Best Day Trips from Tokyo
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Facts & Figures
If you plan to stay for one or two weeks in Tokyo, it’s a great idea to explore some of the amazing sightseeing spots nearby. In the case of my handpicked list, “nearby” means a maximum of three hours away by train or car. The list includes UNESCO World Heritage sites, bustling cities, beautiful landscapes, and historic castles and towns.
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- Overview of the Best Day Trip Destinations from Tokyo:
- 1. Yokohama
- 2. Nikko
- 3. Hakone National Park
- 4. Kamakura
- 5. Kawagoe
- 6. Chiba
- 7. Utsunomiya
- 8. Lake Kawaguchi
Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan and has many great sightseeing spots to offer. The city is easy accessible from Tokyo within an 30 to 45min train ride. The Chinatown, Port of Yokohama and Minato Mirai are my must-see recommendations for you.
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Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
The amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site Nikko can be reached within an 2hrs train ride from Tokyo. It is one of the most popular sightseeing spots for tourists in Japan. Take your time to explore the temple and shrines in this area.
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Hakone National Park, Kanagawa Prefecture
A 2 hrs bus ride from Tokyo Shinjuku Station will bring you to the most popular national park in Japan. The beautiful scenery with lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji makes it my number 1 hiking area near Tokyo. Do not miss the scenic boat tour from Togendai to Hakonemachi or Moto-Hakone.
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Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Kamakura, the former capital of Japan, has a more laid back atmosphere. Enjoy the great beach, numerous shrines and temples. A 1hr train ride from Tokyo will bring you to Kamakura. Appr. 19 million visitors a year enjoy this beautiful city.
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Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture
Not many places in Japan offer the chance to experience the old-town atmosphere of the Edo period. Within the old Warehouse District (Kurazukuri) in Kawagoe, visitors can explore traditional Japanese architecture. These distinctive fireproof storehouses were once built only by wealthy merchants.
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Mt. Nokogiri Chiba, Chiba Prefecture
The prefecture is also known as Tokyo’s Secret Backyard and covers an area of more than 5156 square kilometers. One of its highlights is Mount Nokogiri, which rises to 329 meters. It is one of the three most famous mountains of Chiba, also called the Three Mountains of Boso.
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Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture
Utsunomiya is the largest city in the northern Kanto area. It is also called - Gyoza Town - because it has more than 200 gyoza (pan-fried dumpling) restaurants throughout the city. This culinary fame has become a major tourist attraction and is one of the reasons many visitors come here.
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Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi Prefecture
Lake Kawaguchi is one of the Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture. It is the second largest of the group, with a circumference of 21 kilometers and a maximum depth of 14.6 meters. The area sits 830 meters above sea level and is a very popular tourist destination with excellent infrastructure.
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