日帰り · Day Trips from Tokyo

Best Day Trips from Tokyo: Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone & More

Mountain shrines, hot springs, and the Great Buddha — all within 90 minutes of Tokyo Station

NikkoKamakuraHakoneDay trips

Kamakura

The Great Buddha, coastal temples & hiking trails

⏱ 1 hour from Tokyo 🚃 JR Yokosuka Line from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station 💴 ~¥940 each way ⭐ Best for: first-time visitors

Kamakura was Japan's de facto capital in the 12th–14th centuries, and the town still feels saturated with history. The 13.35-meter bronze Kotoku-in Buddha (Great Buddha) is one of Japan's most iconic images — and the second-largest in the country. Entry to the statue grounds costs ¥300; you can walk inside the hollow Buddha for an extra ¥20.

What to see

• Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) — The centerpiece of any Kamakura visit. Allow 45 minutes. Reach it by bus from Kamakura Station (¥200) or a 25-minute walk.
• Hase-dera Temple — A short walk from the Great Buddha, this hillside temple has beautiful gardens, sea views, and a collection of small Jizo statues. Admission ¥400.
• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine — Kamakura's main shrine, at the end of the Wakamiya Oji avenue from the sea. Free entry. The surrounding pond gardens are particularly beautiful in late June (lotus) and autumn.
• Komachi-dori shopping street — The pedestrian street from Kamakura Station to the shrine is lined with small cafes, craft shops, and food stalls. Good for lunch and a browse.
• Daibutsu Hiking Course — A 2-hour hiking trail linking Kamakura's northern temples through wooded hills. Good footwear recommended.

Kamakura tip The Enoden Railway (a charming narrow-gauge line, ¥260 for a day pass) connects Kamakura Station to Hase (for the Great Buddha), Enoshima Island, and Fujisawa. A day pass makes the coastal route easy to explore.

Nikko

The most elaborately decorated shrine complex in Japan

⏱ 1.5–2 hours from Tokyo 🚃 Tobu Nikko Line from Asakusa (limited express ¥2,780) or JR + Tobu 💴 ¥2,780 each way (Tobu limited express) ⭐ Best for: history and architecture lovers

Nikko was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for its extraordinary complex of shrines and temples in a mountain forest setting. The centerpiece is Tosho-gu, the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate — a building of almost hallucinatory decorative richness, covered in gilded carvings, painted panels, and intricate lacquerwork. Nothing else in Japan quite looks like it.

What to see

• Tosho-gu Shrine — Buy the combination ticket (¥1,300) that covers the main shrine, the inner precinct (Oku-no-in), and adjacent temples. The carved Sleeping Cat (Nemuri-neko) above one of the gates is a famous Nikko image. Allow 2+ hours.
• Rinno-ji Temple — Separate from the Tosho-gu complex (admission ¥400–900), with a striking hall of three giant gilded Buddha statues.
• Futarasan Jinja — A quieter, older shrine within the same forest complex. Included in the combination ticket.
• Shinkyo Bridge — The elegant red arched bridge at the entrance to Nikko's sacred precincts. Cross it for ¥300, or photograph it from the road for free.
• Kegon Falls — A 97-meter waterfall 15 minutes from Nikko center by bus. One of Japan's three great waterfalls. ¥570 for the elevator to the viewing platform.

Nikko tip The Tobu "World Heritage Pass" (¥4,780 from Asakusa, ¥3,280 from Tobu-Nikko) includes round-trip train fare, unlimited bus travel in Nikko, and entry discounts. Worth it if you're spending a full day.

Hakone

Mt. Fuji views, volcanic hot springs, and a scenic round trip

⏱ 1.5 hours from Tokyo 🚃 Romancecar from Shinjuku (¥2,470) or JR to Odawara then Hakone Tozan Line 💴 ¥2,470–3,000 each way ⭐ Best for: scenery and onsen

Hakone sits in the caldera of an ancient volcano, and on clear days the view of Mt. Fuji from across Lake Ashi is one of Japan's great sights — the symmetrical cone reflected in the lake, framed by cedar trees. The town is also famous for its onsen (hot spring baths), with the volcanic activity that shaped the landscape still evident at Owakudani, where sulfurous vents bubble and the famous black eggs are cooked.

The Hakone round trip

The ideal way to experience Hakone is the round trip: mountain railway (Hakone Tozan Railway) → cable car (ropeway) → Lake Ashi boat → bus back. Each leg is different and spectacular. The Hakone Free Pass (¥6,100 from Shinjuku) covers all transport within the Hakone area for 2 days — easily worth it.

