20 best day trip plan from Tokyo: DIY day trip planner for the first timer to the advanced traveler

1 to 3 days
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All 20 day trip destinations from Tokyo
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Would you like to visit various places other than Tokyo while staying in Tokyo?

But traveling with luggage may be a hassle for you, especially if you travel with senior(s) or small child(ren). If you want to minimize traveling with a luggage, just stay in one place and make day trip(s).

Actually there are many places where you can go as day trips from Tokyo.

In this post, I will pick 20 places where you can reach from Tokyo by a public transportation. Some of the plans I will show you may not be the place to visit as a day trip, but I’d like to share them with you as an idea. I will tell you a suggested deal for a day trip. If you intend using JR Pass or other deals, I also tell you how much you can use it to make a day trip.

1. Yokohama

yokohama minato mirai
Yokohama MInato Mirai

Yokohama is only 30 minutes away from Tokyo. Yokohama is the easiest place to visit as a day trip. You can choose the train from the three railways, JR, Keikyu Railway and Tokyu Railway by the departure stations in Tokyo.

Travel time to the destination

30 minutes

Suggested deal

Level

Easy

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
09:09Shibuya station
(Tokyu railway limited express train)
09:41Minatomirai station
Exploring the Yokohama waterfront area on foot
Minato Mirai
Osanbashi Pier
Yamashita Park
Motomachi Chukagai (Chinatown)
17:05Motomachi -Chukagai station
(Tokyu Railway limited express)
17:40Shibuya station
The itinerary by using Tokyu Railway

Please see the link below to get more information about the trip to Yokohama.

2. Kamakura and Enoshima

kamakura buddha
Kamakura’s Big Buddha

Kamakura is abou 1 hour away from Tokyo. It is a nice destination for a day trip along with Yokohama. You may get to Kamakura by either JR and get to Enoshima by Odakyu Railway.

Travel time to the destination

1 hour

Suggested deal

Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass (Odakyu Railway) or Greater Tokyo Pass
JR Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass cover the trip partially.

Level

Easy

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
09:09Tokyo station
(JR Tokaido line rapid train)
09:51 / 09:54Ofuna station
(JR Yokosuka line train)
10:00 / 13:00Kamakura station
Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine
and lunch time
(Eno-den Railway)
13:04 / 14:29Hase station
Visit Big Buddha
(Eno-den Railway)
14:47 / 17:00Enoshima station
(Eno-den Railway)
17:09 / 17:14Fujisawa station
(JR Ueno-Toko line train)
17:59Tokyo station
The itinerary by using JR and Eno-den railway. Eno-den Railway fares are not covered by JR Pass and other JR deals.

Please see the link below to get more information about the trip to Kamakura. You can combine Kamakura and Yokohama in one day if you can accept with a tight schedule.

3. Kawagoe

The town of Kawagoe, where there are many clay-wood style warehouse, is reminiscent of the Edo period, which was several hundred years ago.

Kawagoe is only 30 minutes away from Ikebukuro by Tobu Railway. This is another easy day trip destination. You can choose the train from the three railways, JR, Tobu Railway and Seibu Railway by the departure stations in Tokyo.

Travel time to the destination

30 minutes

Suggested deal

Kawagoe Discount Pass (Tobu Railway)
JR Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, Greater Tokyo Pass cover the trip.

Level

Easy

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
09:00Ikebukuro station
(Tobu railway rapid express train)
09:29Kawagoeshi station
Exploring Kawagoet on foot
Warehouse District
Kitain Temple
Honmaru Goten
Candy Alley
17:12Kawagoeshi station
(Tobu railway rapid express train)
17:47Ikebukuro station
The itinerary by using Tobu Railway

4. Hakone

hakone
The stunning view of Mt. Fuji from Hakone Ropeway

Hakone can be a day trip destination. If you take Odakyu Railway’s limited express “Romancecar”, you can get to Hakone-Yumoto directly in 90 minutes.

Travel time to the destination

1.5 hours (by Odakyu Railway limited express train)

Suggested deal

Hakone Free Pass (Odakyu Railway)
JR Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass cover the trip partially.

