Looking for a best destination for a day trip from Tokyo? There are many options, you can go to the beautiful ocean, historical place, world heritage, flower park, hiking on the mountain, etc. by train or car. Let’s find the best place for you depending on what you’re interested in.
Best Day Trip Destination From Tokyo
Tokyo is the biggest city in Japan where a lot of tourists visit. However, you can also visit some places around Tokyo as a day trip. As you might know, we have a great transportation system in/around Tokyo that makes it easier for you to get away!
Here are some places that I recommend going as one day trip, access by train and car, things to do there, etc.
Seasonal Suggestion For a Daytrip
At the end, I also wrote the recommendation for the one day trip destinations from Tokyo in each season.
DayTrip to Kamakura From Tokyo
Kamakura was capital once, year of 1185-1333 that is Kamakura period. There are many temples and shrines with a long history. It’s surrounded by mountains, close to the ocean, so you can enjoy both.
Access To Kamakura From Tokyo
It takes about 1 hour from Shinjuku/Shibuya area, Tokyo by train.
If you want to drive a car to get Kamakura, it takes 1-1.5 hour by driving a car to get Kamakura. The problem is where to park there. It’s very difficult to find a place to park, and expensive fee in summer. In addition, traffic jam, of course. I prefer going by train, however, i’d go by a car if I had kids and/or went for spending time on the beach = many belongings, or in Winter.
Things To Do in Kamakura
- Temples & Shrines : Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kotoku-in Temple (great Buddha), etc
- Photo spot : Ocean view, Slum Dunk scene, Sunset on the beach
- Enoshima Train ride – A retro looking train that runs nearby the coast so that you can have a great view
- Seasonal Beauty : Sakura at Tsuruoka Hachimangu in Spring, Hydrangea in Meigetsu-in Temple, Hase dera Temple, etc in rainy season
- Food in Kamakura : Seafood (especially Shirasu), Kamakura veggies,
More information for The Best Things To Do in Kamakura
Kawagoe : Daytrip from Tokyo
Kawagoe is called “Koedo” – small Edo because it looks like Edo (before Tokyo). A lot of historical buildings still remain there.
Access to Kawagoe from Tokyo
If you go to Kawagoe by train, it takes 1h from Shibuya, about 45 minutes from Shinjuku, only 30 mins from Ikebukuro if you are lucky,
By a car, it takes 1h (+ traffic) from Shibuya/Shinjuku area. I don’t think it’s too difficult to find a parking lot if you are ok with parking a bit away from the main area, also you go there on weekdays (besides those days with events).
Things To Do in Kawagoe
- Historical Building
- Temples and Shrines
- Food in Kawagoe : Satsuma imo (sweet potato), Unagi (eel), Soy Sauce
>> Kawagoe Street Food, Restaurant and Cafe
The Railway Museum in Omiya from Tokyo
If you are a big fan of trains, I recommend going to The Railway Museum in Omiya.
Access to The Railway Museum from Tokyo
It takes 1h to get The Railway Museum from Shibuya/Shinjuku area in Tokyo by both train and car. In my opinion, it was fun to ride on the mono-rail called “New Shuttle” from Omiya station to The Railway Museum Station with my little nephew. It might be a good idea if you have some kids, many belongings, etc.
What You Might Enjoy
- Simulator (ruffle)
- Diorama
- Display of a lot of trains
Nikko Daytrip from Tokyo
Nikko – Tochigi : World Heritage in the nature
If you want to enjoy shrines and temples with mountain view, I’d recommend going to Nikko, Tochigi.
It takes 2.5 – 3 hours to get Nikko Station from Shibuya/Shinjuku area by train, 2 – 2.5 hours (+ traffic) by car. If you want to go the places where you can’t access by public transportation in Nikko, it might be better going by car.
Things To Do in Nikko
- UNESCO World Heritage SItes : Nikko Toshogu Shrine, 3 monkeys
- Shinkyo Bridge – One of 3 finest bridges in Japan. current form is build in 1636.
More Info at >> Best Things To Do in Nikko
Ashikaga Day Trip From Tokyo
Ashikaga city is located in Tochigi. You can go by train that takes 2-3 hours from Tokyo, by car that takes 1.5-2.5h depending on the traffic.
Access to Ashikaga from Tokyo
It takes 2 – 2.5 hours from Shibuya/Shinjuku area by train, and 1.5 -2 hours by car without a traffic jam.
I went Ashikaga by train from Shibuya, it was a long way and I was very tired on the way back home. They don’t have a lot of trains scheduled on rural areas, so it depends how well you plan to transfer one train to another.
Things To Do in Ashikaga
- Ashikaga Flower Park – there are beautiful flowers in each season
- Ashikaga Gakko School – the oldest school in Japan
- Bannaji Temple – the temple with over 800 years of history
More information for Best Things to Do in Ashikaga
Best Destination for Day Trip From Tokyo in Each Season
We have seasons in Japan, and seasonal sceneries and food as well.
One Daytrip From Tokyo in Spring
Depending on the weather, but I’d recommend Miura for Sakura + canola flower around early March. Around late April – early May, Ashikaga for Japanese Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park.
One Daytrip From Tokyo in Summer
It’s hot and humid in summer in Japan. I’d recommend doing something inside or going somewhere cooler. The Railway Museum in Omiya is fun if you are with kids and/or you like trains. If you like going to somewhere close to ocean, Kamakura is fun but also crowded!
One DayTrip From Tokyo in Autumn
Hiking in Nishizawa Valley in Yamanashi is a good option if you like doing something outdoor and you have a car. If not, Mt. Nokogiri in Chiba is another good option. Also, you can enjoy the autumn colored leaves and World Heritage in Nikko, Tochigi.
One Daytrip From Tokyo in Winter
In Winter, it’s nice to go for Onsen (hot spring), Hakone, Kanagawa or Atami, Shizuoka. Also, Odawara Castle in Odawara in Kanagawa is a good option, too.
Did you find somewhere to go as a daytrip from Tokyo? Tokyo has a lot to offer inside and outside of Tokyo, including good access to the mountains, oceans, parks, historical places, landmarks, etc. Enjoy your one day trip from Tokyo!
