Best Day Trips from Tokyo: 12 Destinations Under 2 Hours
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Tokyo is incredible, but sometimes you need a break. Here are 12 perfect day trips — all reachable in under 2 hours.
1. Kamakura (1 hour)
The beach town with a giant Buddha.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 50 km south of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Yokosuka Line (60 min, ¥940) |
| Best for | Temples, beach, Great Buddha |
| Budget | ¥3,000-5,000 |
Must-see:
- Great Buddha (Kotoku-in) — 13m tall bronze statue
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Kamakura's main shrine
- Hase-dera Temple — beautiful gardens
- Komachi Street — shopping and street food
Sample itinerary:
- 9:00 AM: Arrive, walk to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
- 10:30 AM: Visit Great Buddha
- 12:00 PM: Lunch on Komachi Street
- 1:30 PM: Hase-dera Temple
- 3:00 PM: Walk along Yuigahama Beach
- 4:00 PM: Return to Tokyo
2. Nikko (2 hours)
Mountain shrines and stunning nature.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 150 km north of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Nikko Line + Tobu Railway (2 hours, ¥5,000) |
| Best for | Temples, nature, waterfalls |
| Budget | ¥5,000-8,000 |
Must-see:
- Toshogu Shrine — Japan's most ornate shrine
- Shinkyo Bridge — sacred red bridge
- Kegon Falls — 97m waterfall
- Lake Chuzenji — scenic mountain lake
Tip: Buy the Nikko All Area Pass (¥4,780) for unlimited transport.
3. Hakone (1.5 hours)
Hot springs and Mt. Fuji views.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 80 km west of Tokyo |
| Train | Odakyu Romancecar (85 min, ¥2,330) |
| Best for | Onsen, art museum, Mt. Fuji views |
| Budget | ¥5,000-10,000 |
Must-see:
- Hakone Open-Air Museum — sculpture garden
- Lake Ashi — pirate ship cruise
- Owakudani — volcanic valley, black eggs
- Hot springs — soak in an onsen
Buy: Hakone Free Pass (¥6,100) for unlimited transport.
4. Mt. Fuji / Fuji Five Lakes (2 hours)
Japan's most iconic mountain.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 100 km west of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Chuo Line + bus (2 hours, ¥4,000) |
| Best for | Mountain views, lake activities |
| Budget | ¥4,000-6,000 |
Must-see:
- Lake Kawaguchiko — best Fuji views
- Chureito Pagoda — iconic photo spot
- Fuji-Q Highland — amusement park
- Hot springs — with Fuji views
Best season: Autumn (clear skies) or winter (snow-capped Fuji).
5. Yokohama (30 minutes)
Japan's second-largest city.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 30 km south of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Keihin-Tohoku Line (30 min, ¥480) |
| Best for | Chinatown, waterfront, ramen museum |
| Budget | ¥3,000-5,000 |
Must-see:
- Yokohama Chinatown — largest in Japan
- Cup Noodles Museum — make your own
- Minato Mirai — waterfront area
- Ramen Museum — 1958 recreated streets
6. Nikko (already listed above)
Let me replace this with another destination:
6. Chichibu (1.5 hours)
Mountain town with beautiful nature.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 90 km northwest of Tokyo |
| Train | Seibu Chichibu Line (90 min, ¥1,200) |
| Best for | Nature, temples, festivals |
| Budget | ¥3,000-5,000 |
Must-see:
- Chichibu Night Festival — December (one of Japan's best)
- Chichibu Shrine — historic shrine
- Hitsujiyama Park — sheep farm with views
- Mine Tower — observation deck
7. Kawagoe (30 minutes)
"Little Edo" — old town charm.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 30 km north of Tokyo |
| Train | Seibu Ikebukuro Line (30 min, ¥480) |
| Best for | Old town, sweet potatoes, warehouses |
| Budget | ¥2,000-3,000 |
Must-see:
- Kurazukuri Street — Edo-era warehouses
- Toki no Kane — bell tower
- Kashiya Yokocho — candy alley
- Kawagoe Festival — October (one of Tokyo's best)
8. Enoshima (1 hour)
Island shrine and ocean views.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 60 km south of Tokyo |
| Train | Odakyu Line + Enoden (60 min, ¥1,500) |
| Best for | Island, shrine, beach, seafood |
| Budget | ¥3,000-5,000 |
Must-see:
- Enoshima Shrine — island shrine complex
- Sea Candle — observation tower
- Samuel Cocking Garden — botanical garden
- Caves — sea caves along the coast
Tip: Combine with Kamakura for a full day.