Level

Moderate

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
08:56Shinjuku station
(Odakyu Railway limited express Hakone 5)
10:30 / 10:38Hakone-Yumoto station
(Hakone Tozan Railway)
11:16Chokoku no Mori station
Visit Hakone Open Air Museum
12:46Chokoku no Mori station
(Hakone Tozan Railway)
12:49 / 12:54Gora station
(Hakone Cable Car)
13:04Sounzan station
Lunch time
14:20Sounzan station
(Hakone Ropeway)
14:30Owakudani station
1 hour walking
15:35Owakudani station
(Hakone Ropeway)
15:50 / 16:10Togendai station
(Hakone Pirates Ship Cruise on Lake Ashi)
16:35Motohakone station
visit Hakone shrine
17:20Motohakone bus stop
(Hakone Tozan Bus)
17:47 / 18:09Hakone-Yumoto station
(Odakyu Railway limited express Hakone 36)
19:46Shinjuku station
You may take a later train to go back to Shinjuku if you have a dinner time in Hakone-Yumoto.

Please see the link below to get more information about the trip to Hakone.

5. Lake Kawaguchi (Fuji, Kawaguchiko)

Fuji Shibazakura
Shibazakura festival nearby Lake Kawaguchi

Lake Kawaguchi is the best spot to see Mt. Fuji. There are many places to see. You can choose a few places where you want to visit.

Travel time to the destination

2 hours (by the limited express Fuji Excursion)

Suggested deal

Tokyo Wide Pass or Highway bus
JR Pass, JR East Pass cover the trip partially.

Level

Moderate

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
07:30Shinjuku station
(The limited express Fuji Excursion 3)
09:21Kawaguchiko station
You can pick one of these following plans.
1. Mt. Fuji 5th station and Chureito Pagoda
2. Fuji-Q Highland
3. Fuji Shibazakura Festival and Chureito Pagoda (spring only)
4. Kachikachi Yama ropeway, lake cruise and Chureito Pagoda
17:36Kawaguchiko station
(The limited express Fuji Excursion 48)
19:27Shinjuku station
The itinerary by using JR trains

Please see the link below to get more information about the trip to Lake Kawaguchi:

If you are ambisious, try Lake Kawaguchi and Hakone in one day:

6. Nikko

Nikko Toshogu shrine

You can get to Nikko by either JR or Tobu Railway. Tobu operates many express train between Asakusa and Nikko. JR operates fewer but you can start from Tokyo, Shinjuku and manu more stations.

Travel time to the destination

2 hours (by Tobu Railway limited express train from Asakusa)

Suggested deal

Tobu Railway Nikko Pass All Area
Tokyo Wide Pass, JR Pass, JR East Pass cover the trip partially.

Level

Moderate

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
07:30Asakusa station
(The limited express Kegon 5)
(or taking the limited express Nikko 1 Shinjuku 07:31 – 09:28 Tobu-Nikko)
09:20 / 09:35Tobu-Nikko station
(Tobu bus)
09:41 / 11:11Nishisando Iriguchi bus stop
Visit Toshogu shrine
(Tobu bus)
11:50Chuzenji Onsen bus stop
Lunch time and visit Kegon falls
(walk 10 minutes)
13:20 / 15:02Funenoeki Chuzenji bus stop
Chuzenji lake cruise (13:30 to 14:25)
(Tobu bus)
15:11 / 16:06Ryuzu no Taki bus stop
Visit Ryuzu falls
(Tobu bus)
17:05 / 17:23Tobu-Nikko station
(The limited express Kegon 46)
(or taking JR Nikko line locla train to Utsunomiya and take the Shinkasnen to Tokyo station)
19:27Asakusa station
The itinerary by using Tobu Railway

Please see the link below to get more information about the trip to Nikko:

7. Izu

Kawazu cherry blossom
Kawazuzakura (early blooming cherry) viewing has been very popular in these years.

Izu peninsula has many spots. It is not possible to cover whole part of the peninsula but you can visit a few places in one day.

