8 Best Day Trips from Tokyo: Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone Compared (Times + Costs)

Correction, 7 October 2026: an earlier version said the Hakone Freepass covers the Romancecar (it needs a separate limited-express ticket) and gave old prices for the Freepass (now ¥7,100 for two days from Shinjuku) and Toshogu (now ¥1,600). It also misnamed Kawagoe's warehouse district, which is kurazukuri.

The best day trips from Tokyo are Kamakura for temples and the coast, Hakone for hot springs and views of Mount Fuji, Nikko for shrines in the forest, and Kawaguchiko for Fuji up close. Kamakura and Hakone are 60–90 minutes away by train, Nikko and Kawaguchiko about two hours. You don't need a car or a tour, just an IC card and an early start.

Tokyo could fill a month on its own, but the places around it are some of the best in Japan, and each of them fits into a day.

How to plan a day trip

Start early. Leave Tokyo by 8 or 9 a.m. You will reach the temples and shrines before the crowds, and still have time for a proper lunch.

Use an IC card. Suica and Pasmo work on most of the trains you need. For limited expresses, buy the extra ticket at the station or online.

Pick one place. Kamakura and Hakone each deserve a full day. Trying to do both in one is a long day on trains.

Check the weather. Views of Mount Fuji depend on a clear sky. On a cloudy day, Hakone and Kawaguchiko lose much of their appeal, so swap your days around if you can.

Kamakura: temples, the Great Buddha and the coast

Travel time: about an hour from Shinjuku on the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, or from Tokyo Station on the Yokosuka Line.

Best for: first-time day-trippers, history, a walk by the sea.

Kamakura was the seat of Japan's first shogunate in the 12th and 13th centuries. Today it is a compact town of temples and shrines, and its headline sight is the bronze Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, about 11 meters tall. It has sat in the open air since the hall around it was washed away at the end of the 15th century.

Start at Kita-Kamakura, where Engaku-ji, one of the town's great Zen temples, is next to the station. From there, the Daibutsu hiking trail runs through the hills to the Great Buddha in about an hour.

Afterwards, take the Enoden line to the coast or on to Enoshima. Try shirasu-don, rice topped with tiny whitebait, a specialty of this stretch of coast.

Budget: about ¥2,000 in train fares, a few hundred yen per temple, and ¥1,000–¥1,500 for lunch. See our Enoshima guide.

Hakone: hot springs, the ropeway and Fuji views

Travel time: about 85 minutes from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto on the Odakyu Romancecar (reserved seats; book ahead at weekends).

Best for: hot springs, couples, anyone who wants Mount Fuji in the picture.

Hakone is the classic escape from Tokyo: hot springs, a volcanic valley, and a lake cruise with Fuji behind it on clear days. The Hakone Freepass (¥7,100 for two days from Shinjuku) covers the Odakyu train from Shinjuku and most of the transport in Hakone, including the ropeway, the Lake Ashi sightseeing boat and local buses. The Romancecar costs extra: buy a limited-express ticket on top of the pass.

The classic loop runs by train to Gora, cable car up the hill, ropeway over Owakudani (an active volcanic valley, where eggs boiled in the springs turn black), then down to Lake Ashi for the boat. End the day in a bath; day-use hot springs such as Hakone Yuryo, which also has private baths, are an option if you are not staying the night.

Tattoos: many baths still refuse visible tattoos. Private baths are the easiest way around this; see our onsen etiquette guide.

Budget: ¥7,100 for the Freepass, plus the Romancecar supplement, and ¥1,500–¥3,000 for a bath and lunch. See our Hakone guide.

Nikko: shrines in the forest

Travel time: about two hours from Asakusa on the Tobu limited express, or a similar time from Tokyo by Shinkansen and the JR Nikko Line.

Best for: ornate architecture, cedar forest, World Heritage sites.

Nikko's Toshogu Shrine is one of the most richly decorated in Japan: gold leaf, painted carvings including the famous three monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil), and a setting among tall cedars. It is busy, and still spectacular.

Rinno-ji temple and Futarasan Shrine are a short walk away. Kegon Falls, a 97-meter waterfall by Lake Chuzenji, is a bus ride up the mountain. In autumn the leaves are superb, but the mountain road is badly congested at weekends, so go early or on a weekday.

