My journey placing this Kanto itinerary collectively started over a decade in the past, once I made what was then my fourth (I believe) journey to Japan, as a visitor of the JTB journey firm. Kanto Press Journey, the topic line of the e-mail inviting me on it had learn, intriguing me from the get-go.
Even then, regardless of being very new on my Japan journey, I’d identified the Kan-tō (関東) was the japanese Japanese area to which Tokyo belonged. I used to be additionally conscious that it probably comprised a lot than the capital.
Surprisingly, lots of the locations I ended up visiting on that exact journey weren’t in Kanto in any respect. Nonetheless, greater than 10 years later, I’ve now explored all seven of the area’s prefectures deeply sufficient that I can information you thru them correctly.
How I Got here to Know Kanto (Outdoors of Tokyo)
It’s not an exaggeration to say that this Kanto journey information has been a decade-plus within the making. In fact, it’s additionally correct to level out that my first experiences ostensibly in “Kanto” have been really in Chubu, the central area of Japan. Keep in mind that press journey I discussed within the intro to this piece? It really started in Yamanashi prefecture (the one well-known for Mt. Fuji), then proceeded into Shizuoka, particularly to the town and Atami and onto the Izu Peninsula.
Now, this isn’t to say that these locations aren’t value visiting—fairly on the contrary; the Izu-hantō is certainly one of my favourite locations anyplace in Japan. Nonetheless, my marketed Kanto journey really solely entered the correct Kantō-chihō about three quarters of the best way via it, once I spent an evening in Hakone adopted by one in Yokohama, each in Kanagawa prefecture. All the opposite heavy lifting I’ve accomplished to amass the experience for this information was mine alone.
The place to Do in Japan’s Kanto Area
Discover Tokyo—on and off its vacationer path
It’s not stunning to say that it’s best to go to Tokyo as a part of your Kanto journey. Nonetheless, I’d encourage you to dig a little bit deeper, particularly should you don’t assume you’ll have the ability to discover lots of the six prefectures exterior of Tokyo. A simple method to do that is to move west, be it to Mt. Takao (which is a scenic escape any day of the yr) or at Shiofune Kannon-ji temple in Ome metropolis, which is resplendent throughout tsutsuji (azalea) season.
See Saitama past Kawagoe
The Edo-era metropolis of Kawagoe is unquestionably one of many prime issues to do in Kanto, even when it normally takes the previous of a day journey from Tokyo. Different choices in underrated Saitama prefecture embody Omiya Bonsai Village (situated a brief native practice trip from the Shinkansen hub of the identical method) and, should you occur to be in Japan in late September or early October, the so-called Spider Lily Park in rural western Saitama-ken.
Kanagawa: Kamakura, Yokohama, Hakone—oh my!
As is the case with Kawagoe, Kanagawa prefecture’s Kamakura metropolis is among the hottest day journeys from Tokyo. Even higher, you’ll be able to typically mix it with an tour onward to Enoshima island, or/or cease within the underrated metropolis of Yokohama on the best way again to Tokyo. Nonetheless, that is solely the start of what Kanagawa-ken provides—and I’m not simply speaking concerning the fashionable scorching springs resort metropolis of Hakone. Amongst different spots, Shin-Nase Seaside, pictured above, provides one of the crucial scenic views of Mt. Fuji anyplace in Japan.
Spend the evening in Nikko (and dig deeper into Tochigi)
The historic metropolis of Nikko (which—spoiler alert—is one other fashionable Tokyo day journey) is just like the others I’ve talked about right here close to the highest of the place to go in Kanto. Nonetheless, it’s however one instance of why underrated Tochigi prefecture needs to be in your listing. Highlights right here vary from city (the prefectural capital of Utsunomiya), to suburban (Ashikaga Flower Park is house to certainly one of Japan’s finest wisteria collections) to the top-grade tradition you discover in Mashiko, certainly one of Japan’s premier pottery hubs.
