Top Tokyo Day Trips

You have several options when it comes to day trips from Tokyo. Recent visitors have raved about these tours:

• Mt. Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train
• 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour
• Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
• Private Sightseeing to Mt Fuji and Hakone Guide
• Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bus

The seaside city of Kamakura is located one hour south of Tokyo, and people enjoy visiting the temples and beaches here. Yokohama and Kawasaki are also nearby, about one hour away.

Yes, seeing Mt. Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo is possible. There are several excursion options that include your transportation both ways and can include additional sightseeing options, such as the Hakone Ropeway, a boat ride on Lake Ashi, the Ninja Trick House, and the Shinkansen bullet train.

It depends on the method of transportation. Kyoto is quite far from Tokyo—more than a 6-hour drive—but the Shinkansen bullet train can make the trip in closer to two hours. Consider how you want to divide your day between travel and sightseeing to decide whether this works for your schedule.

Hokkaido is located more than 18 hours north of Tokyo by car. If you take the bullet train, you can cut your travel time down to about four hours, which means it’s more worth staying overnight than trying to squeeze in a day trip. You should still visit regardless: Hokkaido is beloved for its Sapporo beer and ramen, skiing, and fragrant flower fields.

You can experience Tokyo in three days—though obviously, longer is better if you want to get around to some of the city's most popular sights and experiences. Following a three-day Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors will help you structure a shorter visit to the city.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Tokyo aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Bus Tours

• Private Drivers

• Layover Tours

• Cooking Classes

• Sake Tasting

Tokyo day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Tokyo: Mt. Fuji 5th Station Oshino Hakkai, Outlet & Hot Spring Trip

• Mt. Fuji 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai, and Hot Spring Day Trip

• From Tokyo Mount Fuji, Kamakura, Lake Ashi, and Oshino Hakkai

• Nikko: The Beauty of Kegon Waterfall and Chuzenji Lake From Tokyo

• From Tokyo: Mount Fuji Sightseeing One-Day Trip

Many day trips from Tokyo go to the Mt. Fuji area, but you don’t have to be too active—unless you want to be. Most of these trips take you to locations where you can enjoy gentle sightseeing rather than hiking on the mountain. Some day trips travel by bus or car, but if you want to save time for more sightseeing, look for a trip by shinkansen (bullet train), which is available to some destinations.

Popular day-trip destinations from Tokyo include the Mt. Fuji area and Nikko, both at higher altitudes than sea-level Tokyo. In summer, the temperature difference can be quite refreshing, but in winter, it can be very cold. Dress appropriately for the season. Pick up some snacks for the journey before heading out on a day trip: Japanese convenience stores sell an exciting array of Japanese snacks and bento boxes that are ideal for travel.

The best times of year to visit Tokyo and take a day trip from there is spring (March–May) or fall (October–November). The weather is mostly warm and dry then, and you can enjoy seasonal foliage. However, these are very popular times to travel, so book day trips in advance. Summer in Tokyo is very hot and humid, but if you do visit then, take a day trip up to the mountains to enjoy more pleasant conditions. On the other hand, mountainous destinations can get very cold in winter, but you can still enjoy a day trip there if you dress warmly.