Budget: ¥2,500–¥4,000 in train fares, ¥1,600 for Toshogu, and ¥1,000–¥2,000 for lunch. See our Nikko day trip guide.

Kawaguchiko: Mount Fuji up close

Travel time: about two hours from Shinjuku by highway bus, the cheapest option, or by train.

Best for: Fuji photography and walks by the lake.

Lake Kawaguchi sits at the northern foot of Mount Fuji. On a clear morning, the mountain reflected in the lake is one of the most photographed views in Japan. The Chureito Pagoda in Fujiyoshida, about 15 minutes away by train, is the famous five-story pagoda with Fuji behind it; arrive before 8 a.m. to avoid the crowds. The area has become very busy with visitors, so early mornings and weekdays make a big difference.

You can rent a bike to ride around the lake, or visit Fuji-Q Highland if you want roller coasters with a mountain view. If you can, stay the night: the early-morning light on Fuji is the best of the day.

Budget: around ¥2,000–¥2,600 each way by highway bus, plus ¥500–¥1,000 for local transport.

Yokohama: Chinatown and the bay

Travel time: about 30 minutes from Shibuya on the Tokyu Toyoko Line.

Best for: an easy half day, food, families.

Yokohama is closer than many visitors realize. Its Chinatown, the largest in Japan, is good for dumplings and street food, and the Minato Mirai waterfront has the Cosmo Clock ferris wheel, the Red Brick Warehouses and views over the bay.

Walk along Yamashita Park, and visit the Cup Noodles Museum if you want something fun. Yokohama makes a relaxed half day when you don't want a big expedition.

Budget: under ¥1,000 in train fares, ¥1,500–¥3,000 for food.

Enoshima and the Shonan coast

Travel time: about an hour from Shinjuku on the Odakyu line, or via Kamakura on the Enoden.

Best for: the beach, surf culture, sunsets.

Combine it with Kamakura or go on its own. The island is small, with a lighthouse observation tower, the Samuel Cocking Garden, caves and seafood restaurants overlooking the sea. The Shonan coast has a relaxed surf-town feel, with board shops and beach bars.

Summer weekends are crowded. Weekdays in May or September are best.

Kawagoe: old streets near Tokyo

Travel time: about 30 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo Line.

Best for: old Japan with little travel time.

Kawagoe's Ichibangai street is lined with kurazukuri, Edo-era merchant houses built like storehouses, with thick clay walls and heavy tiled roofs. The wooden bell tower, Toki no Kane, is the town's symbol, and the lane of old-fashioned sweet shops nearby is popular with families. It is less dramatic than Nikko or Kamakura, but charming and easy. See our Kawagoe guide.

Budget: under ¥1,000 in train fares, ¥500–¥1,000 for snacks.

Day trips compared

Which one should you pick?

First trip to Japan: Kamakura, for temples, the Great Buddha and the coast in one day.

You want a hot spring: Hakone.

The best photos: Kawaguchiko on a clear morning, or Nikko in autumn.

The easiest half day: Yokohama or Kawagoe.

A beach day: Enoshima in summer.

If you are building a longer Japan itinerary, fit one or two day trips into your Tokyo days rather than adding extra nights elsewhere.

FAQ

Can you do a day trip from Tokyo without a JR Pass? Yes. Most day trips use regional lines that take an IC card or a cheap ticket. The JR Pass is for long-distance travel, and Tokyo day trips rarely justify one.

What's the best day trip from Tokyo for Mount Fuji views? Hakone, from the ropeway or the Lake Ashi boat, or Kawaguchiko, from the lakeshore or the Chureito Pagoda. Both need clear weather, so check the forecast.

Is Hakone worth it without staying overnight? Yes. The loop takes a full day and you can fit in a bath. A night in a ryokan adds a long soak and early-morning views, but a day trip works well.

How early should I leave Tokyo? Aim to leave by 8 or 9 a.m. The shrines in Kamakura and Nikko are quieter before 10 a.m. For photos at Kawaguchiko, take an early bus or stay overnight.

Can I combine two day trips in one day? Usually not. The travel time adds up and you end up rushing. Kamakura and Enoshima are the exception, because the Enoden line connects them.

What's the cheapest day trip from Tokyo? Kawagoe or Yokohama, both under ¥1,000 return by train and easy to explore on foot.

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