Tokyo is a world-class town. But when you wish to have a destroy from the fast paced town existence, believe this type of day journeys from Tokyo to one in every of seven within sight landmarks.
Those puts close to Tokyo vary from a very easy half-hour to 120 mins by means of teach or ferry. Absolute best of all, those puts are stunning in all 4 seasons. So, get away your JR Cross or Passmo/Suica playing cards and get able for some a laugh!
Absolute best Day Journeys from Tokyo
The easiest way to enjoy those Tokyo day journeys is by means of teach, however in case you are up for the problem, you’ll be able to hire a automobile as properly. It is going to provide you with extra freedom and versatility to discover those superb puts.
In case you are in search of additional information on Tokyo, learn our Tokyo go back and forth information at The Absolute best Issues to do in Tokyo, Japan
1. Kamakura
From 1185 to 1333, Kamakura was once the de facto capital of Japan. There’s a explanation why this town is referred to as a “Little Kyoto” – it’s bursting with historical past, tradition, and non secular constructions. With 65 temples and 19 shrines, it is extremely simple to get temple/shrine overload. Because of this, it’s best possible to restrict the choice of temple/shrine tours to 3 an afternoon.
If you happen to’re simplest in Kamakura for someday, 3 very particular non secular websites are properly value a seek advice from. For a better information of Kamakura learn: Issues to do in Kamakura Japan – The Final Beach Break out
Hasa-dera Temple
The temple was once established in 736 and is legendary for its 11-headed picket statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The pretty grounds come with ponds stuffed with colourful fish, and beautiful landscaped spaces.
Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine
One of the distinctive shrines in Japan, Zeniarai Benzaiten dates again to 1185. Guests come right here to scrub their cash within the shrine’s particular waters. In line with legend, if you spent your washed cash, your success and fortune would multiply. Even if the money-washing legend is an simple draw, the shrine’s website online could be very particular: you get entry to it by means of passing thru a tunnel cave.
Kotoku-in Temple
The most well liked temple in Kamakura, the Giant Buddha (Daibutsu) is so connected to town itself that the statue is prominently featured on tourism applications and magazines. The 44-foot bronze Daibutsu was once built within the mid-Thirteenth century and has survived earthquakes, fires, and war.
Kamakura may be well-known for very good buying groceries and all kinds of global cuisines. If you happen to’re having a look to take a look at a neighborhood strong point, Kamakura is legendary for shirasu – whitebait. There are lots of tactics to devour shirasu – dried, uncooked, or boiled. If that is out of doors your convenience stage, something is sure – at Kamakura, you’ll have numerous scrumptious choices to make a choice from.
- Absolute best Suited For: The ones excited by exploring conventional Jap tradition and historical past.
- From Tokyo: It’s simply over an hour by means of teach from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station.
2. Enoshima Island
This fascinating island is attached by means of a 600-meter bridge to the mainland. The island has a romantic backstory: a fierce dragon who have been terrorizing the native villagers renounced his evil tactics to win the affection of the gorgeous goddess Benzaiten. Enoshima Island is a testomony to their love.
The dragon theme is woven all through the island, from the carved statues to the ornate lamp posts. There’s even a shrine devoted to the dragon, together with a temple devoted to the goddess.
Sea Caves
Even if it comes to a number of units of steep stairs, probably the most best possible puts to seek advice from is the ocean caves. For ¥500, ($3.50 USD) workforce will provide you with a candle to discover the caves and notice historical statues. The candle isn’t in reality important as there may be abundant lighting fixtures. The entire identical, it’s a a laugh contact that provides to the sense of journey and it’s small element that younger guests in reality love.
On the furthermost cave, a contemporary dragon statue stands in welcome, dramatically lit in sunglasses of pink and sizzling red. Kitschy? Sure. However It’s nonetheless beautiful cool.
For this type of compact island, a outing to Enoshima famously comes to numerous bodily task. If you happen to love Jap meals, this can be a nice likelihood to paintings up an urge for food and get your aerobic in. Enoshima comes with HUNDREDS of stairs.
Don’t really feel like taking the steps, or have already got the body of a Greek god? The island has a tiered price ticket gadget, and for between ¥200-800 yen ($1.50 – $8USD) visitors can use escalators to get entry to quite a lot of sights. The cost of tickets is determined by how prime up you want to move.
