🆓FREE GUIDE🔰 Beyond Tokyo: Amazing Places to Visit Outside of Tokyo, Japan
Thanks for visiting this free guide to your next exciting journey across Japan! There are so many great and exciting locations in Japan and I really want people to know about them and visit them. Because I firmly Japan is so much more than just Tokyo, and so much of the scenery changes as soon as you step out of the metropolis!
⚠️There will be lots more walking on these days, especially if you are relying on public transit. If you have any mobility issues, I recommend looking into private transport like rental cars or private tours with coach bus service, or asking the hotel concierge a taxi booked out for the day for trips closer to Tokyo proper.
Are you ready? Let's go!
Easy Day Trips Outside of Tokyo
⚠️ Do be warned that if this is an easy location to get to for you, it's also going to be for locals on the weekends. So yes, it can get crowded.
📍Kawagoe
Easily one of my favourite towns that have the historical Edo-period look still in tact, and often overlooked by tourists in favour of Kyoto. Yes, it will be crowded as any easy day trips that's easy for you to get to will also be easy for locals too - but it is a good alternative if you don't have money for a Shinkansen ride all the way to the west side of Japan.
📍Nikko
With a direct express train, you can reach Nikko in about 2 hours from Tokyo. This is amazing for those who want to take a day trip out into the nature and get away from the city look that Tokyo provides. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is still one of the most jaw-dropping shrines I've been to in all of Japan, and should be seen once even if you are not an history buff.
However, I would avoid heading up to Kegon Falls during peak autumn leaves season, whether you are driving or taking the bus - there is only one road up to the falls. And what is normally a 20 minute bus ride can take upwards to 2 hours. Otherwise, Kegon Falls is also very beautiful - but dress warmly. There will be a temperature difference when you get up there.
📍Kamakura
If you enjoy getting temple stamps, or just really enjoy seeing the architecture within different sects and temples, this town will be a lovely addition to your trip.
Be prepared to walk between different temples though, as they can be rather spread out. And definitely do some research to make sure you have all the temples you want to visit in your agenda! One that you certainly must visit is the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, where you can actually go inside the Buddha to take a look inside. And if you're into surfing, there are some nice beaches lined across this side of Kanto. A great place to chill!
📍Enoshima
A great little coastal town on a hill, giving you a good view of the ocean and the surrounding areas. This town has a good mix of traditional and ocean activities, as just on the outskirts is a huge beachfront. There is also an aquarium for families to enjoy and spend a chill relaxing day here. Very popular escape from the cityscape even for locals!
📍Yokohama
You may know this city for its Chinatown, or its Ramen Museum, but it's also the place where most of the annual Pokemon Parade events happen. If you can align your trip to those days, it can be an added bonus on your trip!
📍Takaosan
Many locals enjoy to take this leisurely hike up Takaosan after a 2-hour long train ride from Tokyo proper. If you're looking for an easier hike, with properly paved walkways and little bits of civilization littered along the way, this day trip is for you.
At the top on a good day, you might even be able to see Mount Fuji at a distance!
📍Okutama
Another's hiker's paradise. If you are looking for something closer to a nature hike through denser forest and a bit longer routes, Okutama has a lot of extremely scenic hikes for more experienced and seasoned hikers.
2-3 Day Trips From Tokyo (by Train)
These are places that you can leisurely do in 2 or 3 days without having to use flights out of Tokyo to do. Arguably some of these places can be rushed in a day, but you will miss out on a lot. I recommend prolonging the trips, and even extending it to see more of the surrounding areas.
📍Hakone
A tourist favourite! And one of the most recent well-established hot spring towns from Tokyo. The reason why I recommend spreading this area out in several days is because you can take your time enjoying different kinds of hot springs in the town (and yes there are differences!). Most attractions are rather spread out, and even with frequent bus service, will take some time to get around. Staying one night or two will give you flexibility with your time.
📍Matsumoto City & Nagano City (Nagano Prefecture)
I think some people will absolutely argue with me to say that you can easily spend 4 or 5 days in these two cities AND THE OUTSKIRTS, but I think if we were just talking about the city alone and maybe one or two activities between these two cities, 2-3 days would be a comfortable amount. Matsumoto City has the famous castle that is a must see, and Nagano's Zenkouji Temple is gem.
There are a ton of hot spring towns in the area too and I highly recommend putting one on your list if you have an extra day or two!
If this is a day trip affair, choose one of the cities!
📍Mount Fuji Fujikawaguchiko (Yamanashi Prefecture)
There are many viewpoints of Mt. Fuji, but when someone says they are "going to Mt. Fuji", it most likely means they will be taking a 2-hour bus out to the lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture. Not only are the views from this side very spectacular, but this area is also where Fuji Q Highlands is - the theme park famous for its terrifying roller coasters and the famed 45-minute long haunted house experience.
This is also where 5th station, the start of the Mt. Fuji hikes are closest to, so the town of Fujiyoshida is very well developed for tourism.
It can be done in one day, and in fact if you look, there are quite a few private tour companies that offer this "hop on, see Fuji, and go" type of thing. But the reason why I do recommend prolonging your stay is so you may be hit with bad weather. Then at least you have one or two extra days to try again!
I recommend going in the winter time, as there is a higher chance to be able to catch this giant lump of soil in its full glory!
📍Atami Onsen & Izu City
Atami is another local favourite hot spring town due to its proximity to Tokyo proper. The town itself is smaller, some accommodations remain more dated and there are less tourist attractions to see - which is why foreign tourists prefer Hakone over Atami, but if you wish to simply experience the hot spring life in a town and relax, Atami is a great place to be.
Izu City, specifically Shuzenji Temple is also a popular hot spring town area. I particularly love the Shuzenji area a lot with the nature surrounding the town.
📍Kanazawa City
This is where you will need to fork out money to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) 3 hours from Tokyo, but Kanazawa is one of the cities that I personally love. It is less crowded than Kyoto, but you can still experience some of the old town Kyoto vibes from here. There is also great seafood and a beautiful garden here.
Usually for 4 days or more, many people like to pair it with this next city due to its proximity and direct bus route via Shirakawa-go...
📍Takayama City
Takayama is another personal favourite of mine. It's another town that was able to preserve parts of its history and it's truly a photogenic sight. On Sunday morning, you can also catch the morning market and experience the more local vibes.
Hida beef is famous here and I recommend making that part of your meal for this trip.
As I mentioned previously, many people will pair Kanazawa with Takayama and also stop at Shirakawa-go along the way. 3 or 4 days can be doable, but 5 would be a safer bet for a bit of a more relaxed trip.
Not in TOKYO? If you're in Osaka City and looking for things to do outside of the city? Check out this blog:
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