What to see

• Owakudani — Volcanic hot springs and steam vents in an alien landscape. The black eggs (kuro-tamago) cooked here are said to add 7 years to your life (¥600 for 5 eggs). Reached by ropeway from Sounzan.
• Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) — Cruise on the lake for Mt. Fuji views on clear days. The iconic shot of a red torii gate rising from the water is at Hakone Shrine, reachable from the Moto-Hakone pier.
• Hakone Open Air Museum — An extraordinary sculpture park with works by Picasso, Rodin, Moore, and others in a mountain setting. Admission ¥1,600. One of Japan's best art museums.
• Onsen — Hakone has dozens of traditional ryokan and public baths. Tenzan Tohji-kyo (¥1,300) and Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (¥2,500) are popular options for visitors without ryokan reservations.

Yokohama

Chinatown, harbor views, and Japan's second-largest city

⏱ 25–45 minutes from Tokyo 🚃 JR Tokaido or Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station 💴 ¥470–580 each way ⭐ Best for: food and urban atmosphere

Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city and feels distinctly different from Tokyo — more cosmopolitan, more open to the sea, with a European-influenced waterfront that reflects its history as one of Japan's first treaty ports in the 1850s. It's easy to reach and easy to enjoy for a half or full day.

What to see

• Chinatown (中華街) — Japan's largest Chinatown, with over 600 restaurants and shops. The pork buns (nikuman) sold at storefronts are famous. Best at lunch when the restaurants are full.
• Minato Mirai 21 — Yokohama's modern waterfront district, with the landmark Landmark Tower (observation deck ¥1,000), Cosmo World amusement park, and a shopping complex. Beautiful at night.
• Yamashita Park and harbor — A waterfront park with views across the harbor, the retired ocean liner Hikawa Maru, and a gentle promenade.
• Sankeien Garden — A traditional Japanese garden with historic buildings relocated from across Japan. Admission ¥900. Particularly beautiful in spring and autumn.

Lake Kawaguchiko (Fuji Five Lakes)

The closest point to Mt. Fuji for visitors from Tokyo

⏱ 1.5–2 hours from Tokyo 🚌 Highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (¥1,800 each way) 💴 ¥1,800 each way ⭐ Best for: Mt. Fuji views and climbing base

Lake Kawaguchiko is the most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes and offers the classic postcard view of Mt. Fuji reflected in the water. On clear days (most common in autumn and winter, rarest in summer when Fuji is often cloud-covered), the view is breathtaking.

What to see

• Chureito Pagoda — A five-story pagoda on a hilltop with Mt. Fuji behind it — one of the most photographed images in Japan. Climb 398 steps for the view. Free. Spectacular during cherry blossom season (early April).
• Mt. Fuji climbing (July–September) — Kawaguchiko is the start of the Yoshida Trail, the most popular route to the summit. The climb takes 5–8 hours up and 3–5 hours down. Only experienced hikers should attempt this.
• Lake cruise — A 20-minute sightseeing boat ride across the lake offers excellent Fuji views. ¥1,000.
• Oshino Hakkai — Eight spring-fed ponds fed by snowmelt from Mt. Fuji, 15 minutes by bus from Kawaguchiko. Crystal clear water and a beautiful rural setting. Free to explore the village.

Planning Tips for Day Trips

Leave early

Day trips work best when you leave Tokyo by 8–9 AM. This gives you 6–7 hours at your destination before heading back, and you'll arrive before the main crowds at popular sites.

Book limited express seats in advance

For Nikko (Tobu Spacia) and Hakone (Romancecar), reserved seating on the limited express trains is worth booking ahead — especially on weekends and holidays. The additional express supplement is typically ¥1,000–1,500 on top of the base fare.

Check the weather for Mt. Fuji destinations

Mt. Fuji is frequently hidden by clouds, especially from May through August. Check the forecast the night before — clear days are most common in October–February. If you specifically want to see Fuji, have a flexible itinerary.

IC card vs. special passes

For Yokohama, your regular Suica or Pasmo IC card works perfectly. For Nikko, Hakone, and Kawaguchiko, the destination-specific day passes almost always offer better value than paying individual fares.

Return timing

Avoid the last train back — if you miss it, you're stranded. For day trips, aim to leave your destination by 5–6 PM to avoid both the rush-hour crush and the risk of missing the last service.

Pick Your Side Trip

For a single mountain day, see our Mt. Fuji Day Trip guide. For a longer break, our Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary includes a side-trip option on day three.