Given its romantic historical past, it’s simple to grasp the island’s reputation with younger fans. The perspectives from the highest are breathtaking, and on a transparent day, Enoshima Island has completely surprising perspectives of Mt. Fuji.
Meals to Check out
Whilst there are many sit-down eating places at the island, it may be a a laugh enjoy to only graze on the many meals stalls. As with within sight Kamakura, shirasu (white bait) is an Enoshima strong point. There are a couple of tactics to experience shirasu: in a sizzling croquette, atop a rice bowl, or (gulp!) as a comfortable cream in a cone.
- Absolute best Suited For: The ones in search of a one-of-a-kind island enjoy. Because of the island’s geography, those that are quite lively will benefit from the enjoy essentially the most.
- From Tokyo: It’s an hour from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station. From Kamakura Station, take the scenic Enoden Line teach to Enoshima Station (roughly 25 mins). Apply the well-marked indicators and stroll around the bridge to Enoshima Island.
Misaki and Jogashima Island
Are you a maguro (tuna) lover? If that is so, you’ll love Misaki. The fishing the town is understood for having one in every of Japan’s peak tuna hauls. No matter dish you need to take a look at, relaxation confident – the standard might be top-notch.
Misaki may be recognized for its fish marketplace. Whilst it’s at the moment closed because of COVID, guests most often have the option to view the tuna public sale procedure by way of the glass home windows available on the market’s 2nd ground.
Jogashima Island
Close to Misaki Harbor is Jogashima Island, out there both by way of bridge or a brief boat experience.
While Enoshima Island is a vacationer vacation spot stuffed with caves and must-see temples, Jogashima offers off a at ease getaway vibe. The in moderation populated island has a number of very good mountain climbing trails. Probably the most scenic of the ones trails will take you by means of well-maintained lighthouses and alongside seashores of volcanic rock.
The ones whose temperament is extra mellow can make a selection to easily experience recent breezes and ocean perspectives whilst picnicking.
Meals to take a look at: It could be a disgrace to visit Misaki and NOT get their tuna. Whilst Misaki is most famed for its tuna, as a fishing village ALL of the seafood is very good. An improbable set menu that incorporates miso soup, a bowl of rice and tuna, and inexperienced tea will most likely run roughly ¥1600 ($11).
- Absolute best Suited For: Outside fanatics and maguro fans.
- From Tokyo: It is going to take you about 90 mins to get from Tokyo Station to Misakiguchi Station. Out of doors the station, take a taxi or the NR 2 Bus to Misaki Port (roughly 18 mins).
- From Misaki Port to Jogashima: Jogashima Island can also be accessed by means of a 5 minute boat experience from Misaki Port or a 2.2-kilometer stroll around the bridge.
Yokosuka
Yokosuka has a protracted historical past as a Sailor the town. At the start, Yokosuka was once one in every of 4 distinguished shipyards for the Jap Imperial Army. In 1884, the Yokosuka Naval District was once built for the protection of Japan.
At the present time, town hosts each the Japan Maritime Self Protection Pressure and the U.S. Army. On account of the Sailor affect, two must-try culinary specialties to take a look at when in Yokosuka are Kaigun (Army) Curry and the “Army burger”.
Whaaaaaat? A burger as a culinary vacation spot merchandise? You best possible imagine it. And Japan’s tackle a U.S. Army burger is little short of beautiful.
On U.S. Army ships, Wednesdays are affectionately referred to as “Burger Day”.
Kaigun Curry
As for Kaigun Curry, it’s fed on by means of Sailors aboard Japan Maritime Self-Protection ships each and every Friday. Posters within Keikyu Line teach compartments continuously function tourism campaigns highlighting those two unique “Sailor” dishes.
Whilst it’s a lot more uncomplicated to get recent merchandise at sea lately, securing provides to feed a hungry workforce for lengthy sessions at sea was once way more tough within the outdated days of boating. While Western Sailors died because of scurvy, many Jap Sailors died because of B1 deficiency (beriberi) led to by means of a loss of thiamine. With out this an important diet, Sailors would possibly show off signs similar to psychological confusion, lack of muscle serve as, and paralysis.
Kanehiro Takaki, a super Jap naval clinical officer, performed medical experiments and discovered that the indications have been diet-related. The Imperial Army seen the meals different Navies have been consuming and took a web page from British Sailors – who had taken the speculation from India – in consuming curry, a dish stuffed with thiamine.
