10 Day Trips From Tokyo Featuring Mt Fuji, Free-Flow Crab Buffets, Flower Fields & Waterfalls

If you’ve already completed Tokyo’s top attractions like the teamLAB borderless museum, Street Karting along Akihabara and of course every animation fan favourite, the Studio Ghibli Museum, a day trip out of the city is next on the list! 

We all know Japan’s public transportation can be pretty confusing if you’re not a native speaker, especially in the outskirts of the city. But that shouldn’t stop you from exploring the beauty of the countryside. Here are a couple of transport options for those embarking on day trips outside of Tokyo.

If you prefer to drive and explore the city at your own time, opting for car rental could be just the solution for you. It’s convenient and can be more economical if you’re travelling in a group.

A day tour is the perfect solution if you prefer to have the itinerary all planned out for you. Inclusive of round trip transportation from a central meet-up location and a local guide, you just need to show up and enjoy the day with activities and logistics planned out for you.

With the transportation settled, here are 10 popular day trip destinations from Tokyo to check out! 

When you think of iconic Japan landscapes, what comes to mind almost immediately is the majestic Mount Fuji! Your day trip out from Tokyo should definitely include the best of the Fuji area starting with a visit to Lake Kawaguchi, one of the BEST Fuji viewing spots. 

After which, head to Oshino Hakkai, a collection of 8 ponds that formed from the melted ice from Mount Fuji. Visit in autumn and you’ll be greeted with a beautiful maple corridor! Of course, not forgetting the Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway for the most incredible experience and view. For the shopaholics, you can also make a visit to Gotemba Outlets where you can do some quick shopping! With over 200 stores, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Hakone is another extremely popular day trip destination outside of Tokyo. In fact, another way to check out Mount Fuji is on board a pirate ship along Lake Ashinoko! Cruise along the calm waters and take in the scenic views of vast green landscapes all around. 

With so much to explore in Hakone, many prefer to spend at least 2 days there. Of course, you can’t leave without checking out the famous Torii of Peace in Hakone Shrine, a red torii gate seemingly floating on Lake Ashi. Also a must-visit is the Hakone Ropeway to enjoy the views of the lush landscapes below you.

Your Japanese winter adventure is not complete without the following – crab, snow and strawberries! On this day trip out of Tokyo, start off your day with a visit to the Tambara Ski Park where you’ll get to sledge and slide around fresh snow. The little ones will definitely not want to leave.

Refuel after all that playtime in the snow with an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT snow crab and deep water shrimp buffet. 

Complete your meal with a visit to the Harada Farm where you can pick fresh strawberries and eat them too. 

Enjoy the beauty of blooming flowers at the Hitachi National Seaside Park as you stroll through fields of Nanohana flowers, tulips, nemophila, and cosmos. If that’s not enough, you can stroll through one of Japan’s most famous gardens – Mito Kairakuen Park, an ancient Japanese garden. 

Enjoy a hearty all you can eat lunch before going off to pick fresh chestnuts and pears at Ibaraki’s orchard which you can even take them home as Omiyage (edible souvenirs). 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Popular all year round, the Ashikaga Flower Park is easily one of the most famous attractions in the city of Ashikaga in Tochigi prefecture. It’s about 1.5 to 2 hours from Tokyo, but making a trip there is so worth it! It’s very popular during springtime when it’s filled with the vibrant purple wisteria blooms.

Autumn season is equally just as beautiful with the different fall foliage. Besides that, during the evening time, you can catch the Ashikaga Flower Park light show, a spectacular light show consisting of approximately 3 million light bulbs!

Head south for a day and explore the calming cityside of Kamakura. Stop by the iconic Kamakura Buddha and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and soak up the wonderful scenes and atmosphere.

There are plenty of historical, cultural and scenic sights to catch in Kamakura as well like the Hasedera temple and Hokokuji bamboo garden. For the fellow foodies, make sure to walk along the streets outside of Kamakura Station for a plethora of street food! Many who visit Kamakura tend to heading to the charming offshore island Enoshima as well.

Nikko is widely known as the parting of the local Romantic Road, filled with world heritage sites nestled between lush forests. Visit the majestic Kegon Falls, one of Japan’s 3 most beautiful waterfalls and be awed. Toshogu Shrine – the country’s most decorated shrine and mausoleum house the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the distinguished founder of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan for over 2 centuries. This is one UNESCO World Heritage site not to be missed.

Photo Credit: Ikidane Nippon

 For those driving to Nikko, the highlight is the Nikko Irohazaka, a pair of winding roads between central Nikko and the mountainous Okunikko region. During fall, the roads are surrounded by autumn leaves, which makes for the most magical view!

Snow-capped alps are just one of the must-see things when you head up north. The Kamikochi scenic area is composed of the rocky mountains of Hotakadake, the clear streams of the Azusa River, and the lush riverside forests. 

Visit the Chubu Sangaku National Park and stroll across the Kappa Bridge, built over the crystal clear Azusa River. Take a leisurely hike along the Azusa River from Taisho Pon to Myojin Bridge to fully enjoy the views. Don’t worry, the terrain is mostly flat, and requires no expert hiking experience. You might even spot wild macaque monkeys along the way! 

Located just 2 hours away from Tokyo, Kiyosato Highland Park is best known for its rolling hills and scenic views of the surrounding mountains.  Pick some freshly grown fruit from the Yamanashi Fruit Farm and even take home the yummiest grapes and peaches. 

Head to the Herb Garden Travel Diary where you can stroll through beautiful flower fields before settling down for an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu buffet! 

You’ve seen it on the hit reality series Terrace House, it’s now time to visit Karuizawa for yourself! Visit the picturesque Kumoba Pond, go shopping at the Mitsui Outlet Park before taking a hike at the beautiful Shiraito Falls. Also drop by the town of Kyu-Karuizawa, a charming romantic shopping street with eclectic trinkets and delicious food stalls!

Don’t forget these other Tokyo essentials :