Travel time to the destination

2.5 hours (by Odakyu Railway limited express train)

Suggested deal

JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass cover the trip fully.
JR pass covers the trip partially.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary (for viewing Kawazu sakura)

TimePlace and transporation
09:00Tokyo station
(The limited express Odoriko 1)
11:39Kawazu station
Visit Kawazu cherry blossom festival
12:51Kawazu station
(Izukyu Railway locla train)
13:08Izukyu-Shimoda station
Visit the town of Shimoda and lunch time
18:01Izukyu-Shimoda station
(Izukyu Railway local train)
18:19Kawazu station
Visit Kawazu cherry blossom festival evening light-up
19:17Kawazu station
(Izukyu Railway local train)
20:04 / 20:05Ito station
(JR Ueno-Tokyo line train)
22:19Tokyo station
You can remove a night view of Kawazu sakura and leave earlier.

I have 1 night 2 days sample plan of Izu and Hakone:

8. Hitachi Seaside Park

nemophila hitachi
Nemophila flowers cover the hill and make the breathtaking view.

You can get to Katsuta station by the limited express Hitachi or Tokiwa. This train trip is covered by JR Pass, JR East Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass. After arrival in Katsuta, all fares are extra on top of these passes.

Travel time to the destination

2 hours

Suggested deal

JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, JR pass cover the trip partially.

Level

Moderate

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
08:00Ueno station
(The limited express Hitachi 5)
09:25 / 09:40Katsuta station
(Ibaraki Kotsu Bus)
09:55Hitachi Seaside Park West Entrance
Lunch and enjoy the pass all day
16:12Hitachi Seaside Park West Entrance
(Smile Aozora Bus)
16:41 / 17:57Nakaminato station
Visit Nakaminato Fish Market and eat seafood dinner
(Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway)
18:12 / 18:21Katsuta station
(The limited express Hitachi 24)
19:45Tokyo station
I added the fish market after visiting Hitachi Seaside Park. But you can remove it if you don’t like it. The bus for Katsuta station operates every 15 to 20 minutes.

9. Ashikaga Flower Park

Ashikaga flower park
Ashikaga flower park is very famous as four tall wisteria trees.

You can get to Ashikaga Flower Park station by the Shinkansen and a local train. These train trips are covered by JR Pass, JR East Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass fully. All you have to pay is the admission of the flower park.

Travel time to the destination

2 hours

Suggested deal

JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, JR pass cover the trip fully.

Level

Easy

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
07:44Tokyo station
(The Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko 205)
08:27 / 08:45Oyama station
(Ryomo line local train)
09:25 / 16:22Ashikaga Flower Park station
(Ryomo line local train)
16:57 / 17:32Oyama station
(The Tohoku Shinkansen Yamabiko 216)
18:16Tokyo station

Are you interested in two flower parks in one day?

10. Gala Yuzawa

Gala Yuzawa
Yuzawa is easiest snow resort to access from Tokyo.

You can get to the snow resort by the Shinkansen directly. In these days, this resort has been developed as a summer resort.

Travel time to the destination

1.5 hours

Suggested deal

JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, JR pass cover the trip fully.

Level

Easy

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
08:04Tokyo station
(The Joetsu Shinkansen Tanigawa 403)
09:40Gala Yuzawa station
Enjoy the snow (or mountain) resort
15:54Gala Yuzawa station
(The Joetsu Shinkansen Tanigawa 412)
17:28Tokyo station

11. Kusatsu Onsen

Yubatake (湯畑=hot springs field) is the landmark in Kusatsu. ©Visual Gunma/©JNTO

You will take a train and a bus to get to Kusatsu Onsen. Both train and bus are covered by JR pass, JR East Pass and Tokyo Wide Pass.

Travel time to the destination

3 hours

Suggested deal

JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, JR pass cover the trip fully.

Level

Moderate

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
10:00Ueno station
(The limited express Kusatsu 1)
12:18 / 12:31Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi station
(JR Kanto bus)
12:53 / 17:00Kusatsu Onsen
Visit Yubatake, Nishi no Kawara Park,
Yumomi perfomance at Netsunoyu
(JR Kanto bus)
17:25 / 17:52Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi station
(Agatsuma line local train)
19:05 / 19:42Shin-Maebashi station
(Joetsu line local train)
19:29 / 19:42Takasaki station
(The Joetsu Shinkansen Tanigawa 414)
20:40Tokyo station

12. Nagano and Snow Monkey Park

snow monkey
Monkeys enjoy natural hot springs in Snow Monkey Park.