9. Karuizawa (1.5 hours)
Mountain resort town.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 140 km northwest of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (70 min, ¥5,150) |
| Best for | Shopping, nature, hot springs |
| Budget | ¥5,000-8,000 |
Must-see:
- Karuizawa Ginza — shopping street
- Shiraito Falls — beautiful waterfall
- Kumoba Pond — scenic lake
- Outlet malls — bargain shopping
10. Atami (1 hour)
Seaside onsen town.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 100 km southwest of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Tokaido Line (70 min, ¥2,200) |
| Best for | Hot springs, ocean views, fireworks |
| Budget | ¥4,000-6,000 |
Must-see:
- Atami Castle — replica castle
- MOA Museum — art with ocean views
- Atami Sun Beach — swimming in summer
- Fireworks — summer festival (July-August)
11. Takao (1 hour)
Mountain hike with city views.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 50 km west of Tokyo |
| Train | Keio Line (50 min, ¥390) |
| Best for | Easy hike, temple, beer garden |
| Budget | ¥2,000-3,000 |
Must-see:
- Mount Takao — 6 routes to summit
- Yakuoin Temple — mountain temple
- Takao 599 Museum — nature museum
- Beer garden — at the base
Tip: Take the cable car up, walk down.
12. Yokosuka (1 hour)
Naval port town with American influence.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | 70 km south of Tokyo |
| Train | JR Yokosuka Line (60 min, ¥1,170) |
| Best for | Naval history, burgers, bay views |
| Budget | ¥3,000-5,000 |
Must-see:
- Mikasa Park — battleship Mikasa
- Verny Park — French-style garden
- Dobuita Street — American-style shops
- Burger Street — American burgers (Yokosuka specialty)
Quick Comparison
| Destination | Travel Time | Best For | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamakura | 1 hour | Temples, beach | ¥3,000-5,000 |
| Nikko | 2 hours | Shrines, nature | ¥5,000-8,000 |
| Hakone | 1.5 hours | Onsen, Mt. Fuji | ¥5,000-10,000 |
| Mt. Fuji | 2 hours | Mountain views | ¥4,000-6,000 |
| Yokohama | 30 min | Chinatown, food | ¥3,000-5,000 |
| Chichibu | 1.5 hours | Nature, festivals | ¥3,000-5,000 |
| Kawagoe | 30 min | Old town | ¥2,000-3,000 |
| Enoshima | 1 hour | Island, ocean | ¥3,000-5,000 |
| Karuizawa | 1.5 hours | Shopping, nature | ¥5,000-8,000 |
| Atami | 1 hour | Onsen, ocean | ¥4,000-6,000 |
| Takao | 1 hour | Hiking, temple | ¥2,000-3,000 |
| Yokosuka | 1 hour | Naval, burgers | ¥3,000-5,000 |
Transportation Tips
Using the JR Pass
Covered by JR Pass:
- Kamakura (JR Yokosuka Line)
- Nikko (JR Nikko Line)
- Yokohama (JR lines)
- Kawagoe (JR Kawagoe Line)
NOT covered:
- Hakone (Odakyu Line)
- Mt. Fuji (bus from Shin-Fuji)
- Chichibu (Seibu Line)
- Enoshima (Odakyu Line)
- Karuizawa (Shinkansen — partially covered)
- Atami (JR Tokaido Line — covered)
Day Pass Options
| Pass | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone Free Pass | ¥6,100 | All Hakone transport |
| Enoshima-Kamakura Pass | ¥1,500 | Enoden + buses |
| Nikko All Area Pass | ¥4,780 | All Nikko transport |
| Chichibu Pass | ¥2,600 | Seibu Chichibu Line |
My Top 3 Recommendations
For First-Timers
Kamakura — easy, beautiful, and quintessentially Japanese.
For Nature Lovers
Nikko — temples and waterfalls in the mountains.
For Foodies
Yokohama — Chinatown, ramen museum, and incredible seafood.
Final Tips
- Start early — maximize your day
- Check last trains — don't get stranded
- Bring cash — day trip spots may not take cards
- Pack light — you'll be walking
- Check weather — some spots are better in certain seasons
Day trips from Tokyo offer a perfect escape from the city's intensity. Whether you're seeking temples, nature, food, or just a change of pace, one of these destinations is waiting for you.
Enjoy the journey.
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