Jap Sailors got here to like the dish, and taken the recipe again house. Through the years, Kaigun Curry established itself as a well-liked dish. Amusing reality: every Japan Maritime Self-Protection Pressure send has its personal curry recipe.
Both pre- or post-curry/burger, go back and forth to Mikasa Park and take a look at the Jap battleship Mikasa. An iconic battleship, the Mikasa participated in numerous primary conflicts, and is the one pre-dreadnought battleship closing lately.
As one would possibly be expecting from a Sailor the town, there are many retail outlets in Yokosuka that promote Jap and U.S. Sailor-inspired products, from squadron patches to Kaigun curry packets.
- Absolute best Suited For: Historical past and nautical buffs.
- From Tokyo: It’s roughly an hour teach experience from Tokyo Station to Yokosuka Chuo.
Chiba’s Nokogiriyama
Even if Chiba Prefecture is most famed for Disneyland, why now not enjoy an unique cultural treasure off the crushed monitor by means of heading for Nokogiriyama?
The primary Buddhist temple was once commissioned at Nokogiriyama over 1300 years in the past. At a top of 31.05 meters (101.8 ft), the Diabetsu (Buddha) at Nokogiriyama is the tallest Buddha Statue in Japan.
Past its top, the Buddha is hanging in that it was once carved into the mountain in 1783. Because the Buddha of therapeutic, the determine has a steady expression and holds a medication bowl in his hand.
A adventure to Nokogiriyama is a component religious pilgrimage, and phase embracing your internal Indiana Jones. Learn all about my enjoy at Nokogiriyama and an Stumble upon With Chiba’s Nice Stone Buddha
Takai Arhats – Enlightened Disciples
The strolling paths at the mountain are coated with the stone figures of Takai Arhats (enlightened disciples). Unfortunately, a number of of the Takai Arhats had been broken or destroyed. A few of this has been because of the passing of time and publicity to nature. And one of the crucial harm – the place it’s evident the statue was once beheaded – was once because of anti-Buddhist actions all the way through the Meiji Recovery.
Those that are exceptionally have compatibility will benefit from the problem of a strenuous hike up the mountain, the place they’re going to be rewarded by means of surprising nature and wonderful perspectives. At a scenic omit referred to as “Hell’s Top”, the adventurous can challenge to a railing on the fringe of a cliff and take footage.
Have completely 0 hobby in a hike up a 300-meter mountain? Take the cable automobile from the bottom to the highest for ¥500. Notice: even supposing the cable automobile takes guests to the highest, there may be nonetheless numerous strolling up/down steep stairs to get to the most well liked viewpoints.
- Absolute best Suited For: Outside adventurers with sturdy legs who’re keen to place in effort to get to a in reality surprising cultural treasure.
- From Tokyo: The easiest way to get entry to it’s to take a teach from Tokyo to Keikyu-Kurihama. Stroll the quick distance to Kurihama Harbor and catch a 40-minute ferry to Chiba (¥1600 round-trip). The ferries run continuously, are spotlessly blank, and are a a laugh strategy to pass Tokyo Bay.
Kurihama
Kurihama, a part of Kanagawa Prefecture, is a wonderful position to spend a morning or afternoon. Kanagawa is understood for 2 mythical arrivals: U.S. Army Commodore Matthew Perry and Godzilla.
At Perry Park, a easy monument can pay tribute to Commodore Perry’s arrival in Japan and the 1854 signing of The Treaty of Kanagawa. Up till the signing, Japan had spent two centuries in a state of voluntary seclusion. The signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa led to Japan opening its borders to overseas business.
It’s exhausting to overstate the importance of this quiet, unassuming position reverse Kurihama Harbor. And but this file gave upward thrust to what would change into trendy Japan. Learn extra: Thoughts-Blowing Details about Japan
Kurihama Flower Park
Lower than a 20-minute stroll from Perry Park is Kurihama Flower Park, a 144-acre oasis the place plants bloom year-round. In case you are there in April or Might, the poppies are particularly beautiful. Loads of hydrangeas will praise guests who go back and forth in June or July in bloom. Pass in September or October, and the fields are carpeted by means of 1,000,000 cosmos plants.
Godzilla
On the peak of the hill stands what’s arguably Kurihama Flower Park’s most famed appeal: a 9-meter (27-foot) Godzilla slide. What’s the “King of Monsters” doing at a ravishing flower park?
