Plan Your Perfect Day Trips from Tokyo: Mt. Fuji, Nikko, & More!

While Japan might be most famous for its futuristic cities, technological marvels, and fast-paced culture, sometimes it can also be nice to take a break from Tokyo and discover what Japan’s great outdoors has to offer! Just a train ride away from Tokyo, you'll find the truly iconic Mt. Fuji and many other best places to visit in Japan! 

So if you want a breath of fresh air from Tokyo or if you’re craving an outdoor adventure like no other, think about planning a day trip to Mt. Fuji or even the neighboring Nikko, Hakone and other areas and explore even more of Japan! 

One of Japan’s most famous landmarks, Mt. Fuji is a picture-perfect mountain that's even more breathtaking in person. If you want a day in your itinerary dedicated to being in nature, we cannot recommend planning a day trip to Mt. Fuji enough! 

Not sure where to start on your Mt. Fuji excursion? Why not try out these beginner-friendly day tours that will have you taking in the sights, complete with guides to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the beauty, history, and culture that Mt. Fuji has to offer! 

Get on an adventure and immerse yourself in the "must-see" local spots in the Mt. Fuji area! From the cozy and quaint Makaino farm and horse ranch where you can feed alpacas and milk the farm animals, to the Arakurayama Sengen Park which boasts an incredible panoramic view of the mountain which is guaranteed to make a few unforgettable and unexpected memories on this trip!

Enjoy a leisurely trip around the Mt. Fuji area where you can literally stop and smell the flowers while also shopping till you drop! Depending on the season, you'll visit the Kawaguchiko Oishi Park or Yagizaki Park and take in a romantic display of hydrangeas, purple vanilla, and lavender.

After, you can choose to either go to local hot springs or the Gotemba Premum Outlets where you can purchase all kinds of souvenirs, gifts, and memorabilia!

Expand your horizons and take on the seas with this novel adventure and day tour! Starting out at Hakone port, you'll board a pirate ship that will take you to Tōgenda. The excitement only continues as you go on a roundtrip cable car experience that will take your breath away and then some! Finally, you'll wrap the tour up at the iconic Shin-Sengen Shrine. 

Conquered Mt.Fuji but still looking for more? Extend your outdoor adventure by trying out these experiences both near and far from Mt. Fuji! 

One of the most popular destinations in the country, Hakone is the perfect place to go if you want a great view of Mt. Fuji while enjoying leisurely, laid-back activities!

Before you head out to Hakone, make sure you get the Hakone Freepass Voucher! What looks like a simple bus pass is actually your key to unlocking all that Hakone has to offer, while still getting huge savings! You'll be able to enjoy unlimited travel on 8 different types of transportation including the Tozan Train, Bus, and Cable Car as well as the Ropeway and Cruise! You'll also be able to enjoy great discounts at over 70 spots, including souvenir shops and more.

Perhaps what Hakone is best known for, the numerous hot springs scattered throughout the area are definitely worth the trip to Hakone on its own! The onsen hot springs in Hakone have been famous for centuries (even appearing in a ranking of Japanese hot springs from the Edo era!) and provide a number of health benefits that first-time goers may not be aware of such as improved blood circulation, detoxifying of the skin, pain relief, and overall relaxation.

Hakone already has many picturesque views of the neighboring Mt. Fuji, but you can take it to the next level by admiring Mt. Fuji while suspended high above the ground on a scenic ropeway cart! The cart can fit up to 10 people, takes roughly 30 minutes for a complete trip, and the trip also includes views of Owakudani Valley and Lake Ashinoko! 

Aside from the natural beauty that surrounds Hakone, the area is also popular as an artistic hub of local artists! Supporting artists of different mediums as well as art that comes from different time periods, if you love soaking in international creativity then the museums in Hakone are definitely a must-add to your day trip itinerary!

Some of the museums we'd recommend in the area are the Hakone Museum of Art, Open Air Museum, Venetian Glass Museum, and Pola Museum of Art! 

Shuzenji is an old-fashioned area that will give you an authentic blast from the past of what it felt like to be in Japan from decades prior. You're sure to enjoy its many hot springs, nature walks, and cultural sites! 

Looking for an outdoor adventure that isn't the usual Mt. Fuji day trip? Try the Izu Hydrangea & Shuzenji Bus Tour! Explore the Shuzenji Temple in Little Kyoto, a historically and culturally relevant hot spring resort, followed by a breathtaking stroll along Kadowaki Suspension Bridge and the Bamboo Forest Trail, culminating in a visit to the Hydrangea Garden in Izu Shiki no Hana Park to appreciate their famous double-petaled hydrangea species that grow on the Jonosaki coast. 

Atami is a beautiful coastal town that has established itself as a great destination for both tourists and locals on the search for a more relaxing atmosphere. Less than an hour’s ride from Tokyo, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of hot springs, ryokans, and more in Atami! 

You have a few convenient ways to get to Atami:

If you already have the Whole Japan pass, then, you guessed it, the JR train ride to Atami will also be covered! Simply get on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line and you’ll find yourself in Atami.

You can also book a single-journey ticket with us! Just input “From Tokyo” as your departure then “to Atami” as your destination, and fill in your preferred dates to see the trains and schedule options available. 

If you loved the hit animated movie "Your Name" or if you just enjoy watching incredible fireworks shows, then you should definitely try the Shizuoka Izu Atami Fireworks Festival & Izu Omuroyama One-day Tour! After departing from Tokyo, you'll take a scenic cable car up Mount Omuro (the inspiration for the famous crater location in "Your Name"!), have a leisurely tour around Laimya Shring and the Ginza Shopping District, and capping your day off with Atami Fireworks Festival.

The 2024 Atami fireworks display has been scheduled for July 26, August 5, 8, 18 and 23, starting at 8:20PM. Their schedule changes yearly, so you can refer to Atami’s official website (you should be able to use Google Translate to find the dates) to better plan your trip! 

Home to the Toshogu Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Nikko is definitely a destination you should go to if you enjoy experiencing a blend of history, nature, and spirituality on your travels.

Want to explore Nikko at your own pace? Get the NIKKO PASS, a special discounted ticket that grants you unlimited 2 or 4-day passes to the trains and buses in Nikko! Just flash the NIKKO PASS to the staff and enjoy your hassle-free ride. There’s also a digital version of the NIKKO PASS that you can check out here.

That's right, even just the train that takes you from Tokyo to Nikko can be an adventure on its own! You can book your single-journey or point-to-point tickets on the Spacia X here, simply put in “Asakusa” as your departure point, then put “Tobu Nikko” as your destination. 

You can also refer to our in-depth guide to riding the brand new Spacia X to learn more.

Some of our favorite parts of riding Spacia X include the premium "Cockpit Lounge" with its own coffee shop, the option to book your own private suite, and very spacious, comfortable, and modern seating options at accessible prices.

Once you get to Nikko, you can try out these activities in the area! 

Pumped up to take your Japan trip out of the city? Don’t forget your travel essentials!