Tokyo's hinterland is the best in the world for a day out by train. Pick by what you want to see.
The list#
| Trip | Time from Tokyo | For | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hakone | ~1.5h (Romancecar from Shinjuku) | Fuji, onsen, the loop | Autumn, winter for Fuji |
| Nikko | ~2h (Tobu from Asakusa) | Toshogu shrines, waterfalls, lake | Autumn leaves, snow |
| Kamakura | ~1h (JR) | Temples, Great Buddha, the sea | Any; hydrangeas in June |
| Fuji Five Lakes | ~2h (bus or train to Kawaguchiko) | The mountain itself | Winter, spring |
| Yokohama | ~30 min | Chinatown, harbour, an evening | Any |
| Kawagoe | ~1h (Tobu or Seibu) | Old Edo streets, sweets | October festival |
| Enoshima | ~1.5h | An island, a shrine, the beach | Summer |
| Mount Takao | ~1h (Keio) | A hike with a view | Autumn |
The two big ones#
Hakone: the Hakone Free Pass, the loop (railway, cable car, ropeway over the volcanic valley, pirate ship across Lake Ashi), Fuji if it's clear, an onsen before the train home. Nikko: Toshogu's gold and carvings, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, a long but standard day.
The easy one#
Kamakura: Hase-dera and the Great Buddha, a walk to Kita-Kamakura's zen temples, the Enoden tram along the coast to Enoshima if you have the afternoon. Half a day works.
Fuji itself#
Kawaguchiko: the lake, the Chureito Pagoda view, the ropeway. Go on a day the forecast says clear; the mountain hides in cloud more than half the year, least in winter mornings.
Going further#
Tokyo to Kyoto is two and a quarter hours by shinkansen and a different trip, not a day trip. Is the JR Pass worth it? for when you leave Tokyo properly.
In the plan#
Day five of the 7-day itinerary; the optional day in the 5-day one. Things to do in Tokyo for the city days.
With someone from here#
A Tokyoite will tell you which weekday Nikko is empty and which Hakone onsen takes walk-ins. Post your dates on Roavi Community and ask; Local Friends reply. Some will come along: rent a Local Friend in Tokyo.
Which day trip? Ask someone from Tokyo before you choose.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best day trip from Tokyo?
Hakone for most people: Fuji views on a clear day, an onsen, and the railway-cablecar-ropeway-boat loop in one day. Nikko if shrines and nature beat Fuji for you. Kamakura if you only have half a day.Can you do Mount Fuji as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes, to see it: Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko, about two hours by direct bus or train) on a clear day, ideally in winter or early morning. Climbing it is an overnight affair in July and August.Which day trips from Tokyo are good in winter?
Hakone and Kawaguchiko, when Fuji is clearest; Nikko in snow; Kamakura, which is mild. Winter skies are the clearest of the year for the mountain.Do I need a JR Pass for day trips from Tokyo?
No. Hakone and Nikko are on private railways with their own day passes (Hakone Free Pass, Nikko passes); Kamakura, Yokohama and Takao are short JR or private rides covered by a Suica. The JR Pass only helps for shinkansen trips.
