One of my favorite things about living in Tokyo is how easy it is to escape the city for a day, when I am sick of Shibuya and Shinjuku crowds.
As much as I love Tokyo, sometimes I hit a point where I need a break from crowded trains, busy stations, and spending way too much money at restaurants. Luckily, some of my favorite places outside of the city are less than two hours away.
Whether I’m craving ocean views, a good hike, hot springs, or just a change of scenery, these are the day trips I find myself recommending over and over to friends coming to visit me.
1. Kamakura: My Favorite Day Trip From Tokyo
If someone asks me for one day trip from Tokyo, Kamakura is almost always my answer. Hands down.
I love that I can spend the morning exploring buddha, grab matcha and a pastry in the afternoon, and end the day watching the sunset by the beach. It somehow manages to feel relaxed without being boring. There is also bamboo forest without the crowd of Kyoto
How I Get There
I usually take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station or Shonan-shinjuku from Shibuya. The trip takes about an hour maybe an hour and a half and costs around ¥950 each way. No need for reservation you can just rock up.
What I Always Do
- Visit the Great Buddha
- Walk through Hasedera Temple
- Snack my way down Komachi Street
- Stop for coffee somewhere tucked away from the crowds
- Drop by the bamboo forest for a small garden friendly walk.
- End the day near Yuigahama Beach
The best parts of Kamakura are usually the places I stumble across by accident. But beware that there are loads of tourists too and you actually need cash for things like entrance tickets.
2. Hakone: My Go-To Reset Day
Whenever I feel burnt out, Hakone is one of the first places that comes to mind.
Something about the combination of mountains, hot springs, and slower pace makes it feel like a complete reset. I never get tired of seeing Mount Fuji appear in the distance when the weather cooperates.
How I Get There
I usually take the Romancecar from Shinjuku Station because it’s the most comfortable and straightforward option. The journey takes about 85 minutes, but I always try to book my seat a few days in advance, especially during weekends, holidays, cherry blossom season, and autumn foliage season when trains can sell out surprisingly quickly.
One thing I’ve learned after a few trips is that Hakone isn’t really a place I like to rush. Between the ropeway, Lake Ashi, Owakudani, wandering around town, and squeezing in an onsen, a day can disappear fast. I try to leave Tokyo early, ideally on one of the first morning trains, so I have enough time to enjoy everything without constantly checking my watch. I also sometimes book a hotel and make it a weekender.
I also try to avoid relying too much on the buses whenever possible. They’re convenient, but they can get incredibly crowded and often have long wait times during peak travel periods. If I have limited time, I usually prioritize attractions connected by the ropeway, cable car, train, or pirate ship routes instead.
What I Love Most
- Riding the Hakone Ropeway
- Seeing the volcanic landscape around Owakudani
- Spending time by Lake Ashi
- Finding an onsen for a few hours
Honestly, sitting in an outdoor hot spring after a long week is hard to beat.
3. Enoshima: When I Want Ocean Air
Whenever Tokyo starts feeling a little too hectic, I head towards the coast and Enoshima is where its at.
Enoshima has a completely different energy from the city. I usually spend the day wandering around the island, eating seafood, stopping at cafés, and watching surfers from the shoreline.
How I Get There
I usually take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima Station, which takes about 75 minutes and is one of the easiest day trips from Tokyo. If I’m planning to visit both Enoshima and Kamakura, I’ll often buy the Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass since it covers the train and makes hopping between the two areas really convenient.
I like to arrive in the morning, grab a coffee near the beach, and spend the day slowly exploring the island. Enoshima can get surprisingly crowded on sunny weekends, especially during spring and summer, so arriving early makes a huge difference.
One of my favorite things about Enoshima is that it doesn’t feel like you need a strict itinerary. I usually just wander between the shrines, viewpoints, cafés, and seafood restaurants, stopping whenever something catches my eye. It’s the kind of place that’s best enjoyed at a slower pace.
My Perfect Enoshima Day
- Walk across the bridge onto the island and take in the ocean views
- Wander through the shrines and narrow streets leading up the hill
- Grab fresh seafood for lunch. If it’s in season, I always look for shirasu (whitebait) or really any seafood.
