Japan’s major cities offer an endless array of exciting activities, restaurants, and excursions. It can be tempting to only visit Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. You can easily fill up a two-week trip in just one of those cities alone! But there is so much more of Japan to be discovered. In this guide, we’ll give you a variety of Japan day trip ideas that will allow you to stay in the major cities while also getting to explore some lesser-known spots. From sand dunes to a volcano island to a bamboo forest, these are the 14 best day trips from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
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Getting Around Japan
If you’re planning to take the train around Japan to explore different cities, we recommend getting the JR Pass. The pass costs ¥50,000 for 7 days, ¥80,000 for 14 days, and ¥100,000 for 21 days. It includes unlimited rides on most JR trains, including some bullet trains, limited express trains, and local JR lines across the country. We’ve included when the JR pass is accepted for each of these Japan day trip ideas so that you can get the most bang for your buck!
Japan Day Trip Ideas from Tokyo
Whether you’re looking to hang with monkeys, soak in a traditional onsen, or see Mt. Fuji, you can’t go wrong with any of these unusual day trips from Tokyo.
Tokyo Day Trips for Nature Lovers
Aogashima Volcano Island – If you need a break from the constant lights and sounds of Tokyo, you can stay on an extremely remote volcanic crater. This is actually even better as an overnight trip. If you do plan to stay overnight, you can lodge at the free campsite or one of their few B&Bs. The stargazing here is out of this world, and you might even spot the Milky Way! To get here, you’ll need to take a one-hour flight to Hachijojima, then either a 2.5-hour ferry or a 20-minute helicopter ride. This is a day trip that needs to be fully planned out, including transportation reservations, since it’s so remote. Accessibility is also highly dependent on weather conditions.
Mt. Takao – Calling all animal lovers! Head to Mt. Takao’s Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden. Animal keepers often share stories about the monkeys and their social dynamics. After, treat yourself to spectacular views of Mt. Fuji while sipping on a cold beer at Beer Mount. A train ride to Mt. Takao takes about 1 hour from Tokyo. Most of the journey is covered by the JR pass, but the final leg from JR Takao Station to Takaosanguchi on the Keio Line costs around ¥140.
Kamakura – Surfing in Japan? Sign us up! Kamakura is Japan’s seaside gem. There are several beautiful beaches to choose from. Pro Tip: Look for sea glass along the shores as locals believe it brings good luck! It’s best to visit during the summer, and we recommend visiting in mid-July when you can enjoy the Kamakura Fireworks Festival. While in Kamakura, you should check out the Great Buddha, a massive bronze statue in Kōtoku-in Temple. Grab some matcha in a local teahouse and walk through the bamboo grove. Kamakura is 1 hour by train from Tokyo and is covered by the JR pass.
Tokyo Day Trips for Families/Kids
Nikko – Looking for a fun place to bring your kids? This is one of the best day trips from Tokyo for families. The Kinugawa Onsen area is home to the Edo Wonderland theme park, where townspeople and even tourists dress in costumes and replicate Japanese life from hundreds of years ago. It’s a fabulously interactive way to teach your children about Japanese history. You can even check out the local theaters to see a live-action show that includes magic, comedy, or martial arts. While in Nikko, you can also check out the Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or Kegon Falls for a more nature-filled day. Keep your eyes peeled throughout Nikko for a chance to see Japanese macaques, a.k.a. snow monkeys! Nikko is just a 2-hour train ride from Tokyo. Only the Utsonomiya route is fully covered by the JR pass.
Yokohama – Our favorite activity in Yokohama is the Cup Noodles Museum, where you can design your own instant ramen cup. What a cool souvenir to take home! You can also taste flavors from all around the world at their Noodles Bazaar. Yokohama also offers the Sankei-en Traditional Garden, a breathtaking place to visit during cherry blossom season or during autumn leaf season when the leaves change color. For dinner, head to Yokohama Chinatown (one of the largest Chinatowns in the world). Pro Tip: Don’t miss the night views from the Landmark Tower Sky Garden. To get to Yokohama from Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Line or JR Yokosuka Line to Yokohama Station. This is a quick 30-minute ride, making it one of the easiest day trips from Tokyo by train. It is covered by the JR pass.
