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The 5 best day trips from Tokyo.

2024/07/24

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Kamakura[鎌倉]

The ancient capital's historical sites, seasonal flowers and foliage, and gourmet cuisine are easily accessible from Tokyo.

What kind of place is Kamakura?

Less than an hour away from Tokyo, Kamakura is a coastal town located in Kanagawa Prefecture. In the late 12th century, Minamoto no Yoritomo selected the town to be the seat of his new military government, making it Japan's political center. Japan was ruled by the Kamakura government for over a century, starting with the Minamoto shogun and then the Hojo regents.

Today, Kamakura is a small city that attracts a lot of tourists. Numerous temples, shrines, and other historical monuments can be found in Kamakura, which is sometimes referred to as the Kyoto of eastern Japan. Also, Kamakura's sandy beaches bring in a lot of visitors in the summer

Kamakura's top attractions

Great Buddha [鎌倉大仏, Kamakura Daibutsu]

On the grounds of Kotokuin Temple, there is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha that is known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura. It is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, with a height of 11.4 meters, and it is the only one that is higher than Nara's Todaiji Temple and some recent creations.
Originally placed inside a large temple hall, the statue was cast in 1252. In the 14th and 15th centuries, typhoons and a tsunami caused the temple buildings to be destroyed multiple times. In the late 15th century, the Buddha has been occupying the open air.

Hokokuji Temple[報国寺]

Hokokuji is a small temple of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism located in the hills of eastern Kamakura and hidden away. Hokokuji was established in the early years of the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) as a family temple of the ruling Ashikaga Clan, but it was later taken over as the family temple of the Uesugi Clan.
Also, Hokokuji Temple is famous for the beautiful small bamboo grove located behind the main hall of the temple, which is thick with over 2000 dark green bamboo stalks. You can take a rest and enjoy a cup of matcha tea while enjoying views into the bamboo grove.

Kenchoji Temple[建長寺]

Kenchoji is the number one of Kamakura's five great Zen temples. During the Kencho Era during the Kencho Era, Hojo Tokiyori, the ruling regent, founded Kenchoji, the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura.
The garden behind the Hojo, designed by Zen master Muso Kokushi, is a must-see for visitors.
If you follow the path and stairs for another 15-20 minutes into the hills behind Kenchoji's main grounds, you will eventually arrive at the Hansobo shrine, which is dedicated to protecting Kenchoji.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu[鶴岡八幡宮]

It is a symbol of Kamakura's ancient capital and attracts a lot of tourists. The biggest patron saint of Kanto area in Japan, and the one who protects the country as well. Make sure to gain respect from the locals.
To reach the temple, you must climb 61 stairs. Before you begin climbing, you will encounter a large square with a Maidono festival happening. Two rows of wine are visible on either side of the square. There's a wall hanging with a lot of ema beside the temple. You can buy one, write down your wish, and put it on the wall.

Hakone[箱根]

A world-class resort features famous hot springs, great heritage, and stunning views of Mt Fuji.

What kind of place is Hakone?

Hakone is situated in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which is only a hundred kilometers away from Tokyo. Hakone is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists who want to take a break from Tokyo, due to its hot springs, natural beauty, and the view of Lake Ashinoko toward nearby Mount Fuji.

Hakone's top attractions

Hakone Hot Springs[箱根温泉]

For centuries now, Hakone has been one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan. In the present day, there are over a dozen springs that supply hot spring water to the numerous bathhouses and ryokans in the Hakone region.
Hot spring baths can be enjoyed by visitors in public bath houses or Ryokan. The baths at many ryokans are accessible to both guests staying there and daytime visitors. Guests who stay can use the baths for free, but daytime visitors pay an admission fee that ranges from 500 and 2000 yen.

Hakone Open Air Museum[箱根彫刻の森美術館]

The Hakone Open Air Museum achieves a harmonious balance between nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its grounds and enjoying views of the surrounding valley and mountains.
Both indoors and outdoors, the museum has different sections and exhibition spaces. One of these spaces is the Picasso Exhibition Hall, which exhibits two stories of paintings, sculptures, and ceramic works by the artist, as well as photos of him at various points during his life.

