. Kawagoe
The nostalgic town of Kawagoe is a great choice for day trips from Tokyo if you have an interest in Japanese history. The preserved architecture and interesting shrines make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to Edo-era Japan, especially when you hear the towering Toki no Kane bell chime through the streets.
Be sure to check out Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley), where you can taste authentic treats as well as gigantic sweet potato breadsticks. For a more substantial meal, try unique sweet potato udon noodles which are colored a vibrant purple.
How to get to Kawagoe: You can take the JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line from Shinjuku Station to Kawagoe in about 55 minutes, or the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line in about 45 minutes.
4. Tokyo Disneyland
One of the most magical day trips from Tokyo is of course an excursion to Disneyland. With seven themed worlds to discover, all packed with rides, games, and attractions, it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family.
There are plenty of Instagrammable treats to enjoy while you’re there too, including melon pan in the form of Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. and cool mochi rice cakes stamped with the image of a Storm Trooper from Star Wars!
For an overview of our top 10 Disneyland eats, check out our post on what to eat in Tokyo Disneyland!
How to get to Tokyo Disneyland: You can take the JR Keiyo Line or JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station in about 15 minutes from Tokyo Station.
5. Tokyo DisneySea
Aimed at more of an older crowd in comparison to Disneyland, DisneySea has seven different ports all themed around the ocean and bursting with exciting rides and attractions. This theme extends to the food too, with shrimp buns shaped like life preservers, churros with a white and orange striped pattern like Nemo’s, and refreshing deep-sea pineapple smoothies that are a gorgeous blue color to perfectly suit a nautical-themed day trip from Tokyo!
We cover 6 more must-eat foods in our guide to the yummiest dishes at Tokyo DisneySea!
How to get to Tokyo DisneySea: You can take the JR Keiyo Line or JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station in about 15 minutes. Then the Disney Resort Line will transfer you to DisneySea in about 10 more minutes.
6. Yokohama
Yokohama is one of the most popular cities near Tokyo, and ideal for shopping, strolling around galleries and gardens, or tasting your way through the scrumptious Cup Noodles Museum.
It’s also home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, which is a wonderful place to sample some street food. Highlights include baked Taiwanese black pepper buns, which are crunchy on the outside and super soft on the inside, piping hot fried sesame balls filled with smooth red bean paste, and subtly-sweet Hong Kong style egg tarts wrapped in light and flaky puff pastry.
Check out our full Yokohama Chinatown Street Food Guide for more recommendations!
How to get to Yokohama: You can take the Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya Station to Yokohama Station in about 25 minutes.
7. Odawara
Odawara is a charming town, and a great choice for an easy day trip from Tokyo because it’s home to the capital’s nearest castle keep. Odawara Castle is a majestic, multi-tiered white building filled with interesting exhibits and offering spectacular views over the surrounding park and wider city.
Once you’ve finished exploring, be sure to sample some locally-sourced unagi (eel) cooked in Odawara’s top-quality spring water, or the town’s famous kamaboko steamed fishcakes.
Looking for restaurant recommendations? Check out our post, Where to Eat in Odawara!
How to get to Odawara: You can take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station directly to Odawara Station in about half an hour. For a cheaper but slower journey, take the JR Tokaido Main Line or JR Shonan Shinjuku Line.
8. Hakone
As one of the region’s most famous onsen (hot springs) towns, a Hakone day trip is a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo city. Enjoy a boat ride across the idyllic blue waters of Lake Ashi, and ride the Hakone Ropeway up to the sulphurous crater of Owakudani.
Here, you can sample eggs that are hard-boiled in the hot spring water, which turn jet black due to the minerals, and are said to extend your life by seven years! Follow yours up with a soft manju bun that’s filled with sweet red bean paste and steamed in the onsen hot springs.
Find out about other must-eats at this relaxing day trip spot in What to Eat in Hakone: The Onsen Getaway Town.
How to get to Hakone from Tokyo: You can take the Odakyu Railway limited express Romancecar from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Hakone Yumoto Station in about 95 minutes.
9. Nikko
Thanks to the town’s stunning natural scenery and lavish shrines such as Toshogu Shrine, a Nikko day trip is an absolute must. The Nikko National Park offers a wealth of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls for hikers to explore, and is especially picturesque in the fall.
When you need to refuel, tuck into soba noodles made with local buckwheat and water from nearby mountain streams. The area’s other specialty is yuba (tofu skin) – try ageyuba manju, where yuba is wrapped around red bean paste and then fried to create a delicious sweet treat.
For restaurant suggestions in the area, look no further than our Where to Eat in Nikko guide!
How to get to Nikko: From Tokyo Station, you can walk 4 minutes to Nijubashi Station and take the Chiyoda Line to Kitasenju Station, then transfer to the Nikko-Kinugawa Line and get off at Shimo-Imaichi Station (approx. 2 hours).
10. Mount Takao
There are plenty of cities near Tokyo, however, for day trips from Tokyo that are a bit more nature-focused, Mount Takao is an excellent destination. There are several scenic hiking trails that lead to the summit, plus a cablecar and chairlift that take you to an observation deck halfway up. Yakuoin Temple on the Omotesando trail is one of the most impressive sights you’ll pass as you climb, plus of course the breathtaking views from the peak.
Replenish the calories you burn whilst hiking by tucking into tororo soba, a hearty noodle dish topped with grated yam.
How to get to Mount Takao: You can take the Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Takao Station in about 60 minutes.
As you can see, there are plenty of easy day trips from Tokyo that enable you to explore historic towns, beautiful natural scenery, and, of course, delicious local food. Be sure to try and include at least one of these destinations on your next trip to Japan, so that you can discover even more of what this amazing country has to offer!
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