- Stop at a café overlooking the water for an iced coffee and a break from all the stairs
- Explore the rocky coastline and viewpoints around the island
- End the day watching the sunset before relaxing at Enoshima Island Spa, where I can soak in the hot springs while looking out over the ocean
Honestly, the sunset followed by a soak at the spa is usually my favorite part of the entire trip. After spending the day walking around the island, it feels like the perfect reward before heading back to Tokyo. 🌊♨️✨
4. Kawagoe: The Day Trip That Feels Like Time Travel
The first time I visited Kawagoe, I couldn’t believe it was so close to Tokyo.
The historic streets, traditional buildings, and old-fashioned candy shops make it feel completely different from the city.
How I Get There
One of the things I love most about Kawagoe is how little planning it requires. Unlike places like Hakone or Nikko, I can decide on a whim in the morning and still have a full day to explore.
I usually arrive around late morning and spend a few hours wandering through the historic warehouse district, browsing shops, and trying way more sweet potato snacks than I originally intended. Since most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, it’s an easy place to explore without constantly checking train schedules or maps.
What I Never Skip
- Walking through the Kurazukuri Warehouse District
- Seeing the iconic Bell Tower
- Trying Kawagoe’s famous sweet potato snacks
- Stopping by the traditional cafés and tea houses
- Browsing the old-fashioned candy shops along Candy Alley
Kawagoe is one of those places where I always tell myself I’ll only stay for a few hours, and somehow I don’t end up leaving until sunset. And I have written an entire blog about it! Check it out here.
5. Mount Takao: My Favorite Easy Hike
Whenever I need to touch grass, Mount Takao is usually the answer.
It’s one of the easiest nature escapes from Tokyo and doesn’t require much planning.
How I Get There
I take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station. The ride takes about 50 minutes.
What I Love About It
- The hiking trails are beginner-friendly
- The views from the summit are surprisingly good
- There are plenty of food options
- On clear days I can sometimes see Mount Fuji
I try to arrive early because it gets busy surprisingly fast.
6. Nikko: The Most Impressive Day Trip I’ve Taken
Nikko feels completely different from Tokyo.
The towering cedar trees, ornate shrines, and mountain scenery make it one of the most memorable places I’ve visited in Japan.
How I Get There
I usually take the Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa. It takes around two hours. And I would get to Asakusa by 7-8 AM and book the train especially during fall/spring peak tourist times.
My Highlights to check out
- Toshogu Shrine
- Shinkyo Bridge
- Kegon Falls
- Lake Chuzenji
Every time I visit, I leave wishing I had booked an overnight stay instead.
7. Atami: My Favorite Seaside Escape
Atami wasn’t originally high on my list, but it’s become one of my favorite places to visit.
The combination of ocean views, hot springs, seafood, and retro Japanese charm makes it feel different from almost every other day trip near Tokyo.
How I Get There
I usually take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. The ride is only about 40 minutes.
What I Usually Do
- Walk along Atami Sun Beach
- Visit the MOA Museum of Art
- Browse local food markets
- Spend a few hours in an onsen
It feels like a mini vacation without actually taking vacation days.
Final Thoughts
One of the reasons I love living in Tokyo is how easy it is to leave the city behind for a day.
As much as I love Tokyo, sometimes I just need a change of scenery. Some weekends my boyfriend and I head for the mountains and spend the day hiking. Other times, I’m craving a hot spring, fresh seafood by the ocean, or a quiet café tucked away in a historic town.
One of the things that surprised me most after moving here is how many incredible places are within an hour or two of the city. It never feels like I need to take a vacation to have an adventure.
These are the day trips I keep coming back to, whether I’m showing friends around Japan or simply looking for a weekend reset. Every visit feels a little different, and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever get tired of them.
If you’re planning your first day trip from Tokyo, I’d start with Kamakura. It has a little bit of everything I love about Japan: temples, great food, ocean views, hidden cafés, and enough charm to keep me coming back year after year. 🥟✨
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