Many day trips are within easy reach from Tokyo for travelers using this modern city as a home base. Tokyo’s excellent public transport system and Japan’s excellent railways make it easier than many other countries to travel relatively short distances with a minimum of fuss. Hop on a train and you’ll have access to an endless number of fun day trips, from major theme parks to historic castles and temples, beautiful national parks and even the majestic Mount Fuji.
1 Majestic Mount Fuji
Japan’s most famous landmark, Mount Fuji, is located 80 miles southwest of central Tokyo and is a day trip if you’re just traveling to the base of the mountain, or an overnight stay if you plan to climb it. Japan’s highest and most beautiful mountain, it is also the country’s most celebrated peak, recorded in poetry and paintings since early times. On clear days it is visible from as far away as Tokyo. In the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the volcanic Mount Fuji sees more than a million people climb it in July and August as an almost religious act, culminating in the sighting of sunrise from the summit. The climb can be tough and can take up to eight hours, so be prepared for a lot of walking and bring warm clothes. Alternatively, there are a number of trails available that circle the lower parts of the mountain, a journey that can take many more hours. Just viewing the mountain from a distance is also worthwhile.
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2 Disneyland Tokyo
Today, Tokyo Disneyland (Tōkyō Dizunīrando) has many of the most popular Disney attractions and restaurants known to theme park enthusiasts. What makes it an unforgettable experience for Westerners, however, are the many unique attractions included here, such as Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, The Eternal Seas (a deep-sea movie adventure), and Meet the World (a presentation of Japan’s rich history), as well as the World Bazaar, a unique twist on the Main Streets of other Disney parks that is completely covered. In addition, up to 300 entertainers appear daily in shows, musical performances and parades, along with Mickey and a host of other Disney characters. Tokyo Disneyland also offers more than 27 dining options, ranging from snack bars to elaborate gourmet restaurants.
Address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031
Official site: www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/index.html
3 Nikko National Park
Nikkō National Park (Nikkō Kokuritsu Kōen) covers an area of 1,407 square kilometers and offers an abundance of mighty mountain peaks, ancient forests, vast moors, lakes and waterfalls and is one of the most beautiful and most visited regions in Japan. Nikkō National Park is located approximately 180 kilometers north of Tokyo and has a number of popular spas that provide an abundant supply of warm mineral water and have become favorite resting places for visitors from far and wide, while those seeking recreational activities such as hiking, camping , mountain climbing, boating, fishing, skiing and skating are also well accommodated. Highlights are the 2,578 meter high Mount Okushirane with its beautiful waterfalls accessible via clearly marked hiking trails. The park also has many historic temples, especially the Nikkō Tōshō-gū complex consisting of 22 buildings, each richly decorated, and Rinnojia temple founded in 848 AD.
4 Nikkō Tōshō-gū temple
In Nikkō National Park, the beautiful Nikkō Tōshō-gū Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and member of the Historic Shrines and Temples of Nikkō – is well worth the two-or-more-hour trip from Tokyo. Comprising 22 buildings dating from the 17th century, at a time when architecture and applied arts were at their peak, this beautiful site was built by more than 15,000 craftsmen from all over Japan. Highlights include the Stairs of the Thousand (Sennin-ishidan), the furthest point at which commoners used to be admitted, and beyond that an eight-and-a-half-meter-high granite torii with an inscription in the name of Emperor Go – Mizunoo and a beautiful five-storey pagoda. Note also that the courtyard with its three sacred storehouses and stables, including a relief on the facade depicting an elephant (unusual for Japan), as well as carved monkeys (“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”), sacred fountains and many beautiful sculptures.
5 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku forms the western outskirts of Tokyo and makes for a fun day trip from the city’s bustling downtown area (it’s an easy 10-kilometer subway journey). In addition to its lively shopping and entertainment districts, Shinjuku is popular for its beauty Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a five-minute walk from the train station and famous for its beautiful Japanese garden design. Once the private gardens of the wealthy Naito family, this 145-hectare park fell to the Imperial Household in the late 19th century before being transferred to the state after World War II. It is also a botanical garden and features a variety of plant species from around the world, dividing it into European and Japanese sections. The models for the European section were French parks and English landscaped gardens, while the Japanese section, with its beautiful Chinese pavilion, draws crowds in April, when its 1,100 cherry trees of 34 different varieties bloom. Those who prefer chrysanthemums wait for November when chrysanthemum shows are held in the park, along with the beautiful fall colors.
