Day Trips from Tokyo
Complete guide to day trips from Tokyo — Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, Kawaguchiko, and Yokohama. Travel times, costs, and what to see.
Quick links
Tokyo is incredible, but some of Japan’s most jaw-dropping scenery is just 1–2 hours away by train. Ancient temples in Kamakura, hot springs in Hakone, Mount Fuji views from Kawaguchiko, ornate shrines in Nikko, and Chinatown vibes in Yokohama — all doable as a day trip and back by dinner.
Best for: Travelers with 5+ days in Tokyo who want a change of pace without switching hotels.
Five escapes from Tokyo
Day Trip Comparison
| Destination | From Tokyo | Cost (one-way) | JR Pass? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamakura | ~60 min (JR Yokosuka Line) | ¥940 | ✅ Yes | Great Buddha, temples, beach town |
| Nikko | ~2h (JR + Tobu) | ¥2,800 (Tobu direct) / ¥5,500 (Shinkansen+local) | ⚠️ Partial | Toshogu Shrine, nature, waterfalls |
| Hakone | ~85 min (Odakyu Romance Car) | ¥2,330 (Romance Car) | ❌ No (Odakyu) | Hot springs, Fuji views, lake cruise |
| Kawaguchiko | ~2h (JR Chuo + Fuji Excursion) | ¥2,500–¥4,130 | ⚠️ Partial | Mount Fuji up close, lakeside walks |
| Yokohama | ~30 min (JR Tokaido or Yokosuka) | ¥480 | ✅ Yes | Chinatown, waterfront, Cup Noodles Museum |
Great Buddha and beaches
1. Kamakura 🏯
Getting There
- JR Yokosuka Line: Tokyo/Shinagawa → Kamakura (~60 min, ¥940)
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line: Shinjuku/Shibuya → Kamakura (~60 min, ¥940)
- Enoden Line: Kamakura ↔ Enoshima (local tram, scenic coast, ¥310)
Top Spots
- Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) — 13m bronze statue, iconic Japan photo
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Grand shrine, 5 min walk from station
- Hokokuji (Bamboo Temple) — Stunning bamboo grove, matcha tea
- Komachi-dori — Shopping street from station to shrine
- Enoshima Island — Sea caves, shrine, ocean views (add 30 min)
Recommended Pass
Kamakura-Enoshima Pass (¥780) — Unlimited Enoden rides + some bus routes. Buy at Kamakura Station.
Ornate shrines, waterfalls
2. Nikko ⛩️
Getting There
- Tobu Railway: Asakusa → Tobu-Nikko (~2h express, ¥2,800 reserved)
- JR Shinkansen + local: Tokyo → Utsunomiya (50 min) → JR Nikko (45 min), total ~¥5,500
- JR Pass tip: Take Shinkansen to Utsunomiya (covered), then local JR line to Nikko (covered). Saves the Tobu fare.
Top Spots
- Toshogu Shrine — UNESCO World Heritage, incredibly ornate
- Shinkyo Bridge — Sacred vermilion bridge over the Daiya River
- Kegon Falls — 97m waterfall (take Chuzenji bus, ~50 min from station)
- Lake Chuzenji — Mountain lake with autumn foliage
- Rinnoji Temple — Large Buddhist temple complex
Recommended Pass
Nikko All-Area Pass (Tobu, ¥4,780/2 days) — Round trip from Asakusa + unlimited bus in Nikko area.
Hot springs and Fuji views
3. Hakone ♨️
Getting There
- Odakyu Romance Car: Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto (~85 min, ¥2,330)
- Odakyu Express: Shinjuku → Odawara (~90 min, ¥900) then Hakone Tozan Railway
- JR + transfer: Tokyo → Odawara by JR Tokaido (¥1,520) or Shinkansen (¥3,280), then local
The Hakone Loop
The classic one-day circuit (all covered by Hakone Free Pass):
Hakone-Yumoto → Tozan Railway → Gora → Cable Car → Sounzan → Ropeway → Owakudani → Ropeway → Togendai → Pirate Ship → Moto-Hakone → Bus → Hakone-Yumoto
Top Spots
- Owakudani — Volcanic valley, sulfur vents, black eggs
- Lake Ashi pirate ship — Mt. Fuji views on clear days
- Hakone Shrine — Red torii gate on the lake
- Open Air Museum — Sculptures + Picasso collection
- Onsen — Day-use hot springs throughout the area
Recommended Pass
Hakone Free Pass (¥6,100 from Shinjuku / 2 days) — Round trip Odakyu + ALL Hakone transport (trains, bus, ropeway, ship).