Soak in Gunma’s effervescent baths
Gunma, like so many different Kanto-area prefectures, is a lot greater than its essential declare to fame. To make certain, whereas I’ve cited it primarily for the world-class scorching springs like these in Kusatsu Onsen (pictured above) and the Takaragawa Onsen scorching springs inn, there’s a lot extra on supply. This ranges from massive cities like Takasaki and Maebashi, to the smaller metropolis of Tatebayashi, which is house (amongst different locations) to certainly one of Japan’s finest spots for tsutsuji (azaleas).
Contact grass (or stone) in Chiba, Japan’s flyover nation
Trying to find issues to do close to Narita Airport? Effectively, Chiba prefecture delivers in spades. For some vacationers, this may merely entail touring to close by Narita metropolis or to the canal city of Sawara, which provides Edo-era structure year-round, and fields of irises in the summertime. Chiba-ken‘s west coast can be value visiting, whether or not you make a day journey from Tokyo (due to course it’s best to) to Mt. Nokogiri, discover underrated Chiba Metropolis or just get pleasure from a view of the capital from the free i-Hyperlink rooftop close to Ichikawa Station.
Give Ibaraki an opportunity
Ibaraki ceaselessly ranks as Japan’s least-loved prefecture, although that is in my view not deserved. For starters, even should you solely come to Hitachi Seaside Park in mid-April (or anytime of yr, frankly—it’s stunning in any season), you’ll get a excessive ROI of your time and cash. That is to say nothing of underrated Mito metropolis, and never simply because it’s house to Kairaku-en (one of many “three nice gardens” of Japan).
How Lengthy Do You Truly Want within the Kanto Area?
As you may think, you’ve got a whole lot of flexibility when it comes to discovering Kanto—lots of the locations I’ve listed below are simply doable as Tokyo day journeys, on account of how central (actually and figuratively) the capital is to the area. In truth, relying upon what number of days in Tokyo you resolve to spend, you could possibly see virtually in all places I’ve suggest in Kanto with out each sleeping in a resort exterior of Shinjuku or Ginza.
Alternatively, if you wish to take a day that’s really complete, then the subject of what number of days in Kanto can rapidly shift to weeks, relatively than days. With an essential caveat: You don’t essentially have to do all of it in a single journey. Should you plan to return to Japan many occasions over quite a few years (or a long time) like I’ve, you’ll be able to uncover the area piecemeal. And belief me once I say that there’s a particular profit to doing it this manner!
Different FAQ About Japan’s Kanto Area
The place is Japan’s Kanto area?
Japan’s Kanto area includes the Tokyo metropolis and the six prefectures instantly round it—specifically, going clockwise from west to east: Kanagawa; Saitama; Gunma; Tochigi; Ibaraki; and Chiba. “Tokyo” and “Kanto” are sometimes used interchangeably, however the area is a lot greater than its most well-known metropolis.
Is it value visiting the Kanto area exterior of Tokyo?
Kanto is completely value visiting exterior of Tokyo! I particularly love exploring underrated prefectures like Saitama and Ibaraki (which even Japanese folks are likely to denigrate and disrespect), in addition to going off the overwhelmed path of extra fashionable ones. Chiba, for instance, is a lot greater than Narita Airport.
Is Mt. Fuji a part of the Kanto area?
Mt. Fuji shouldn’t be a part of the Kanto area, although it’s seen from many locations inside Kanto. Quite, Mt. Fuji (and each the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures that encompass it) is a part of Chubu—in different phrases, central Japan. I’ll quickly be writing a information to Chubu, so keep tuned!
The Backside Line
My Kanto itinerary roughly includes the journey I want JTB had despatched me on a decade in the past. Quite than pushing into Chubu (as a lot as I really like the central area of Japan), it focuses totally on Tokyo and the six japanese Japanese prefectures that encompass it. A few of you’ll take solely probably the most superficial of my solutions, day tripping to must-visit locations like Nikko (in Tochigi) and Kamakura (in Kanagawa). Others will go additional off the overwhelmed path, be that exploring Chiba prefecture past Narita Airport, and even venturing into underrated Gunma, Ibaraki or Saitama. Want personalised help charting a course via Kanto? Fee a customized Japan itinerary immediately!