Address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0014
6 Tokyo Disney Sea
One of Disney’s newest theme parks, the 176-acre Tokyo DisneySea, opened in 2001 and attracts 14 million visitors annually, making it one of the country’s most popular attractions. With an emphasis on nautical themes, the park is especially popular with adults and older teens for its faster, sometimes scarier rides (those traveling with younger children may be better served by visiting Disneyland Tokyo). Highlights include the excellent Mediterranean port built to look like an Italian seaside town complete with gondolas; the American territory with a portion resembling Cape Cod and elements of New York Harbor; and the fascinating Mysterious Island with its volcano and fortress straight out of a Jules Verne novel.
Address: 1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031
Official site: www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds/index.html
7 The seaside resort of Atami
About 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo and less than an hour’s journey by train, the small seaside town of Atami is a popular holiday destination with locals and makes for an excellent excursion for tourists. Idyllically situated on the mountain slopes surrounding Atami Bay, this peaceful coastal town has an excellent beach with a pleasant promenade, as well as the remarkable MOA Art Museum. The museum is located on a hill overlooking the city and offers beautiful views of the sea. The collection includes more than 3,500 works focusing on East Asian art, as well as paintings by Rembrandt and Monet and sculptures by Moore. Another notable display is a reconstruction of the Golden Tearoom used by famed military commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi for tea ceremonies in the 16th century.
8 Fashion Central: Trendy Harajuku
A popular outing for those who follow fashion – especially over-the-top fashions favored by trendsetters and rebellious children – is a visit to the Harajuku area in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. Just a half-hour subway ride from central Tokyo, Harajuku is known for its fashion stores and the often bizarre outfits on display. If possible, the best day to visit is Sunday when young people (and some oldies) from all over the city descend on Harajuku’s streets and parks, dressed as everything from Teddy Boys and Rockers to their favorite anime cartoon characters. It is a wonderful and colorful experience that offers endless fun for participants and spectators alike. Then you can spend some time enjoying the many beautiful historic buildings found here, including the famous ones Meiji and Togo Shrines where you will see many local people dressed in more traditional outfits.
9 Historical Kamakura
Historical Kamakura
Just 50 kilometers southwest of Tokyo and easily accessible by train, the pleasant city of Kamakura has a long, rich history and makes an excellent day trip for those who want to take it a bit easier. Much of its architecture stems from its roots as the home of one of the first Shogunate governments in the early 12th century and the local population’s adherence to Buddhism shortly afterwards, an influence that can still be seen in many of the city’s temples. A highlight of a spring visit is the city’s many cherry blossoms, while summer is all about the beach and shopping Komachi Dori, a street popular for its shops and restaurants. Of its many temples, the most famous is the Buddhist Temple of Kotokuin, known for its Great Buddha, a massive exterior bronze statue dating back to 1252. The city is also famous for its seven “passes” or entrances, which for centuries were the only way into the city due to its natural fortress-like hill setting; these can now be explored on foot and make for a lovely walk.
10 Japan Railway Journeys
While it may seem a bit ironic that Japan, the world’s leading automaker, also has the world’s fastest and most efficient public rail system, it’s just one of the many contradictions that make this country so interesting. The state system, Japan Railways, has a 21,000 kilometer network, connecting even the most remote parts of the country to major urban cities such as Tokyo. Striking are the fast main lines along which the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train whizzes along at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, reducing once formidable journeys from Tokyo to cities like Fukuoka, some 700 miles away, to less than seven hours. For day trippers, this remarkable network makes trips to cities like Nagoya less than a two-hour excursion, not much longer than it takes to enjoy one of the famous Bento meals on board (it also takes you Mount Fujia highlight of any visit to Japan). Hot tip: If you plan to travel in Japan by train, you can save money by picking up a Japan Rail Pass before your arrival (visit their website for details and costs).
Official site: www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html
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