Mount Fuji up close
4. Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) 🗻
Getting There
- JR Chuo Line → Fuji Excursion: Shinjuku → Kawaguchiko (direct, ~2h, ¥4,130 reserved)
- Highway bus: Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal → Kawaguchiko (~2h, ¥2,200)
- JR Pass tip: Fuji Excursion from Shinjuku is partially covered (JR portion). Pay the Fuji Kyuko supplement (~¥1,170).
Top Spots
- Chureito Pagoda — The iconic Fuji + pagoda photo (15 min by train from Kawaguchiko)
- Lake Kawaguchiko north shore — Best Fuji reflections in early morning
- Kachi Kachi Ropeway — Panoramic Fuji views from above
- Oshino Hakkai — Eight crystal-clear spring ponds
- Fuji-Q Highland — Extreme roller coasters with Fuji backdrop
Recommended Pass
Mt. Fuji Pass (¥5,500/1 day) — Unlimited buses + Fuji Excursion + select attractions.
Chinatown and waterfront
5. Yokohama 🎲
Getting There
- JR Tokaido Line: Tokyo/Shinagawa → Yokohama (25–30 min, ¥480)
- JR Yokosuka Line: Same route, same fare
- Tokyu Toyoko Line: Shibuya → Yokohama (25 min, ¥280)
- Minatomirai Line: Extends from Tokyu into the waterfront area
Top Spots
- Yokohama Chinatown — Japan’s largest, 500+ restaurants
- Minato Mirai waterfront — Landmark Tower, Cosmo World ferris wheel
- Cup Noodles Museum — Make your own instant ramen
- Yamashita Park — Seaside promenade, Hikawa Maru ship
- Ramen Museum — Retro-themed food hall with regional ramen shops
Recommended Pass
Minato Burari Ticket (¥500) — Unlimited Minatomirai Line rides. Or just use Suica.
Start early, check skies
Practical Tips
Pro Tips – Start early: First trains around 5:00–6:00 AM mean you can arrive before crowds – Check weather: Fuji views (Hakone, Kawaguchiko) depend on clear skies — mornings are best – Coin lockers: Leave big bags at Tokyo Station or your departure station (¥400–700) – Combine: Kamakura + Yokohama in one day is doable (they’re on the same JR line) – Off-season wins: Kamakura and Nikko are packed on weekends — go weekdays if possible – Buy passes at departure: Most day-trip passes are sold at the departure station – Plan your route: Use Jorudan to check train times, transfers, and fares in English
Common questions
FAQ
Which day trip is best for first-time visitors?
Kamakura is the easiest and most rewarding. It’s close (1 hour), fully JR Pass-compatible, and packs temples, shopping, and beach into one day. Second choice: Yokohama for food lovers.
Can I see Mount Fuji and hot springs in one day?
Yes, but it’s a long day. Take the Fuji Excursion to Kawaguchiko in the morning, then bus to Hakone in the afternoon for onsen. Or just do Hakone (the ropeway at Owakudani gives you Fuji views + volcanic scenery).
Are JR Pass regional passes worth it for day trips?
The JR East Tohoku Area Pass (¥20,000/5 days) covers Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama, and more. If you’re doing 3+ day trips, it pays for itself.
How do I handle luggage on day trips?
Use coin lockers at your departure station. Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Ueno all have large-size lockers (¥700/day). Alternatively, luggage forwarding services (Takkyubin) can send bags to your next hotel.
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