Hakone – Go from a relaxing soak in the onsen (hot springs) to a pirate ship cruise across Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji as your backdrop. Or explore the Hakone Open-Air museum with interactive art installations that will feel like you’re walking through a dreamscape. You can also float above active volcanoes on the Hakone Ropeway. A Hakone Japan day trip takes approximately 1.5- 2 hours by train each way. With your JR pass, you’ll be covered from Tokyo to Odawara via Shinkansen, but you’ll need to get the Hakone Free Pass to explore Hakone’s attractions. We also recommend this guided bus tour.
Japan Day Trip Ideas from Kyoto
Kyoto and Osaka aren’t far apart, so lots of these Japan day trip ideas can apply to both cities.
Kyoto Day Trips for History Lovers
Kinosaki Onsen – Step back in time and experience temple legends, basalt caves, and relaxing hot springs in this mountain town. It’s sort of a mix between Nikko and Hakone. This town is especially perfect for a winter trip since you can warm up in the hot springs, partake in the ski culture, and enjoy delicious Kinosaki crab. But it’s truly beautiful year-round. Pro tip: Get a one-day onsen pass for full access. Kinosaki Onsen is only a 2.5-hour train ride from Kyoto, but you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. The journey is included in the JR pass.
Uji – Green tea lovers rejoice! Uji is the capital of green tea, making it the best place to grab a cup and bring some back as a souvenir. Start your day trip in Uji by enjoying a cup of tea at Tsuen Tea House, dating all the way back to 1160. Later, you can partake in tea workshops and roll tea leaves or grind your own matcha by hand. At hotspots like Wamucha Cafe and Nakamura Tokichi, you can try all things matcha, including noodles and parfaits! When you’re all green tea’d out, head over to the Daikichiyama observation deck for a stunning and mostly tourist-free view of Uji. With your JR pass, you can travel to Uji for free on a 20-30 minute train ride.
Kyoto Day Trips for Nature & Animal Lovers
Nara – This is one of the most popular day trips in Japan. Nara is practically synonymous with its Deer Park, where more than 1,200 wild deer roam. You can even buy shika senbei (deer crackers) to feed them – but they must bow to you first! We recommend engaging with female deer, who are friendlier than males, especially during mating season. For a tranquil experience, walk through Yoshiki-en Gardens to take in the seasonal blooms. For food, try kakinoha-zushi, which is a local specialty of sushi in persimmon leaf. You can also check out a mochi-pounding performance at Nakatanidou. For craft shops, visit the merchant district of Naramachi. This day trip to Nara only takes 45 minutes each way from Kyoto, and is covered by the JR pass on the JR Nara Line. You can alternatively enjoy this guided morning tour from Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Experience this picturesque forest filled with bamboo stalks that tower over 65 feet tall. We recommend arriving earlier in the day to beat the crowds and take in this natural beauty in a more intimate setting before the crowd arrives. In spring, you’ll find the cherry blossoms mingling with the bamboo. In autumn, the maples will add a fiery red contrast. And in winter, though there’s less color, there is a sense of greater tranquility with the frostiness of the air and fewer tourists. Not too far up the mountain, you’ll find a wild group of macaques at Monkey Park Iwatayama. Enjoy them in their natural habitat while taking in the panoramic views. Taking the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, it will be about a 20-minute ride, and it is covered with your pass.
Japan Day Trip Ideas from Osaka
Whether you’re an adventurous soul ready to sandboard down the dunes of Tottori or a foodie ready to fill their body with enough Kobe beef to last a lifetime, you’ll have a blast on these day trips from Osaka.
Osaka Day Trips for Adventure
Tottori Sand Dunes – Ride a camel upon the dunes, or sandboard down them at the Tottori Sand Dunes. Or head to the Sand Museum, which showcases intricate sand sculptures. To get here, take the JR San’in Line to Tottori Station, which is about a 2.5-hour ride. From there, you’ll need to take a 20-minute bus ride to get to the dunes. While the JR pass covers the journey, reserving a seat is recommended. Pro Tip: Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to skip the hottest points of the day. The visitor center also offers rental boots to traverse through the sand.
