Short Day Trips in Tokyo
Part of the Tokyo travel guide — see every topic in All Tokyo Guides.
Tokyo's bigger day trips (Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone) have their own guides. These are closer and cheaper, most under one hour by train, and work well as a half day or a slow full day.
Yokohama
Japan's second-largest city is 25–35 minutes away by the Tokyu Toyoko line from Shibuya or by JR from Tokyo Station. Walk the harbour at Minato Mirai, ride the Yokohama Air Cabin ropeway over the water, and make your own instant noodles at the Cupnoodles Museum (about ¥500 entry, plus about ¥500 to make a cup). Yokohama Chinatown, with about 500 shops and restaurants, is Japan's largest. The waterfront looks best after dark.
Mount Takao
Mount Takao (599 m) is about 50 minutes from Shinjuku by Keio line to Takaosanguchi, for about ¥400–500. The paved Trail 1 takes about 90 minutes to the top; a cable car or chairlift cuts the climb in half. On clear winter days you can see Mount Fuji from the summit. Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu, next to the station, is a good stop on the way back. Avoid weekends in mid to late November, the busy autumn-leaf season.
Kawagoe
Kawagoe, called 'Little Edo', is about 30 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo line. Its main street is lined with old black clay-walled shop houses, and the wooden Toki no Kane bell tower rings four times a day. Kashiya Yokocho is a small lane of old-style candy shops, and the town is known for sweet potato snacks. Go on a weekday; weekends are crowded.
Chichibu and Okutama
For rivers and forest, take the Seibu Laview limited express from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu, about 80 minutes. Nearby Nagatoro has boat rides through a rocky river gorge, and Hitsujiyama Park is covered in pink moss phlox from mid-April to early May. Okutama, about 2 hours west of Shinjuku by JR, has gorge walks, a big lake and limestone caves.
Short Day Trips at a glance
| Yokohama | 25–35 min from Shibuya or Tokyo Station |
|---|---|
| Mount Takao | About 50 min from Shinjuku; 599 m; Trail 1 about 90 min up |
| Kawagoe | About 30 min from Ikebukuro; best on weekdays |
| Chichibu | About 80 min by Seibu Laview from Ikebukuro |
| Okutama | About 2 hours by JR from Shinjuku |
| Pay with | Suica or PASMO; only the Laview needs a reserved seat |
| Best time | Spring and autumn; clear winter days for Fuji views from Takao |