Tokyo presents one thing of a contradiction. On one hand, it’s the world’s largest metropolis; you wouldn’t be mistaken to state that you might spend a month right here and nonetheless not see every part, and even near it.
However, Tokyo is adjoining to among the greatest day journey locations in all of Japan. I typically inform vacationers to evenly divide their time between central Tokyo and the cities and cities simply outdoors it. For instance, with 4 days in Tokyo, you’ll solely spend two exploring areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza and Asakusa.
Which isn’t to say that day journeys from Tokyo are a one-size-fits-all subject. Actually, whereas most vacationers will wish to go to Nikko, Kamakura or Mt. Fuji, choices past this are as limitless because the Tokyo skyline.
The Paradox of Tokyo Day Journeys
Irrespective of which Tokyo day journeys enchantment most to you, taking them will really feel unusual. In spite of everything, how on earth can you allow the world’s largest metropolis behind, even for a day? This cognitive dissonance shall be particularly acute if it’s your first journey to Japan, and even worse in the event you’ve simply landed within the nation. You’ll have a visceral feeling that you simply is perhaps lacking out on one thing—do your greatest to disregard this.
Or slightly, to re-frame it: The true FOMO is the truth that in the event you don’t get out of town, you’re ceding one of many largest advantages of touring in Tokyo. Particularly, that the big variety of cities and cities accessible in only a day from the capital imply that it’s a number of locations in a single. Solely vacationers who’re daring sufficient to discover these satellite tv for pc places can perceive Tokyo in its full context.
The Finest Day Journeys from Tokyo
Nikko
It shouldn’t come as a shock that Nikko is a prime day journey from Tokyo, what with its 400-year outdated shrine and historical cedars. Nevertheless, one factor I realized a few falls in the past is that Nikko can also be an amazing in a single day vacation spot, whether or not you give your self further time to discover Tosho-gu, or as a substitute to go “up” to Oku-Nikko for out of doors actions.
Kamakura
One other one of the vital well-liked day journeys from Tokyo is coastal Kamakura. Certainly one of Japan’s former capitals, this metropolis is very lovely in June, when ajisai (hydrangeas) bloom at temples comparable to Meigetsu-in and Hase-dera, in addition to for evergreen sights just like the Kotoku-in “Massive Buddha.” Conveniently, Kamakura Station is only one hour from Tokyo Station.
TIP: When you go to Kamakura, there are many add-on journeys together with eclectic Enoshima island, vibrant Yokohama metropolis and Zushi, which is residence to Fujisan-facing Shin-Nase Seaside.
Mt. Fuji
Talking of Mt. Fuji, it makes an amazing day journey from Tokyo. Generally, this entails visiting the Fuji 5 Lakes area (and, extra particularly, both Lakes Kawaguchi or Yamanaka) however may additionally entail the recent springs hub of Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, Miho-no-matsubara seaside in Shimizu or Shizuoka metropolis’s Nihondaira viewpoint. You’ll be able to even go to Obuchi Sasaba, a tea plantation with views of the mountain.
Chiba
All the most underrated day journeys from Tokyo are to Chiba prefecture, which you most likely solely know (if you realize it in any respect) from arriving at or departing from Narita Airport. A few of my favourite choices (lots of which could be visited in the identical day in the event you lease a automobile) are Mt. Nokogiri, Tateyama Fortress and Metropolis, the Edo-era canal city of Sawara, coastal Choshi and naturally, Chiba Metropolis.
Kawagoe
Talking of Edo, one final (however not remaining) Tokyo day journey is Kawagoe. Positioned in Saitama prefecture north and west of Tokyo, and accessible from Ikebukuro Station, Kawagoe is the least-well identified day journey from Tokyo, but in addition the best to execute on account of its small dimension.
TIP: You’ll be able to spice this selection up in the event you go to in early October, when the spider lilies (higabana or manjushage) are blooming, or in early December, and are capable of watch the Chichibu Yomatsuri “night time competition” because it unfolds.
Methods to Correctly Proportion Your Tokyo Itinerary
As I referenced earlier on this publish, I feel a 1-to-1 ratio is ideal for a Tokyo journey. That means, that for each full day you spend in Tokyo, you possibly can afford to spend a day outdoors of Tokyo. You probably have 5 nights (however 4 full days) in Tokyo, you possibly can take day journeys to 2 locations, along with having 48 full (however not essentially contiguous) hours within the metropolis middle.
So far as how to consider day journeys from Tokyo you probably have an odd variety of days? Properly, this would possibly shock you, however I’d suggest erring on the facet of much less, no more. That means that you probably have three days in Tokyo, it’s higher simply to take a single day journey. The choice is spending extra time outdoors Tokyo’s metropolis limits than inside them, which is a lopsided ration that I merely don’t suppose works very effectively.
Different FAQ About Tokyo Day Journeys
Can I do a day journey to Tokyo from Mt. Fuji?
You are able to do a day journey from Tokyo to a vantage level for Mt. Fuji, be that within the Fuji 5 Lakes area, Hakone or elsewhere in prefectures like Kanagawa, Shizuoka or Yamanashi. What I don’t advise is trying to climb Mt. Fuji on a day journey from Tokyo, which may vary from reckless to downright harmful.
What metropolis to mix with Tokyo?
Many vacationers choose small cities and cities, comparable to Nikko, Kamakura or Kawagoe, to pair with Tokyo as a day journey vacation spot. Nevertheless, I additionally suggest pondering far outdoors the field, whether or not in purely rural locations like Shin-Nase Seaside in Zushi, Kanagawa, or within the sprawling, various prefecture of Chiba simply to the east of central Tokyo.
Is Hakone a day journey from Tokyo?
You’ll be able to completely see Hakone on a day journey from Tokyo. Nevertheless, on condition that Hakone is named a sizzling spring vacation spot, chances are you’ll as a substitute wish to keep in a single day so as to expertise an onsen-ryokan, which is just partially gratifying to day-trippers.
The Backside Line
Not the entire greatest day journeys from Tokyo are the obvious ones. A few of them are, in fact. Many vacationers, for instance, will wish to go to Nikko or Kamakura, even when they don’t have time for each. However, there are nearly numerous choices past this. An apparent one is to go someplace with a implausible view of Mt. Fuji; a much less typical one is to discover Chiba prefecture, which most vacationers go to solely when arriving at or departing from Narita Airport. Need personalised assist balancing out city exploration in Tokyo with adventurous day journeys? Contemplate commissioning a customized Japan itinerary!