Osaka Day Trips for Nature & Animal Lovers
Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) – This is not the easiest or quickest Japan day trip, but it’s worth it for the animal lovers and history fans! The island is home to hundreds of rabbits who will expect food from you. You’ll need to purchase pellets at the port if you wish to feed them. For history buffs, there’s the Poison Gas Museum, which was used for WWII secret poison gas production. Pro Tip: There’s only one cafe on site, so we recommend bringing lunch. To get here, take the JR Shinkansen to Mihara, then Mihara to Tadanoumi on the JR Kure Line. This part of the journey takes about 2+ hours and is covered by the JR pass. Then board a 15-minute ferry from the port to Okunoshima, costing ¥310 each way. But check the schedule since the Rabbit Line ferry runs directly from Mihara on alternate weekends.
Minoo Park – Take a 30-minute train ride from Osaka into a lush forest park with a breathtaking 108-foot waterfall. The “hike” to the falls is very easy, even for young kids. Mid-November is a lovely time to visit when the fall foliage is in bloom. Stop by one of the trail vendors to try momiji tempura, a battered maple leaf snack, which is positively delicious! You’re also likely to see monkeys throughout the park – just don’t touch or feed them. The route here is not included in the JR pass, but the journey isn’t expensive. From Umeda on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line, travel to Ishibashi-Handai-Mae, then transfer to the Hankyu Minoo Line to Minoo Station. It’s a 5-10 minute walk from here to the park entrance and then another 45 minute walk to the waterfall.
Kobe – In just 30 minutes, you can travel from Osaka to Kobe and delight in the melt-in-your-mouth steak. For city and sea views, take the Ropeway to Japan’s largest herb garden. Sip on some herbal teas, enjoy a foot bath, and take in the views. Finally, head down to Harborland to hop on the waterfront Ferris wheel. To get here, take the JR Special Rapid Service on the Kobe Line to Shin-Kobe. This is covered by the JR Pass. The ropeway does cost an extra ¥1,500 round-trip, but it includes garden admission. We also recommend this guided tour of Kobe.
Planning for a Japan Day Trip
These tips will make your excursions seamless, no matter which day trip you choose.
- Leave early – Train travel can eat up a lot of your day. Leaving early allows room for mistakes, unexpected stops, and you can beat some of the crowds.
- Triple check the train times – Missing a train could (pardon the pun) derail your whole day! You can check the train times online, in apps, and at the stations.
- Pack a portable charger – We have had some harrowing moments in our travels due to a lack of phone battery.
- Print out your itinerary and any necessary tickets or documents = It’s ideal to print out all of your documents at home before your trip, but many hotels have a printer you can use in a pinch, though we don’t recommend relying on it. In the event your phone and/or portable charger dies, it’s helpful to have any train tickets or other documents ready to go.
- Bring a day bag – We recommend a light bag like this one to carry a few essentials. Pack water, snacks, a portable charger, cash, a rain jacket, and some entertainment for the journey.
- Stay near a train station if possible – Staying near a train station will make your day trip so much easier! You won’t have to worry about transport to a train station, and you’ll have a short walk back to your lodging after a long day. If you’re booking a day trip with a tour company, you can also check out the pick-up location(s) ahead of time and choose a hotel nearby. Tour companies often pick up right at a hotel, and if you can stay at that specific one, it’s life-saving!
The key here is to think about your future self. You might be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning, but after a full day of travel and sightseeing, you’ll want to make the return process as easy as possible for yourself. Bringing a change of clothes and selecting a return train that’s not too late will give you comfort and peace of mind at the end of your day trip.
No matter which Japan day trip you’re planning to take, you’ll have an incredible experience. If you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of Japan, we recommend checking out Mt. Takao from Tokyo, Arahiyama Bamboo Forest from Kyoto, or Minoo Park from Osaka. To see some animals during your Japan day trip, check out Mt. Takao from Tokyo, Nara from Kyoto, or Okunoshima from Osaka. And for a more off-the-beaten-path city, visit Yokohama from Tokyo, Uji from Kyoto, or Kobe from Osaka. If you enjoyed learning about day tours in Japan, check out our post on the most unique things to do and see in Tokyo.
