Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi-ken

destination

Hasamachō

If you’ve ever seen the Japanese “Wisteria tunnel” that tends to go viral on the internet every year, your research has probably led you to an unfortunate conclusion: This tunnel is located on Kyushu, Japan‘s southernmost island, which all but the most curious Japan travelers tend to skip on their trips. Thankfully, you can find rather impressive wisteria near Tokyo, at Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture. (TIP: Wisteria season is rather short, usually occurring completely within the month of May, so keep this in mind when planning your trip!) HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the Shinkansen Nasuno to Oyama (about 45 minutes), then transfer to the Takasaki-bound JR Ryomo Line for about 40 minutes until you reach Ashikaga Flower Park station.

Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture

destination

Atami

Atami is the most notable city in Japan‘s underrated Shizuoka prefecture, itself a wonderland of travel and discovery (and hot springs, and SCUBA diving) so close to Tokyo it’s a shock more people don’t seem to know about it. My personal favorite place in Atami is Kinomiya Shrine, which is home to a massive tree that’s believed to be more than 2,000 years old. Atami is also home to a gorgeous though often overlooked castle.

Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture

destination

Hakone

Speaking of hot springs, that’s why most people come to the town of Hakone, though I would argue they’re but one of many worthwhile attractions you’ll find here. (In fact, I don’t even think Hakone is home to best onsen near Tokyo, but that’s a topic for another post.) I especially love visiting Narukawa Art Museum, where you can take in a view of Hakone’s waterfront torii shrine (and, on a very clear day, Mt. Fuji) at Lake Ashinoko. The window and walls of the museum frame the scene in a way that makes Hakone itself seem like a work of art!

Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki-ken

outdoors

Hitachi Seaside Park

The Japanese love flowers, in and out of sakura season. Another example of this, the aforementioned Tokyo wisteria notwithstanding, is Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki prefecture. Late every April (usually just a couple of weeks after the cherry blossoms have peaked), this coastal paradise becomes a sea of bluish-purple Nemophilia flowers. The park is pleasant outside of this period, too, but if getting the proverbial money shot is your priority, time your visit as precisely as possible. HOW TO GET THERE: The Limited Express Tokiwa train takes you directly from Tokyo to Katsuta, where you can ride a bus or hail a cab to Hitachi Seaside Park.

Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture

destination

Kamakura

The city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture is most famous as the home of Japan‘s Big Buddha statue, but Kotoku-in is only the beginning of all there is to enjoy here. From Buddhist temples that span history (Hase-dera dates back to the 8th century, while Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in the city center is only 200 years old) to a bamboo forest (Hokoku-ji) that rivals Arashiyama in Kyoto, Kamakura is one of the best Tokyo day trips you can take.

Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

destination

Kawagoe

In ancient times, Tokyo was known as “Edo,” and was a primarily wooden city that bears little resemblance to the forest of glass that exists here today. To be sure, an excursion to the castle town of Kawagoe, which is known to this day as “Little Edo,” is sort of like taking a trip back in time. While architecture such as the Toki no Kane clock tower is the highlight of a trip to Kawagoe, make sure to take a stroll down Kashiya Yokocho, where you can taste a variety of local candies flavored using Kawagoe’s famous sweet potatoes. Do all this and more on a walking tour of Kawagoe here. HOW TO GET THERE: The Express Tobu Toju Line runs directly from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe in just 31 minutes.

Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture

outdoors

Mount Fuji

Saying you want to take a day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo is a somewhat nebulous statement, since the Fuji Five Lakes region that sits beneath Japan‘s most famous mountain is so huge. Do you want to head to Kawaguchiko, whose lake provides the clearest reflection of Mt. Fuji, or head to Fujiyoshida to actually climb the thing? Another iconic spot you can find in the Fuji Five Lakes region is Chureito Pagoda, which during cherry blossom season provides one of the best hanami views in the entire country. In my opinion, while you can theoretically take a Tokyo day trip to Mt. Fuji, there’s so much in this region that you’d best stay at least one night. The best way to reach Mt. Fuji from Tokyo depends on where you want to go. Direct buses run from Shibuya to Fuji-Q Highlands theme park and Kawaguchi-ko, and this is the fastest way for most travelers to reach the Fuji Five Lakes region.

Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture

destination

Nikko

Likewise, while Nikko has gained notoriety as one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo, it’s so full of rich history that spending a night here might be worth it, if you have time. If you don’t, make a beeline for the hillside Tosho-gu Shrine, which dates back to the 16th century when the Tokugawa Shogunate exerted great control over Japan. This shrine alone can occupy several hours of your time, so if you do plan to see Nikko on a day trip from Tokyo, leave the city as early as you possibly can. HOW TO GET THERE: The Tobu Nikko line operates a direct service to Nikko from Tokyo’s Asakusa station. Alternatively, ride the Yamabiko Shinkansen from Tokyo to Utsunomiya, then transfer to the JR Nikko line for a total journey time of just under two hours.

Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

destination

Yokohama

Looking at a map of the Tokyo area with an un-critical eye, you might mistake Yokohama as simply being a suburb of Tokyo. Yokohama, however, is not only the second-largest city in Japan, but a destination in its own right. If you visit Yokohama on a day trip from Tokyo, three locations in the city should be your priority. Take a morning stroll through lush Sankei-en Garden, which is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season. In the afternoon, head to the Cup Noodles Museum, where you can create your own flavor of the food college students erroneously refer to as “ramen.” As night falls, make your way to Yokohama’s Chinatown, which is Japan‘s largest and older, and the best place in the country to enjoy dim sum, and one of the best day trips from Tokyo for that reason alone!

三浦市, 神奈川県

outdoors

Jogashima Park

Destination Highlights: Misaki Port, Jogashima Lighthouse, and Awazaki Lighthouse Jogashima is three times bigger than Enoshima and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Unlike Enoshima, Jogashima is flat, so there’s no need to climb a bunch of stairs. You can practically explore the entire island by walking for 1-2 hours from west to east. Just be sure to wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Recommended Itinerary: Exploring the island is the goal of the day, so there’s really no recommended itinerary here. Start early as 10 am by departing from Shinagawa Station and buy the KEIO 1-Day Ticket from the ticket machine. Exit the train at Misakiguchi Station and take the bus to Jogashima Misaki Port at bus stand #2. From there, grab a lunch and try the island’s specialty the Meguro-don (tuna on rice). The west part of the island is where Misaki Port is located where tuna stores and fish markets can be found. Freshly loaded from fishing boats, the Misaki Port will remind you of the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Locals and visitors alike are also free to fish by the port or the outer perimeter. From the Misaki Port, it’s a 7-minute walk to the Jogashima Lighthouse. On the eastern part of the island lies Jogashima Park, where you can visit the other lighthouse called Awazaki Lighthouse. If you have a car, you can pretty much just explore the entire island without worrying about time.