In line with the unique 1954 Godzilla movie, Godzilla first made land at within sight Tatarahama seashore. A slide was once firstly built on the seashore, however through the years degraded and had to be got rid of.
Then again, native companies and personal people ignored the liked monster and raised finances to carry Godzilla again to their group. The present Godzilla slide at Kurihama Flower Park was once unveiled in 1999 and has two English phrases carved at the base: GODZILLA RETURNS.
Even if simplest kids beneath 12 can move up Godzilla and slide down his monumental tail, he’s nonetheless value a seek advice from.
- Absolute best Suited For: The ones excited by historical past and politics (Perry Park), and the ones in search of a soothing afternoon at a wonderful park. Even if the ascent up Kurihama Flower Park is steep, for a couple of hundred yen the park’s “Flower Educate” will delivery visitors the place they need to move.
- From Tokyo: It’s roughly a 75 minute teach to both Keikyu Kurihama station. From there, it’s a very easy 15-20 minute stroll to Kurihama Flower Park or Perry Park. Each parks are without spending a dime.
Yokohama
Yokohama is lower than 20 miles from Tokyo. Even if thought to be a part of the higher Tokyo space, Yokohama for sure has its personal persona. It has the glory of being the second greatest town in Japan.
In 1859 it become probably the most first ports within the nation open to overseas business. As such, Yokohama has an overly city, global popularity.
For evidence, glance no additional than Yokohama’s Chinatown, which is likely one of the greatest on this planet. The brightly coloured, bustling .2-kilometer sq. space options a number of retail outlets and eating places alternatives to enjoy other types of Chinese language delicacies. Some of the greatest attracts at Yokohama’s Chinatown is a forestall at Kanteibyo temple, devoted to the Chinese language god of prosperity and trade.
Different widespread spaces to try whilst in Yokohama are the historical Pink Brick Warehouses close to the harbor. At the start used as customs structures, they now carry out the serve as of a shopping center and tournament venue.
Cup of Noodles Museum
To enjoy one in every of Japan’s largest culinary exports, head to the Cup of Noodles museum.
Put up International Warfare II, Momofuku Ando invented the cup of noodles in 1958 so that you can supply affordable, flavorful meals for a contemporary staff. His invention would move directly to change into one in every of Japan’s peak cultural exports.
Now not simplest are you able to be informed the historical past of this invention, for ¥400 yen (2.50 USD) you’ll be able to choose from various substances to design your personal bespoke cup of noodles. It’s a a laugh memento to take house.
- Absolute best Suited For: Those that love Chinatown or wish to humble brag about developing their very own instant-noodles package deal.
- From Tokyo: Catch probably the most many trains from Tokyo. The adventure to Yokohama will take lower than half-hour.
Bonus Tokyo Day Travel – Nikko
Whilst Dave and I visited Nikko on a four-day outing from Tokyo, many of us pop into Nikko for a single-day outing. With speedy trains leaving Tokyo, it will possibly simply be visited in a brief day. If you happen to power, it’s even higher to discover one of the crucial peak puts in Nikko.
Most of the people come to Nikko to peer its superb UNESCO International Heritage Websites, the Nikko Temples and it is likely one of the best possible puts in Japan to benefit from the fall colors.
The #1 appeal in Nikko is the Tosho-gu Shrine devoted to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tokugawa Ieyasu was once essentially the most tough guy in Japan in 1600. He was once named Japan’s first Shogun after uniting the rustic from a fierce civil warfare. His Mausoleum is situated throughout the Tosho-gu Shrine and is likely one of the maximum necessary shrines in all of Japan.
Proper subsequent door to Tosho-gu Shrine is the Buddhist temple of Rinnoji. Be sure that to take a look at the Zen Meditation enjoy on this temple. If you wish to plan an extended itinerary in Nikko see our information at Entire Nikko Japan Shuttle Information – 18 Issues to do and Puts to See
- Absolute best Suited For: Folks excited by Japaneses historical past and tradition and to do a little outside adventures.
- From Tokyo: Catch the Tobu Categorical teach from Asakusa Station or the Tokyo Sky Tree. Nikko is situated 157 km north of Tokyo. Locals power to the area, so you’ll be able to power too should you desire.
And those are some superb day journeys from Tokyo. Japan is a shocking nation to seek advice from, so remember to get out of town to benefit from the gorgeous and various geographical region. It has extra outside areas and forests that you just’d be expecting!
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