Chichibu[秩父]

Near Tokyo, there are forests, rocky cliffs, and colorful fields.

What kind of place is Chichibu?

Chichibu is a city in Saitama Prefecture, recognized for its magnificent shrines and picturesque surroundings, encompassing mountains that provide hiking opportunities. The Chichibu Night Festival, the town's biggest annual event, is held every December and is considered one of the top three festivals that feature floats, along with Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Takayama Matsuri.
For many centuries, the forested mountains surrounding the town have been a significant place of mountain worship, with shrines that carry on these ancient traditions today. Chichibu, located 90 minutes from central Tokyo by train, is a popular destination for those who want to escape from the city bustle.

Chichibu's top attractions

Mitsumine Shrine[三峯神社]

At the summit of Mount Mitsumine in Chichibu, there is an atmosphere filled shrine known as Mitsumine Shrine. The shrine's forested grounds are home to a variety of highly ornate buildings, making it a popular place for mountain worship. The shrine is now accessible by bus or car, but it remains accessible through a hiking trail network that connects Mount Mitsumine with the valley below and neighboring peaks and valleys.
The Mitsumine Shrine, which is a rare shrine dedicated to Japanese wolves, is believed to be a guardian against misfortune. A small treasure hall with exhibits about the history of the shrine is located to the left of the Torii gate, and it includes information on wolves, wolf pelts, and documents that relate to the imperial family and its connection to the shrine.

Hitsujiyama Park[羊山公園]

Hitsujiyama Park is a park in Chichibu which is known for its beautiful moss pink fields. It has typically come into bloom around late April to early May and attract droves of visitors.
The park's southern end is where you can find the Hill of Pink Moss fields. The undulating fields are given hues of pink, purple, and white by multiple types of moss pink spread over them.

Nikko[日光]

You can find magnificent architecture, profound history, and untouched nature

What kind of place is Nikko?

Nikko is a city of Tochigi prefecture, which is situated at the entry of Nikko National Park, widely recognized for Toshogu, Japan's most extravagantly decorated shrine, and the resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa dynasty.
For many centuries, Shikoku was a hub of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship before Toshogu was constructed in the 1600s, and today, Nikko National Park remains a haven for scenic mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.

Nikko's top attractions

Toshogu Shrine[日光東照宮]

Toshogu Shrine is a stunning tribute to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who led the Tokugawa Shogunate for more than 250 years until 1868. Tosho Daigongen, or Great Deity of the East Shining Light, is the name given to Ieyasu at Toshogu. Toshogu was initially a simple mausoleum, but it was expanded into the stunning complex that we see today by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu in the first half of the 17th century.More than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest form the lavishly decorated shrine complex.
The buildings were decorated in a way that was not seen elsewhere in Japan, where simplicity has traditionally been emphasised in shrine architecture, with countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf.

Nikko Edomura[日光江戸村]

Nikko Edomura is a theme park that recreates the daily lives of the inhabitants of the Edo Period (1603-1868). Edo style architecture is present in the park's town, which is populated by people dressed in period costumes. It has been used as the setting for period TV shows.
Visitors to the park can dress up (costumes can be rented for a fee), explore the town's historic shops and museums, participate in games, and watch live shows and theater.

Have fun taking day trips from Tokyo!

The top 5 day trips from Tokyo were suggested by us. Did you find where the place is interesting?

Kamakura's ancient capital has historical sites, seasonal flowers and foliage, and gourmet cuisine that are easily accessible from Tokyo, Hakone is a world-class resort featuring famous hot springs, great heritage, and stunning views of Mount Fuji.

Forests, rocky cliffs, and colorful fields can be found in Chichibu, located near Tokyo. Nikko is where you can find magnificent architecture, profound history, and untouched nature

Have fun taking day trips from Tokyo!