This is very popular destination in the winter season. You may add Matsumoto instead of the monkey park in the summer season.

Travel time to the destination

3 hours

Suggested deal

JR East Pass Nagano Niigata, JR pass cover the trip between Tokyo and Nagano.
Snow Monkey Pass is required for Nagano to the monkey park.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
07:20Tokyo station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 505)
08:45 / 09:00Nagano station
(Nagaden express bus)
09:42 / 13:18Snow Monkey Park bus stop
Walk approximately 40 minutes to get to the park.
(Nagaden local bus)
13:33 / 14:02Yudanaka station
(Nagaden Railway limited express Yukemuri)
14:52 / 19:03Nagano station
Visit Zenkoji temple
(The Hokurku Shinkansen Kagayaki 514)
20:23Tokyo station

Please refer my trip report in the link below:

13. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

snow wall
Snowwall can be seen in the spring season after this route opens.

It is the world class mountain sightseeing route. The Hokuriku Shinkansen makes the trip time be shorter and we can make this trip as a day trip from Tokyo.

Travel time to the destination

4 hours

Suggested deal

JR pass and Hokuriku
Arch Pass cover the trip from Tokyo to Nagano and from Toyama to Tokyo. Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket covers the rest of the trip.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:16Tokyo station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 501)
07:40 / 08:15Nagano station
(Alpico Kotsu express bus)
10:00 / 10:30Ogizawa station
(Kanden Electric Bus)
10:46Kurobe Dam station
15 minutes walking
11:30Kurobeko station
(Kurobe Cablecar)
11:35 / 11:50Kurobedaira station
(Tateyama Ropeway)
11:57 / 12:15Daikanbo station
(Tateyama Torolley Bus)
12:25 / 15:00Murodo (lunch stop and walking)
(Tateyama Highland Bus)
15:50 / 16:00Bijodaira station
(Tateyama Cablecar)
16:07 / 16:17Tateyama station
(Toyama Chiho Railway limited express Tateyama 6)
17:27 / 19:37Toyama station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 516)
21:56Tokyo station

14. Kanazawa and Shirakawago

Very popular scene of Shirakawago from Tenshukaku view point

Catch the earliest Shinkansen train to get Kanazawa. Enjoy visiting the places in Kanazawa and then head to World Heritage Site Shirakawago.

Travel time to the destination

2.5 hours

Suggested deal

JR pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass cover the train trips. The bus fares are extra.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:16Tokyo station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 501)
08:46 / 13:10Kanazawa station
(Nohi bus or Hokutetsu bus express bus)
14:25 / 17:50Shirakawago
(Nohi bus express bus)
19:25 / 19:37Toyama station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 516)
21:56Tokyo station
You can take one later train which is Hakutaka 578, 20:41 Toyama – 23:24 Tokyo.

15. Kurobe Gorge and Toyama

Kurobe Gorge Railway
A one hour 15 minutes train journey will give you spectacular views, and you won’t be able to take your eyes off for a moment.

Catch the earliest Shinkansen train to get Kurobe-Unzakionsen statin. Change to a local train going into the Kurobe valley. Enjoy the stunning view from the open air carriage.

Travel time to the destination

3.5 hours

Suggested deal

JR pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass cover the Shinkansen train trips. Toyama Chiho Railway and Kurobe Gorge Railway fares are extra.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:28Tokyo station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Hakutaka 551)
08:58 / 09:29Kurobe-Unazukionsen station / Shin-Kurobe station
(Toyama Chiho Railway)
09:54 / 10:03Unazuki Onsen station
(Kurobe Gorge Railway )
11:21 / 13:10Keyakidaira station
Easy hiking and lunch
(Kurobe Gorge Railway )
14:28 / 14:47Unazuki Onsen station
(Toyama Chiho Railway)
16:23 / 18:15Toyama station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 514)
20:23Tokyo station

I have a sample itinerary which covers whole part of the moutain area in this area:

16. Takayama and Shirakawago

Takayama
In the Takayama historical preserved district, you can enjoy shopping and eating local foods at the stands along the path.

Very popular sites in Hida area are squeezed into a day trip plan.

Travel time to the destination

30 minutes

Suggested deal

JR Pass covers the train trips. The bus fares are extra.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:27Tokyo station
(The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 631)
08:18 / 08:43Nagoya station
(The limited express Wide View Hida 3)
10:56 / 14:30Takayama station
(Nohi Bus)
15:20 / 17:50Shirakawago
(Nohi Bus)
19:25 / 19:37Toyama station
(The Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki 516)
21:56Tokyo station
You can take one later train which is Hakutaka 578, 20:41 Toyama – 23:24 Tokyo.

17. Kyoto

You can go up the peak after going through many Torii gates.

I don’t think the tourist who stays in Tokyo goes to Kyoto as a day trip. But actually you can cover most major spots as a day trip from Tokyo.

Travel time to the destination

2.5 hours

Suggested deal

JR Pass covers the Shinkansne trips and JR local train trips. Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway are not coered.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:27Tokyo station
(The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 531)
09:13 / 09:39Kyoto station
(JR Nara line)
09:44Inari station
Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine
11:18Fushimi-Inari station
(Keihan Railway local train)
11:25Kiyomizu-Gojo station
Walk to Kiyomizudera temple, Higashiyama area and then get to Gion area
14:30Kyoto-Kawaramachi station
(Hankyu Railway via Katsura station)
14:49Arashiyama station
Visit Bamboo Forest, Togetsukyo bridge
17:32Saga-Arashiyama station
(JR Sagano line local train)
17:49 / 20:42Kyoto station
Drop by Kyoto Tower and dinner at Kyoto station building.
(The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 666)
23:09Tokyo station
I do not use the fastest train “Nozomi” between Tokyo and Kyoto because it is not covered by JR Pass.

18. Hirosaki and Resort Shirakami

resort shirakami
The route which Resort Shirakami runs on is one of most scenic train routes in Japan.

It is a plan that combines Hirosaki, which is a famous place for cherry blossoms, with a popular train Resort Shirakami.

Travel time to the destination

4 hours

Suggested deal

JR Pass, JR East Pass Tohoku
You can get almost your money worth of 7-day pass only by this travel.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:32Tokyo station
(The Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa 1)
09:51 / 09:58Shin-Aomori station
(JR Ou line local train)
10:39 / 14:30Hirosaki station
(Resort Shirakami)
18:56 / 19:10Akita station
(The Akita Shinkansen Komachi 48)
23:04Tokyo station
The Akita Shinkansen Komachi 48 is the last departure ofr Tokyo.

I have 2-day trip plan which include Resort Shirakami and Lake Towada:

19. Matsushima and Yamadera

The view from the highest point of Yamadera temple is amazing.

It is a plan that combines Matsushima, which is one of “Three Best Scenery of Japan”, with the scenic temple, Yamadera. Take in the picturesque views of these superb places.

Travel time to the destination

2.5 hours

Suggested deal

JR Pass, JR East Pass Tohoku
All train trips are covered.

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:32Tokyo station
(The Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa 1)
08:06 / 08:15Sendai station
(JR Senseki line local train)
08:55 / 12:10Matsushimakaigan station
Enjoy Matsushima bay cruise
(JR Senseki line local train)
12:47 / 14:04Sendai station
Sendai’s favorite beef tongue lunch
(JR Senzan line local train)
14:56 / 16:56Yamadera station
Visit Yamadera
(JR Senzan line local train)
17:18 /18:04Yamagata station
(The Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa 156)
20:48Tokyo station
You can take one later train for Tokyo from Yamagata to have a time to eat dinner.

20. Hakodate

hakodate church
Hakodate is always ranked high in the ranking of the towns where you want to live in Japan.

Hakodate is not close to Tokyo, but it is possoble to make a day trip by the speed of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

Travel time to the destination

5 hours

Suggested deal

JR Pass, JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass

Level

Advanced

Suggested itinerary

TimePlace and transporation
06:32Tokyo station
(The Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa 1)
10:53 / 11:07Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station
(JR Rapid Hakodate Liner)
11:24 / 18:08Hakodate station
Enjoy Matsushima bay cruise
(JR Rapid Hakodate Liner)
18:30 / 18:40Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station
(The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 48)
23:04Tokyo station
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 48 is the last departure for Tokyo.

Last word

I think there are pros and cons to my choice, but I hope you find an idea to create your trip plan.

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